For Michael Sta. Maria, success didn’t begin with software. It started with sacrifice.

Long before he led a growing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software company serving clients across the country, Sta. Maria was a young professional from Norzagaray, Bulacan who spent many years working away from home, missing important family moments in pursuit of stability.

“I really wanted to give back the investment and time to my family, as well as the time to myself. I never thought it would be possible. Before, I would doubt myself, but eventually, after almost ten years, we now see that, while we struggled in the past, we are now established and can run the business well and continue to grow it,” he shares on the latest episode of ROI’d to Success, the podcast collaboration between PLDT Enterprise and Hustleshare.

That turning point came in 2016, when Sta. Maria decided to take a leap of faith and build something from the ground up. The result was Northeast Business Solutions, Inc. (NBSI), a Bulacan-based software company specializing in timekeeping, human resource management systems (HRMS), and payroll.

What started as a homegrown solution to a common business problem — reliable and affordable payroll software — soon evolved into an enterprise payroll and timekeeping solution catering to small and even very large-sized companies. By 2018, NBSI had successfully launched its product in the Philippine market. But the story behind the code is as powerful as the tech itself.

Building a Business with Heart

For Sta. Maria, NBSI was never just about growth, it was about reclaiming time, not only for himself but for others in his community.

Coming from a humble background, he poured himself into mastering software development. His early career took him far from home, requiring long hours and frequent travel. But with his family’s unwavering support, he eventually found the courage to strike out on his own.

Sta. Maria also believes that no business thrives in isolation, emphasizing that, “It is very important to listen to our team. I’ve learned a lot over the past few years about the business from my people. Our employees are truly our ambassadors. And, of course, how they represent themselves is a direct reflection of our company.”

Today, NBSI serves as a pillar of local employment in Norzagaray, providing opportunities for young professionals to pursue careers in tech.

“My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: If you plan to start your own business, be prepared for challenges—they are part of the process. But you will reap the rewards later. You can do it,” he adds.

Tech, Trust, and a Reliable Connection

NBSI’s growth, however, didn’t happen in isolation. Behind its ability to deliver reliable solutions to clients lies a strong digital backbone provided by PLDT Enterprise’s iGate.

“PLDT Enterprise helped us achieve zero downtime in internet connectivity,” explains Sta. Maria. This dependable connection allowed NBSI to provide seamless service to businesses relying on them for sensitive, time-critical operations.

“Thanks to PLDT Enterprise, our productivity increased by over 15%. Our client base grew, while our total working hours decreased—reflecting improved efficiency,” Sta. Maria shares.

Looking ahead, NBSI plans to expand further with PLDT Enterprise’s broadband upgrades and Smart 5G Postpaid Plans, a move that will better connect its mobile workforce and help support its rapidly growing client base.

A Platform for Progress

For PLDT Enterprise, supporting MSMEs like NBSI means amplifying their own stories.

“Through stories like NBSI’s, we see how meaningful technology adoption drives real, measurable business outcomes,” said Jay Lagdameo, Vice President and Head of Enterprise Revenue Group at PLDT Enterprise. “Through ROI’d to Success, we give entrepreneurs a platform to share their stories, highlighting how they harness digital solutions to overcome challenges, grow their businesses, and inspire others.”

You can listen to the full ROI’d to Success episode featuring Northeast Business Solutions, Inc. now on Hustleshare via Spotify.

To discover more inspiring stories and learn how PLDT Enterprise’s solutions empower businesses, visit https://bit.ly/pldtenterprise-ROId-nbsi-pr.

Tiny Buds has been named TikTok Shop’s #1 baby skin care brand, a recognition earned through its community-first approach, authentic content, and livestream-driven commerce. The proudly Filipino, female-led brand built its digital presence by fostering connection and trust among today’s parents, a strategy that continues to fuel its growth and relevance on the platform.

Founded in 2009 out of a mother’s desire to find safe, gentle, and natural products for her own child, Tiny Buds has grown into a parenting essential for Filipino families. But more than just a product line, the brand has become a support system by becoming a brand that listens, engages, and evolves with the community it serves.

That sense of connection only deepened when Tiny Buds joined TikTok Shop, embracing the platform as a new way to reach today’s digital-savvy moms. The brand did not just promote products; it also shared stories. Through consistent livestreams, creator-led content, and real-time conversations with its audiences, Tiny Buds created a space where moms felt seen and supported.

“We started early, so we had a stable following on TikTok Shop. We created fun, interesting, and informative content, one of which went viral in 2020,” said Lorin Tan, Marketing Head of Tiny Buds. “That moment really changed things for us. We realized that when a brand leads with honesty and connection, it can go far, not just in reach, but in relevance.”

“Tiny Buds is a perfect example of how a community-first brand can grow meaningfully on TikTok Shop,” said Franco Aligaen, Marketing Lead at TikTok Shop Philippines. “By consistently investing in engaging content and creator-driven livestreams, Tiny Buds became more than just a baby brand—they became a trusted village that supports parents in real and relatable ways.”

From Viral Moments to Measurable Growth

Since joining TikTok Shop, Tiny Buds has seen measurable growth rooted in this authentic approach. In the first quarter of 2024, the brand recorded a 29% increase in year-on-year sales, leading to its recognition as the #1 Baby Skin Care Brand on the platform. Its content strategy continued to thrive, with a 61% increase in content output and a 15% rise in livestream entry rate, showing that more parents were choosing to engage directly with the brand in real time.

“Live selling connected us with our customers in such a unique way that no other channel has been able to, since we’re able to interact with them one by one. We felt this was important because our customers are new parents who have so many questions about their kids. Being able to answer those live, while showing them how our products work, created a different kind of bond. It made us feel like we were truly part of their parenting journey,” shared Lys Tan, E-commerce Channel Head of Tiny Buds.

While building relationships remained the heart of their strategy, Tiny Buds also saw its campaigns resonate on a broader scale. As more families discovered and interacted with the brand, even its advertising efforts saw meaningful results with revenue increasing by 279%, reflecting how helpful, heartfelt content can also drive success.

Purpose-Led Campaigns and Lasting Connection

One of the most memorable moments for the brand came during its 2024 Super Brand Day on TikTok Shop. According to Lys Tan, “It broke records for us, and it was a celebration, not just for the sake of a sale, but it also had a heart component to it. A portion of the proceeds was donated to support an orphanage that also operates a beekeeping center. It tied back to our love for nature and our desire to support growing families, however they’re formed.”

Much of Tiny Buds’ success on TikTok Shop has also been supported by the platform’s ACE Indicator System, which offers sellers guidance across their Assortment, Content, and Empowerment strategies. With the recently upgraded version of the program, the brand has reached millions of moms seeking gentler ways to care for their children, or even just a companion on the motherhood journey.

For Tiny Buds, community always comes first. The brand’s journey shows that when you build with care, connect with purpose, and stay close to your audience, success follows naturally.

TikTok Shop is a one-stop e-commerce solution for driving brand growth and sales directly on TikTok. With TikTok Shop, merchants can tap into a full commerce experience with the capability to upload products and manage everything from shipping to fulfillment and point of purchase. Products are recommended to TikTok audiences through shoppable content formats such as in-feed short videos (embedded with product links), live shopping events, as well as a marketplace through the new Shop Tab.

So a friend wanted to libre another friend, though the emphasis was to find “something good that won’t empty the bank account”. This was how we came across Blake’s Wings & Steaks, which had a pretty-looking branch along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City, which, admittedly, was a lure for us.

Blake’s, however, isn’t exactly new. The very first branch opened five years ago in Marikina, and it now has eight branches, some are even in malls. And yeah… it is known for offering more affordable steaks (among its numerous offerings, of course), which makes it an okay option for the budget conscious particularly sa presyong Bagong Pilipinas at the time of Bongbong Marcos.

So how did we find this place?

@outragemag Eyeing an affordable #steakhouse dating venue? We #LGBT checked Blake’s in #QuezonCity ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

Una, the place is actually easy to find as it’s basically a stone’s throw away from Camp Aguinaldo, Camp Crame, Eastwood Malls, Araneta, and so on. Yun nga lang, it is best accessed by those with vehicles; or at least by those who can afford to pay Grab or motor taxi.

Ikalawa, the actual place is… pleasant. Mukha siyang non-mall-based Outback resto, Longhorn Steakhouse, American Steakhouse, and so on with a standalone Western-looking building.
Ambiance-wise, maaliwalas siya since high ceilinged ang place, and the tables were arranged in a way that allows customers to move around pa rin… if that’s what they need to do, of course.
Katabi ng steakhouse ang pizza parlor, so they share the parking… and you can order from the pizza parlor’s menu even if you’re eating at the steakhouse.

Ikatlo, keri naman ang personnel. One of the things we noticed was the number of staff; it almost seemed like there were too many of them. But at least they paid attention to the customers’ needs without being intrusive.

Ika-apat, how was the food?

1. We started with the Kani Mango Salad (₱395), which – according to the resto’s menu – combines shredded crab sticks and fresh green vegetables with their “own organic sweet balsamic vinegar”. But, TBH, lower your expectations. Not tasting like Japanese kani salad, this one’s quite bland, though at least the veggies were fresh.
2. Yep, Blake’s has more expensive steaks – e.g. Angus Ribeye Prime Grade Steak for ₱2,995, or Australian Porterhouse Steak for ₱1,695. But for this visit, we tried their more practical “Winner Steaks It All!” offerings. Particularly, the ₱495 Flat Iron Steak, and the ₱465 Porterhouse Steak.
   Notably, both steaks were well-seasoned. But opt for the Flat Iron Steak na lang when you’re here since the slab of meat is heftier, meaning mas may makakain ka at may malalasahan; and it’s better cooked since hindi siya chewy like the Porterhouse Steak.
3. We ordered two pizzas from Big Mama (the pizza parlor right beside the steakhouse) – i.e. Pesto Garlic Shrimp (₱629) and Hawaiian (₱539). This is supposed to be “New York-style pizza”, although marketing-wise, that claim is always problematic. Which part of New York are they even talking about, considering that different nationalities form different boroughs prepare pizza differently. The pizzas we got may have been typically greasy, but taste-wise… we couldn’t even remember tasting pesto and shrimp, or the pineapple slices. Di naubos.
4. Blake’s has its own chili sauce that’s available for sale; grab if you can because this one’s quite good. Tamang anghang that doesn’t take over the taste buds, but adds umami to whatever you’re eating.

Buod: if you’re looking for not-expensive steaks that are actually well-seasoned, include Blake’s in your list of to-check venues. We are certain there are others pa. But at least we know okay food can be had naman pala without overspending.

And so join us as we look for more lafang venues.

Blake’s Wings & Steaks – Katipunan is located at A186 Katipunan Ave., Brgy. Blue Ridge A, Quezon City. They’re open from 10AM–10PM on Monday–Thursday; and from 10AM–11PM on Friday–Sunday. For more information, contact (02) 8635 2097 or (0917) 985 4078.