STRIKING the perfect balance between work and play comes naturally for these four young entrepreneurs who run food businesses in SM Lanang Premier. For them, a long day of productivity is always capped with some indulgence. They work hard—and then they shop like a boss.
One of them is Andrew dela Serna who oversees a burger joint franchise of Red Corner in SM Lanang Premier’s Food Hall.
“Running a food business is a fulfilling experience. I get to meet different people from all walks of life. Talking to them offers me creative approaches on customer service and insights on improving our burger products. At the end of the day, it is all about your customers and catering to their needs,” he said.
For Andrew, learning is a lifetime process. “Being a young boss is really like being any other boss. Although I guess being young entails a lot of learning the ropes, and making a lot of mistakes. The key thing is I learn from them,” he said.
Andrew finds time to spend time for himself and his family despite busy days. “Watching movies at the IMAX Theatre is a quite a treat. I would say that’s my most favorite thing in the mall,” he said. He also rewards himself by shopping in his favorite stores Uniqlo, Power Mac Center, and Marks & Spencer. SM Lanang Premier’s The Great 3-Day Sale on July 13-15 is marked on his calendar.
“I shop when I feel like I’ve accomplished something big and need to reward myself. It could be a nice shirt or simply a meal at my favorite restaurant,” he said.
Meanwhile, the duo behind The Kitchn describe work as “crazy but engaging and fun.” Amado Francisco So and Miriam Dizo, both in their late 20s, share that being productive at work surprises them often.
“It's always like there's just a short list of things to do but the next thing we know, we've only ticked one task off of the list and it's already 5 PM and the both of us haven't even had breakfast or lunch,” Miriam said.
“When we finally have some free time, we usually eat like crazy. I guess we are in this food business because we love food and we like trying out new restaurants. We also find time to hit the gym or train Jiu-jitsu in F. Torres Street where The Kitchn started,” Amado shared.
“Every week is always more exciting than the last,” said Miriam, describing the mall and the endless events that happen. The duo always checks out Uniqlo or American Eagle for great deals—especially on sale weekends. Miriam’s shopping tip? To show up early, and take note of the dates and times when SM Advantage Card and Prestige Card holders get extra 10 percent off on all purchases. “Skim through all the shops with big, red 70 percent sale sign, take mental notes, and grab a bite (some Chickn maybe) before going on a shopping frenzy.”
Girl boss Cheska Jopson stays on top of thing when it comes to managing her food business. Cheska is the culinary genius behind the newly opened BBQ Nation by The Epicurious Gastropub in SM Lanang Premier’s third level.
“I start the day working hand in hand with my managers to make sure that things are sorted out and raw materials are properly delivered,” she shared. Serving barbecue platters after another can make a busy day, but Cheska finds time to breathe.
“I have committed to rewarding myself appropriately (amidst the busy schedule) every time I accomplish a goal. I’m a big movie buff and I love watching sci-fi, action, thriller, and horror films in IMAX,” she said.
Every so often, this girl boss indulges on a fashion fix and additions to her sneaker collection. “I go to The SM Store or Sports Central because they carry a wide array of shoe brands. Bench and Penshoppe have been my favorite since high school because they offer items that fit my styling needs—laid back, comfortable, and casual. Forever 21 is another magical place to shop! The clothes are organised by colour and look, which makes it easier for me to find exactly what I need.”
Cheska follows SM Lanang Premier’s social media pages (@smlanangpremier) to get first dibs on promos and events.
She shares this tip to shop like a boss: “I make sure to have a detailed checklist arranged by category. That way, I don’t have to rely on my memory, thus, eliminating the chance of overlooking things. It is also a sure-fire strategy to save time. Discounts during sale weekends can sometimes be crazy—and I always take advantage of them by shopping in bulk.”
Moments of fun and play can truly find its way amid the daily hustle and productivity, as proved by these busy bees who work hard, play hard, and shop like a boss.