Merchant Stories

About Sayo Parati and Its Mission

Parati is a locally made bag brand built on the belief that the things we carry every day should be intentional. We create timeless, functional bags designed to move with you through different seasons of life, not driven by trends, but by thoughtful design, versatility, and quality.We produce our collections in small batches, allowing us to focus on quality over quantity, reduce unnecessary waste, and celebrate the craftsmanship of the skilled Filipino artisans behind every bag.Beyond creating bags, our mission is to create impact. A portion of every purchase goes toward making bags for children in need because we believe even something as simple as a bag can make a meaningful difference. Through Parati, we hope to support both the hands that make our products and the communities we aspire to serve.

The biggest challenge faced when they're starting out

"One of the biggest challenges was realizing that creating a great product takes far more than a good idea. From sourcing materials to refining every design detail with our manufacturers, the process required patience and countless revisions.As a small business, balancing quality and accessibility wasn’t always easy. There were moments of doubt, but choosing not to rush the process taught us that building a meaningful brand means staying true to what you believe in, even if it takes longer than expected."

What does being a Filipino entrepreneur mean to them?

"To us, being a Filipino entrepreneur means having the courage to build something you believe in, even when the path isn’t always clear.It means embracing the challenges that come with running a business in the Philippines, staying resourceful through every season, and continuing to choose purpose over shortcuts. We believe entrepreneurship isn’t just about growing a brand or reaching milestones, it’s about creating something meaningful, supporting the people around you, and using whatever success comes your way to make a positive impact on others."

Advice they would give to young people who want to start their own business:

"Start before everything feels perfect. It’s easy to get caught up waiting for the right timing, the perfect product, or enough experience, but the truth is you’ll learn the most by simply starting.Build something that reflects what you genuinely believe in instead of chasing what’s popular. Trends come and go, but a business with a clear purpose will always have a stronger foundation. Stay patient, be willing to keep improving, and remember that every setback is part of the process. :)"

About Tora Matcha and Its Mission

"Tora Matcha started because I wanted to make good quality matcha more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. I have always been passionate about matcha, and I wanted to share that passion through every cup that we serve. My goal has never been just to sell drinks. I want people to experience how much care goes into every ingredient, every recipe, and every drink that we make.

When someone tries Tora Matcha, I want them to feel that it was made with intention. I spend a lot of time learning, testing recipes, improving our drinks, and making sure we serve something that I am genuinely proud of. Sharing my craft with people and seeing them enjoy it is one of the most rewarding parts of building this brand. My mission is simply to continue serving good matcha while creating an experience that people will always remember."

The biggest challenge faced when they're starting out

"The biggest challenge was getting people to believe in my brand before anyone knew who we were. When I was first starting, I would send applications to different market organizers, but many of them never replied. There were times when I felt invisible because I kept trying but nothing seemed to happen.

Even when I finally got accepted into markets, there were moments when people would walk past our booth without stopping or buying anything. It was difficult because I poured so much time, effort, and money into preparing for every event, but there were days when it felt like nobody noticed.There were many moments when I questioned myself and wondered if I should keep going because building a business can be emotionally exhausting.

There were days when I was physically tired from long events and mentally drained from all the rejections. But I kept showing up. I kept applying, improving our products, learning from every event, and believing that if I stayed consistent, people would eventually notice us.Looking back now, I am grateful that I never gave up. Every rejection taught me something, every slow event helped me improve, and every challenge became part of the story of Tora Matcha. I learned that success doesn't happen overnight. It comes from continuing even when things are difficult."

What does being a Filipino entrepreneur mean to them?

"For me, being a Filipino entrepreneur means being passionate about what you do. Of course, every business needs to earn money, but I believe that money shouldn't be the only reason why you build something. You have to genuinely love your craft because there will be many difficult days, and passion is what keeps you going.

It also means treating people well. I believe that how you treat your staff, your customers, your suppliers, and everyone around your business is just as important as the product itself. I always want every customer to leave our booth feeling happy, welcomed, and satisfied with both our drinks and our service.

Being a Filipino entrepreneur also means being resourceful and resilient. Things will not always go according to plan, but you learn how to adapt, keep improving, and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way."

Advice they would give to young people who want to start their own business:

"My biggest advice is to start, even if you feel like you are not completely ready. I know starting a business is scary because there are so many what ifs. You might feel like you need more money, more experience, or better equipment before you begin. I used to think that too, but if I had waited until everything was perfect, Tora Matcha would probably never have existed.

I started with very little, and I learned almost everything through experience. You don't really need to have everything figured out from the beginning. You will learn as you go, and every mistake will teach you something valuable.

There will be people who don't believe in your idea, and there will be days when things don't go your way and that's is completely normal. The important thing is to keep showing up, keep learning, and keep improving. If you truly love what you are building, you will always find a reason to continue.

One quote that has always stayed with me is, “If not now, then when?” There will never be a perfect time to start. At the same time, I also believe that timing is everything. Opportunities come to those who are prepared to take them. So start where you are, do your best with what you have, and trust that every small step will eventually lead you somewhere bigger."

We've successfully held curated bazaars at The Podium Mall, The Corner House, Ateneo High School, Xception Makati, Estancia, and The Living Room at Katipunan, each featuring over 20+ merchants per bazaar and drawing strong foot traffic and brand engagement.