In biz, never forget who helped you start – Apple Conlu-Veloso

Technically, Apple Conlu-Veloso and her sisters started the branding of Swannie’s in 2018. “We were suppose to start selling cooked food back then to help fund the hospitalization of our mother,” she said. But “we weren’t able to really pursue it until ECQ started.”

But during the lockdown, “I saw the opportunity to cater to the needs of my neighbors and later on, I catered to neighboring villages and nearby areas.”

Aside from Apple, the other women behind Swannie’s include her sister and their mom.

Apple didn’t really spend a lot to start the business. “Let’s say a total of PhP50,000… including the chest type freezer, which is about half of my capital.”

It helped that her family was supportive of her. “They really help and push me to do more because they saw the potential and they see that I am happy with what I’m doing,” Apple said, adding with a smile: “Well, anything about food makes me happy.”

Looking back, though, going into business was a path she was going to take.

“I grew up with my mom baking all sorts of cakes and pastries and selling them, so this food business is not really new to me,” she said.

There remain challenges – e.g. shortage of supply, and rapid and sometimes extreme price changes. But “I learned to find new suppliers so if supplier 1 does not have the items that I need, I have supplier 2 and 3 to go to, and so on and so forth.”

She also still has her work, “so juggling the business on the side and still doing mg full-time work is really exhausting,” Apple said.

But that this business is profitable is something Apple said is a must-know, definitely.

And for people who may want to also open their business, what tips can Apple give?

“It’s best to find a supplier who can give you items and do consignment for a start (but please do not abuse them). This way, you will not shell out a big amount right away. Until such time na makaipon ka na, then you will be able to buy your own goods,” she said.

She also recommends not burning bridges as much as possible “especially to the people who helped you start the business. The people who helped you when you were starting are the first people who believed in you. Do not put that into waste because of money.”And lastly: “Always value your family and… friends. And above all, God first.”

Interested to check out the offerings of Swannie’s? Head to FB: @Swannie’s and IG: @swannie.s. Or call/text 09231963487 or 09153482332.