BUSINESS executive and renowned authority in the franchising industry Ma. Alegria “Bing” Sibal-Limjoco is aiming to open more doors to woman-entrepreneurs through franchising.
In doing this, Limjoco is opening the eyes of women that they should step up and be business owners, as well by utilizing the traits they have developed in handling household affairs.
Limjoco, the vice chairman of the Philippine Franchising Association (PFA) and Philippine Retailers Association, and director at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), believes that a woman’s place is not only in the home but in the marketplace, as well.
“We feel that women entrepreneurship can be further developed. We are the ones handling the home and the children, we should know how to handle business, too,” said Limjoco, also the CEO of Francorp Philippines, in an interview with the BusinessMirror.
Further, Limjoco observed that with capital being the main concern of budding woman-entrepreneurs, franchising should be their main avenue for expansion.
“We are there to help business-minded ladies so they will not close business just after a few years and, instead, grow it. They always say, “Wala kaming pera, pano kami lalaki?” So I tell them, there is now a format, which is franchising, which uses other people’s money, or through franchisees. Let’s try this format and grow your business,” Limjoco added.
Limjoco, through Francorp Philippines, has nurtured some of the biggest homegrown businesses, such as Plains and Prints, Bayo, Goldilocks, Bench and Penshoppe, to name just a few.
But Limjoco has always been an advocate of women entrepreneurship. She formally launched her advocacy, Franchising Regional Enterprises by Women (FREE Women), in 2013 as a program under the PFA.
FREE Women is a series of seminars—six of which were rolled out in 2014 nationwide—geared toward empowering women to take their business to the next level.
The seminars under the FREE Women project have been conducted in Tagaytay, Davao, Cebu and Manila.
The seminars impart entrepreneurial skills to women, covering various topics, including starting a business and managing their loans and debts, especially since the initiative caters to micro, small and medium entrepreneurs who start with little or no capital for their planned business.
“Women are very careful with their money, they are always afraid to have debts. We teach them how to handle their finances so they’d be able to pay,” Limjoco added.
Limjoco said for financing consultation, in particular, they have tapped speakers from the Bank of the Philippine Islands.
Aside from financial management, through the seminars, woman-entrepreneurs, especially those already with existing business, are able to seek help from the government, such as the trade department’s export promotions arm, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, and the Department of Science and Technology for cost-efficient packaging solutions and product development.
Limjoco added that more than perception of gender equality, what truly empowers women is financial independence, hence, her advocacy.
“The women cannot just ask from the men all the time; economic empowerment is really my goal,” Limjoco said.
The executive added that with women’s propensity toward social entrepreneurship, they are concerned not just with making profit but with job generation, as well.
The FREE Women Project, according to Limjoco, has been recognized by the International Labor Organization. Limjoco, herself, has been invited to an international forum to advocate women entrepreneurial ventures as a job-generating source in other developing countries.
With the success of several women-led businesses, including the health-and-wellness concept store Oryspa, K2 Drugstore, PR Gaz and many others under her belt, Limjoco said there’s no question more women can grow their business through franchising.
Limjoco said that aside from food, cosmetics and services, business-minded women can get a jump-start on a sunrise industry: elderly care.
“This is an up-and-coming industry. There are elderly folks whose children are busy working or are out of the country, and have no one to look after them. These are still able-bodied and active elderly; so a business catering to their care and well-being is good,” Limjoco said.
The FREE Women project is set to continue this year with six to eight seminars slated to take place nationwide.