HINATUAN, SURIGAO DEL SUR — In this coastal municipality, a bakery's story begins not with a grand opening but with a borrowed oven and a pair of pawned wedding rings. JL's Bakeshop, owned by Jesrel A. Engalan and his wife, started with limited resources and a simple dream: to build a better future for their family. Without their own equipment, they borrowed tools from a brother-in-law. To cover rent and purchase essential items, they pawned their wedding rings and other jewelry. It was a gamble rooted in faith and hard work, and it eventually paid off as the couple settled their obligations and grew the business step by step.
A Hard Lesson in Capital and Family
The journey brought a difficult lesson that many small entrepreneurs learn the hard way. After saving for their family's future, Jesrel and his wife used much of the business's accumulated funds to build their own home. It was a milestone for the family, but the decision left the bakery struggling to maintain its working capital. Jesrel initially felt he had failed as an entrepreneur. Over time, he came to see the setback differently: as an opportunity to learn, rebuild, and make better decisions. That shift in perspective became a turning point, one that reshaped how he approached the business and its finances.
Mentorship That Sharpened the Vision
A significant part of that rebuilding came through the Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) program, a flagship initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry that provides micro and small entrepreneurs with structured mentoring and practical business guidance. Through KMME, Jesrel gained a clearer understanding of business management, financial discipline, and strategic planning. He learned the importance of separating personal and business funds, improving inventory control, and organizing operations to support sustainable growth. The program also strengthened his confidence in decision-making and encouraged him to embrace continuous learning and innovation. Today, JL's Bakeshop serves the community with freshly baked bread, cakes, and pastries. Its signature offerings include Coco Buns, Burles, Mamoon, and Vento Cakes, alongside customized cakes made with quality and care. The business is guided by a commitment to freshness, affordability, and customer satisfaction.
Looking Ahead with Clearer Systems
With the lessons of KMME behind him, Jesrel has set concrete goals for the future. He aims to improve production planning, minimize product waste, strengthen the bakery's online presence, and establish clearer responsibilities within the team. His vision is to become one of the most trusted bakeries in the community, providing fresh, quality products while treating customers and employees with integrity and care. For a business that began with borrowed tools and pawned jewelry, that vision is no longer a distant dream. It is a plan, and it is already taking shape.
