Young mom and baker savors ‘sweeter’ success
Success comes sweeter and more fulfilling the second time around for those who worked hard to achieve it. This perfectly illustrates the newfound joy of 31-year-old Mitchell Pineda, a proud Cebuana momtrepreneur.
A BS Nursing graduate, Pineda is also a professional baker. Starting out with an online bakeshop, the Chocolate Chimney, and eventually, four mall-based stalls at various SM locations, Pineda was doing remarkably well in her line of business. Though content with the success of her bakeshop venture, Pineda says the demanding nature of the business made managing stressful and time consuming.
“Though being a baker and cake artist fulfill my creativity, I have to stop because of these considerations. Also at that time, my family and I are growing weary of the fast-paced metro living, so we decided to transfer back to Cebu. This move gave me the much-needed breathing space to explore other options,” she recalled.
By the time they arrived in Cebu in 2014, Pineda was greeted by a familiar C-store brand and was astonished by its immense popularity in the area. “I came across the site of 7-Eleven and became more interested in acquiring my own store. I always wanted to try something new, one that is relatively ‘hassle-free’ and one that will allow me to practice my business management capabilities. After considerable research, I decided to explore my luck in C-store franchising,” she notes.
After securing her franchise approval and passing her FC training from Philippine Seven Corp., the exclusive licensor of 7-Eleven in the country, Pineda opened her C-store in October 31, 2014 located near the Guadalupe Church in Cebu City.
“We opened in this location because it’s perfectly near the church as well as schools and highly populated residential neighborhoods. Our store was warmly welcomed during our soft opening, with people swarming our doorsteps as they eagerly line up for their favorite 7-Eleven products like the Slurpee. It was nervewracking, but with the full support of the PSC management, we successfully pulled through and now, we are entering our 10th month of operations,” she noted.
To date, Pineda’s store is among the 94 outlets in Cebu, and among the brand’s 1,442 stores, with 878 franchise-owned C-stores and 564 corporate stores.
“It pays greatly to partner with a world-renowned C-store franchise. Not only did it offer a unique opportunity to benefit from a proven system and ongoing support, 7-Eleven gave me additional training and reliable assistance, especially at the first crucial stages where I’m still adjusting to the business operations,” Pineda stressed.
As a businesswoman with a passion for selling food, Pineda says she is deeply motivated to provide products, services and convenience to her customers. “Because we are open 24/7, I love the feeling of being able to provide for their needs round-the-clock. From serving simple food pleasures like ice cream for kids or quick snacks for busy commuters, I’m truly proud to be of service to everyone,” she exclaims.
Looking forward and optimistic with the smooth-sailing operations of her 7-Eleven store in Cebu, Pineda is so happy with how things have turned out. “Having a 7-Eleven store is fulfilling, this is my answered prayer. I never thought my success would stem from something else apart from selling cakes and cupcakes," she said.