Sunday, May 11, 2008 SM holds Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan trade fair By Elaine Mangrobang UP Intern
SHOE Mart (SM) Foundation partner agencies launched Saturday the "SM Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Trade Fair," a three-day exhibit of various products for micro entrepreneurs at SM City Baguio.
The trade fair is a component of SM Foundations livelihood programs, which assist micro entrepreneurs venture in the economic mainstream by establishing markets for their products through retail and wholesale; and to enhance and develop the exhibitors' business skills by providing them with training programs conducted by SM Foundation and its partner agencies-Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Technology Resource Center (TRC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and Department of Agriculture (DA).
According to Cristie Angeles, SM's Project Director for Outreach Programs, the trade fair aims to look for cottage industry-level under micro-entrepreneurship and give micro entrepreneurs the chance to showcase their product and to let them experience how mall setting was.
"The trade fair is more of introducing the product and to be able to help micro-entrepreneurs uplift self-esteem through market exposure," said Angeles.
She added that SM Foundation and its partner agencies cannot promise the entrepreneurs they will be able to sell but they can help them expose their product.
Angeles said PBSP conducted a business clinic a week before the exhibit date and discussed marketing strategies, packaging and labeling, salesmanship and negotiation. They required the exhibitors who participated in the trade fair to attend the pre-exhibit activity to prepare them to the buyers encounter.
Technology Resource Center, on the other hand, conducted a skills demonstration in cologne and perfume making, decorative balloon making and fashion making accessories.
"You must have discipline, put a smile on your face and must believe in your product to be able to sell. In this three-day exhibit I'm expecting a million worth of sales. I know the thoughts can change the sales,' said Angeles during the opening program.
After the opening program at the SM atrium, SM Foundation conducted a business forum with the help of some of the stall owners. Janssen Pe, SM Baguio Assistant Mall Manager facilitated the forum. He said he was happy because almost all the exhibitors have good packaging and the stalls have nice setups.
Forty-four exhibitors participated in the exhibit. These micro-entrepreneurs, coming from Bulacan, Tarlac, Ifugao, Aurora and other provinces of Luzon offered various products like potted plants and flowers, accessories, handicrafts, manufactured food, woven products, organic products, cooperative products like wine and vinegars and ethnic furniture.
Jennifer Aragon, an entrepreneur from Casiguran, Aurora said they were happy they've been given a chance to be a part of the trade fair. The first priority of their cooperative is to promote the product and the town. Sales will then follow.
SM Foundation has scheduled 10 trade fairs this year in various SM Malls. The trade fair in SM Baguio is the third on the list. Other venues in the calendar are SM Iloilo (May 30-June 1), SM San Lazaro (July 18-20), SM Marilao (August 1-3), SM Cagayan de Oro (August 27-31), SM Taytay (September 12-14), SM Batangas (October 3-5) and SM Cebu (October 17-19).
