LAST Apr. 15, the Bedan Entrepreneurship Society (BES) started their promising careers by presenting their start-up companies during the “Kickstart 2025 Growing Your Wealth Wisely” at Manny Reyes Hall.

     “An Entrep student must know how to calculate the risk,” Prof. Precy Baluarte, Vice Dean of the School of Business, Accountancy and Management, shared in her opening remarks. She hopes the event will allow future entrepreneurs to grow and learn further the importance of managing finances with the necessary tools.

     The presentations included insight into the products of  Hani Candle Making, BCKA Ecosort, Gar Scents Custom, BCK.CO, and Meraki Studios, founded by fourth-year Entrepreneurship students.  The organization also featured a student-led business, “Summer Quenchers,” from the University of Perpetual Help-Molino Campus. 

     “Bee inspired, be scented,” was the motto of Hani Candle Making, founded by Alexandria Escalambre (IV-BSE), Francis Clarence Manding (IV-BSE), and Juan Carlos Dulce (IV-BSE).  The company commits itself to crafting eco-friendly beeswax candles and offers them in four scents: Hani Hani Zest, a citrusy orange scent, Hani Cool, a menthol scent, Hani Lav, a lavender scent, and lastly Hani Felize, a floral scent. They have chosen beeswax as an air purifier, which affects the mood and ambiance, relieves those with asthma, and serves as a mosquito repellent. 

     The next presenter, BCKA EcoSort, an abbreviation of “Bag Craft Keep Arranged,” was established by Bea Salmorin (IV-BSE), Andre Arcao (IV-BSE), and Kian Mercado (IV-BSE). The main idea was to create a bag organizer that uses high-quality, water-repellent jute fabric to organize items and materials effortlessly. The bags include a rugged pouch, open bag organizers, and soft pouch organizers, upholding the mantra of “Empower your space, embrace the eco grace.”

     BES also featured a custom-designed car scent founded by Marc Villa (IV-BSE), Raymound Burton (IV-BSE), and John Salvatus (IV-BSE) under their company, Gar Scents. The customizable car scents were compact, long-lasting, stylish, eco-friendly, and sustainable for their users.

     BCK.CO aligns its product with its motto, “Nature’s sound, amplified,” launched by Kit Rodriguez (IV-BSE) and Brian De Jesus (IV-BSE). Their product provides high-quality, designed speaker amplifiers that utilize eco-friendly and 100% natural non-electronic components, allowing usage even in off-the-grid locations.

     Lastly, Meraki Studios was founded by Jat Gomez (IV-BSE), John Manahan (IV-BSE), and Luke Malili (IV-BSE). The company delivers comfort and fashionable options for high-quality clogs made from recycled materials and a 100% leather body with a wide selection of colors: tan, black, gray, chocolate brown, and beige, embracing their mantra of “What’s old is new”.

     The senior entrepreneur students started their companies through bazaars in the Alabang Hills clubhouse and the Lion’s Den, located on the grounds of SBCA. 

     After the presentation, the organization welcomed their guest speaker, Mr. Reginaldo Halili, CEO and Founder of LabExpress Medical Diagnostics and Co-founder of Casa Marina. He outlined his history as an entrepreneur and the difficulties in his career. 

     Halili also elaborated on what he learned throughout his 30 years as an entrepreneur through the Five Irrefutable Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs: resilience, discipline, adaptability, vision, and leadership. He recounted the early stages of his career, where he was prone to rejections, and claimed that he was not as fortunate as his fellow entrepreneurs with starting connections and wealth. "The most important investment is an investment in yourself,” he emphasized. 

     Then, the brand ambassador of Kickstart's major sponsor, FC Home Center, Christian “Vodkah” Buangan, recounts the company’s origin. From one store in 1998 to the 109 branches in the present, the company ensured that it would prioritize quality over quantity by hiring the right professionals and exploring the needs and relations with Filipino families. “Success isn't about being the biggest right away, it's about starting where you are and staying open about change and growth,” he concluded.

     To end the event, Dr. Emmanuel Evangelista, Department Chair of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, praised the future entrepreneurs. Evangelista ended by reminding the students to “keep dreaming big and start thinking bold.”