OPEN to buy, sell, and trade everyday essentials are offered in the newly launched B'ESSENTIALS by the Bedan Entrepreneur Society (BES). Every purchase counts and helps support student entrepreneurs and their growing business.

B’ESSENTIALS was introduced to the SBCA community through a Facebook private market group created last Aug. 27. According to John Emmanuel Sualog (IV-BES), the president of BES, the name was a play on words that can mean many things, such as Bedan Essentials, Business Essentials, Budol Essentials, or even BES Essentials.

For BES, the project is more than just a marketplace,  it is not limited to just one group, it is open to everyone in SBCA. Students from different programs, teachers, and more can post. These entrepreneurs are not only expanding their reach to their peers as customers but are also extending their market to a larger community. 

Its purpose is to give Bedan entrepreneurs a space to grow, and to encourage students to step out of their comfort zones and test their ideas in the real world. It is not just a bulletin board for selling random items; it is about creating a supportive community where Bedans can take their shot at business. The point of B’ESSENTIALS is that “anyone can be an entrepreneur.” Every sale that you and other people make is a chance to learn, improve, and gain confidence.

With BES’ initiative, the SBCA community has a platform that brings together Bedan Students, alumni, parents, and even teachers to showcase their businesses and passions. It is not just about making money but about confidence, gaining experience, and learning from one another. 

 One of B’ESSENTIALS’ success stories is Vianca M. Mia (III-BSE) who started small by selling cookies in school, and now she runs a café with her partner. Her café, V&E cafe, offers pastries, coffee, matcha, and milk tea. 

“This became a platform where I can showcase my products and connect with other student entrepreneurs. It’s given me opportunities that aren’t possible if I was just focusing internally and doing my business the traditional way,” she said.

For Mia, her drive comes from being the eldest child in her family. She admitted that growing up, they did not have the budget for everything, and that experience made her determined to work hard and give back. She explained that it is not just about making money but being grateful for every blessing and opportunity that comes her way. That is why she sees B’ESSENTIALS as more than just a selling platform, it is also a way to build relationships and networks that can last beyond college.

For students like Mia, the marketplace is not just about making sales, it is about growth. “As a student entrepreneur, I highly recommend that whatever opportunity you are given, grab it. You’re only going to regret the things you haven’t done, and learn from what you have experienced,” she added.

Aiming to become a true Bedan tradition, BES has already reached out to different departments, the School of Law, the Graduate School, and even the Alumni Affairs Office to expand the platform of B’ESSENTIALS. They also coordinated with other groups, like the Parent-Teachers Association of SBCA, to make sure more people get involved. 

Last Sept. 3, the  official SBCA School of Law (SOL) Facebook page shared the market group.

B’ESSENTIALS is not just about business; it is about the community. Every product carries a story, every purchase supports a fellow Bedan, and every connection brings the community closer. With stories like Mia’s, it is clear that the marketplace is not just an event but a movement that inspires students to dream bigger, take risks, and grow not just as entrepreneurs but as individuals.