CAGDIANAO, DINAGAT ISLANDS — What began as a place for customers to capture personal memories has gradually developed into a broader creative services business in Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands. AMUMA Self-Photo Studio & Printing Services, established in 2024 by Welvic Custodio, has expanded beyond its original self-photo sessions to accommodate a wider range of personal, educational and commercial needs. Its development illustrates how a small enterprise can build on an initial idea while exploring additional services that create opportunities for growth.
More Ways to Turn Ideas Into Keepsakes
AMUMA's current range of services covers much more than photography. Customers can access identification and photo printing, customized T-shirts and stickers, photobooth rentals, souvenirs and personalized designs. The business also serves schools, families, individuals, companies and local event organizers, giving it several customer groups to work with. By combining photography with printing and customization, AMUMA can support different occasions, from personal celebrations to school activities and business promotions, through a more diverse set of creative offerings.
Mentorship Brings Structure to Business Growth
Expanding a service portfolio also brings new responsibilities, particularly in managing money, supplies, employees and customer relationships. Through the Department of Trade and Industry's Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program, AMUMA gained business guidance that helped turn its expansion ideas into a more organized improvement plan. The experience covered financial management, bookkeeping, budgeting, business projections, marketing, inventory monitoring and operational planning. These areas provide a foundation for making more informed decisions as the enterprise works toward greater consistency and long-term sustainability.
Strengthening the Work Behind the Creativity
The business's development plan also recognizes that sustainable growth depends on effective systems, not simply a larger menu of services. Clear staff responsibilities, employee training, accurate financial records and better inventory monitoring are among the priorities identified for improvement. Equipment upgrades and future hiring are also part of its longer-term direction. At the same time, stronger social media activity, promotional campaigns and customer engagement can help the enterprise present its products to a broader audience and maintain relationships with existing clients.
A Local Enterprise Looking Ahead
AMUMA's next stage centers on improving service quality while building connections with schools, businesses, government offices and event organizers. Additional printing products, customized merchandise and photobooth offerings could create more ways to serve the community as the business develops its capabilities. With the planning knowledge gained through KMME, Custodio has a clearer framework for managing the enterprise and preparing for future opportunities. AMUMA's journey shows how creative initiative, practical business learning and steady improvements can work together to support a homegrown enterprise in Dinagat Islands.
