Eunice Rey-Montesa decided to continue her grandmother's baking legacy in Boac, Marinduque, while Ricardo Magnayon Jr., a retired rubber farmer in Sarangani, turned to cacao to support his community. Despite their different backgrounds, both found e-commerce as a lifeline to bring their local products to customers nationwide.

Marinduque kitchen

Rey's Bakeshop, established in 1987 by Josefa Rodil, a retired home economics teacher, started with uraro cookies made from arrowroot flour sourced from Marinduque farmers. The business grew locally over the years, focusing on quality and consistency.

When Eunice took over the bakery in 2017, she realized the potential to expand beyond the island but lacked the knowledge of how to do so.

New start in Sarangani

Meanwhile, thousands of kilometers away, Magnayon transitioned from rubber farming to cacao due to market challenges. In 2020, he launched Don Ricardo Chocolate Shop, producing cacao-based products to support local farmers.

With the help of the Department of Trade and Industry's E-Commerce Program, both businesses ventured into online platforms like Shopee to reach a wider market.

Pivot to digital

The pandemic accelerated the shift to e-commerce for Rey's Bakeshop and Don Ricardo Chocolate Shop. They quickly adapted to listing products, managing orders, and navigating logistics on digital platforms.

Through e-commerce, both businesses expanded their reach beyond their provinces, attracting customers from various regions and building a loyal customer base.

Scaling with intention

With the support of e-commerce, Rey's Bakeshop is now expanding distribution and working towards product safety certifications. Don Ricardo Chocolate Shop has opened a café and plans to establish branches in different locations.

Despite their growth, both businesses remain rooted in their communities, continuing to support local suppliers and farmers.

Staying grounded

While their journeys differ, Rey's Bakeshop and Don Ricardo Chocolate Shop share a common thread of adapting to change, modernizing, and utilizing e-commerce to expand their businesses.

Starting with tradition and resilience, e-commerce has propelled them further than they ever imagined.