Leny Yanoria, a solo entrepreneur, started her series of side hustles when she lost her job as a bank cashier in 2013, initially selling gift items and toys.
As a full-time mother to three growing children, she also dabbled in costume making.
Yanoria and two of her friends would join bazaars around Los Banos. She would eventually shift to making accessories, more as a hobby.
When the pandemic struck and no fairs to join, Yanoria sold fresh Vietnamese spring rolls via delivery in Los Banos. She would save enough money to start all over again when the opportunity to be part of Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) came in 2021. Thus, Leny Handy Crafts was born.
For Yanoria, KMME taught her the basics of managing and financing a business. Here, her entrepreneurial spirit was ignited to forge ahead despite the challenges, the pandemic being one of them.
Yanoria was ready to join big fairs specializing in hand-made accessories and obtained all the necessary documents to formalize her business.
Yanoria said KMME opened the doors for Leny Handy Crafts to join the mid-year staging in 2022 of the National Trade Fair (NTF), an event hosted by the Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion. By the next fair in November of that year, the business has bounced back from the pandemic.
NTF not only provided a venue for Leny Handy Crafts to sell its accessories but became a platform to reach a wider market.
In 2022, Yanoria also participated in the One town, one product (OTOP) of the DTI.
Today, Yanoria continues to steer her business solo flight, with the occasional help of her children when orders pile up. Her products can now be found at the OTOP Hub in Los Banos and at the Agora of the Enchanted Kingdom.
Yanoria is happy to contribute to the family income and is eager to expand Leny Handy Crafts.
Yanoria is just one of this year’s 250 plus exhibitors at the NTF which concluded its five-day run in SM Megalmall on August 27.
Themed “Go Green! Go Local!’ , the event featured micro, small and medium enterprises showcasing their sustainable, green, and eco-friendly materials and product. – Irma Isip
