On a regular day, it is already challenging to hustle and keep the bucks coming in so we can sustain ourselves. Adding this pandemic and lockdown into the mix, working your ass off may just not be enough. So starting your own business for extra income should be a great idea, but the health risks and financial setbacks caused by this pandemic could dampen one’s entrepreneurial hopes. 

May Bragado, the female boss behind MBE Management Inc., has seen firsthand how entrepreneurs are facing way more difficulties these days. After all, her media, account and events management company is also a business consultancy firm. “We guide business owners in troubleshooting their challenges by encouraging them to stay confident with their businesses despite the challenges, especially at the first phase of building and rebuilding their ventures, and more so now that it’s pandemic,” May shared. 

“Through our consultancy business, our team helps entrepreneurs set up their ventures from business registration to account management,” she shared. “Our services include talent management, events management, account management, business assistance and mentoring.”

MBE Management is helping many businesses by helping them with networking too —from the government, non-government, private companies and even media companies, so that support are given to small and medium enterprises by these entities.

One of her firm’s successful business support projects is South Yard, a lifestyle exhibit that serves as an avenue for small and medium enterprises to rise and shine, especially in time of pandemic. From food, cosmetics, fashion brands to event printing companies, South Yard has become a platform for business owners to stay afloat during these hard times. Helping many small and medium enterprises and brands, South Yard is stationed in SM Southmall in Las Piñas  with booths to showcase their products and services. “Across the Philippines, we help entrepreneurs by building, rebuilding and promoting their businesses.” 

“MBE Management is helping businesses through digital and traditional promotions. By giving them directions and assessment as to how their products can be improved, we empower them to level up their game. Also, our team is seeking possible sponsorships and partnerships from big corporations and the government so that the lease fees of South Yard entrepreneurs can be lowered, or even possibly waived.” 

The Birth of the Lady Boss

“I never really planned to become an entrepreneur. Events hosting is one of the talents I never thought will generate an extra income because I just love public speaking and performing. So I just kept on accommodating hosting gigs,” May said. She started hosting events in 2005.

“At first, I was just doing it for free, enjoying it as a hobby. Then I tried auditioning in a few event companies for their promotional events. I did not expect that my various events hosting projects would become a way to expand my network and meet business partners,” she said.  “My biggest opportunity to transition to become an entrepreneur without me planning about it was when SM Supermalls accredited me as ‘May Bragado Hosting & Events Services’.” 

“When I have seen the benefits of being an entrepreneur such as managing my own time, having limitless opportunities to earn and having a tool to help other people, I have decided to embrace the business fully. I put up another business that is a family corporation known today as MBE Management Inc..”

This female entrepreneur cited “having a limited capital” as the initial challenge she had when she was starting out as a businesswoman. But May worked hard, focusing on her mission to share happiness and positivity through fulfilling her clients’ needs and more than anything, empowering and mentoring other entrepreneurs like herself. 

Women Helping Women

“I believe that female entrepreneurs have superpowers. And those are their courage, creativity and versatility,” May said.

She saw other female entrepreneurs’ drawbacks during lockdown, such as limited capital to risk, high health risks, government regulations, and of course, maintaining a healthy mindset and positive attitude. And those did not kill their business spirit at all.

“To address their problems on limited capital, our team really tried our best to tailor-fit the entrepreneurial programs of small and medium business owners under South Yard by providing flexible payment terms,” she said. “We also help in ensuring that health protocols are being implemented at the work place, in their booths. We also assist with dealing with government regulations by checking on credible sources and ensuring that the required permits to operate are secured.”

Her team championed in helping business owners in maintaining a healthy mindset and positive attitude in business amidst pandemic. “The MBE Management team finds time to meet the entrepreneurs and set consultation sessions and meetings wherein each entrepreneur can share their experiences. Listening and mentoring truly help. Just being present at the South Yard, I can attest that the positive vibes can be felt as we have built a community of entrepreneurs who became friends, helping each other to grow.”

Heart Tolosa, owner of GabZ Printing Services, is one of the many female entrepreneurs who is thankful to MBE Management for helping her maintain her business during these dark times. Primarily offering printing services for T-shirt customizations, GabZ has been able to transition to offering customized face masks, sanitizer bottles and other health essentials since last year.

Heart Tolosa of GabZ Printing Services

Actor and celebrity Awra Briguela posing by GabZ’s booth at South Yard

Heart shared with us her experience. “November last year was when I felt like I really hit hard bottom in my business. I decided to tap MBE, and joined their bazaar exhibit in SM Mall Las Piñas. The booth alone helped my business big time, as well as the digital and social media promotions for our business. Their mentoring on product improvement has really helped me too. Now we are even back to printing customized company T-shirts again, while still offering customized face masks, bottles and other essentials. MBE really helped me and other businesswomen to be resilient in our business and finances despite the lockdown.” 

The Future is Female

“For every woman who wants to take the leap and start her own business, do not be discouraged by this pandemic. I encourage every woman to find her true passion and conquer her fears and anxieties, and take action NOW. Fulfill your true passion. Your heart’s desire to help your families and our fellow brothers and sisters in this time of pandemic will fuel your business to keep on moving. It is not a smooth ride but it is definitely worth trying,” May said. “Just always put in your heart and mind what is said in Philippians 4:13–‘I can do all things with God who strengthens me’.”

If you wanna have a little food and shopping trip, South Yard is located at SM South Mall Door 4 Food Street Alfresco. For those who are interested to put up your business with the help of May Bragado’s MBE Management Inc., you may shoot an email to [email protected], or message them on Facebook at facebook.com/thesouthyard.