WANTING to learn how to scale up her dried herb business, 32-year-old Joan Paula Garcia of Molinos De La Especia said joining the Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) program is a way to grow.

The program, implemented by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Center on Entrepreneurship-Go Negosyo and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), aims to help micro, small and medium enterprises develop a good business sense to guide them in the entrepreneurship journey.

“Our company is an importer, manufacturer and distributor of herbs and spices. I joined the KMME program because I wanted to know how I can grow and scale my business and at the same time, build networks with other entrepreneurs and learn from people who have been in business for a while,” she said.

Garcia said her four-year-old business was established when her father was diagnosed with cancer and wanted to shift to a healthier diet.

“Before I started the business, I was working in Singapore and then I realized there was a need for dried spices and herbs. I wanted to cook for my dad but I couldn’t because I couldn’t find the spices and herbs that I’m used to here in Cebu,” she said.

Garcia said through her business, she wanted to help local farmers especially in cultivating spices and herbs as other alternatives for the usual crops.

DTI 7 assistant regional director Maria Elena Arbon said the program is now on its seventh batch of 30 mentees.

“We have seen a lot of success stories. Mentoring is just a start. You get into DTI and the chamber and from there, you get connected to other programs to move you forward,” she said.

CCCI president Virgilio Espeleta urged the mentees to religiously attend and complete the 12 mentoring sessions that are done twice a week.

“Whatever you learn here is just the start,” he said.

The KMME program has already produced 160 graduates since it started in 2016.