When Josefina “Josie” R. Natividad steps into her role as President and COO of Iskaparate.com each day, she’s helping steer a digital marketplace that began with just 33 nanays and has now grown to serve over 3,000 vendors. The platform, born during the height of the pandemic, offers small-scale entrepreneurs—particularly mothers—a lifeline when traditional markets closed and mobility became restricted.
A timely solution
Iskaparate was founded by Joey Bermudez along with Natividad and other socially-minded entrepreneurs including Marissa Dames of DTC Promos and Angie Suiza of Connectsys. What started as a response to economic uncertainty has blossomed into a thriving community that bridges the gap between small local sellers and digital commerce.
“Iskaparate.com was built around the idea of capacity building,” explains Natividad. The platform doesn’t just provide space for transactions; it equips entrepreneurs with skills, tools, and support systems needed to succeed online. For many vendors, this represents their first venture into e-commerce—a significant step that requires guidance and encouragement.
Learning while earning
At the heart of Iskaparate’s approach is education. Through partnerships with organizations like DTI-PTTC, UST doctors, and Winrock USDA, Iskaparate Academy offers specialized training in business practices as well as health and wellness resources for its community of sellers.
The platform vets its sellers carefully, promotes fair competition, and highlights local, artisanal, and eco-friendly products. This focus on quality and authenticity sets Iskaparate apart from mainstream marketplaces that might prioritize volume over values.
“The platform bridges gaps in digital literacy, product marketing, and customer engagement,” Natividad notes, ensuring that vendors not only survive but thrive in the digital economy.
Stories that sell
What truly distinguishes Iskaparate is its commitment to storytelling. In partnership with DTC Promos, the platform amplifies the voices of its sellers through tailored digital marketing content that goes beyond traditional advertising.
By showcasing authentic vendor stories, crafting specially curated bundles, and facilitating participation in community bazaars, Iskaparate creates meaningful connections between entrepreneurs and their customers. This approach nurtures a vibrant ecosystem where local businesses grow through trust and shared purpose.
Growing together
Always looking forward, Iskaparate continues to expand its horizons. The team recently launched Ozam in Canada—a portal connecting Overseas Filipino Workers with products and learning opportunities from home.
The platform has also ventured into B2B services through strategic partnerships with distributors like Suysing and Hypha-Cambert, creating new avenues for small-scale vendors to reach bigger markets and further strengthen community-based enterprises.
Mother knows best
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, Natividad’s message to aspiring entrepreneur mothers echoes the platform’s supportive philosophy: “To all the mothers dreaming of starting a business, know that your strength, resilience, patience and passion are already the foundations of a successful entrepreneur.”
She acknowledges the challenges of balancing family and business, noting that it “takes planning, care and support.” But her encouragement is clear: “With the right mindset and preparation, you can create something meaningful not just for your income, but for your legacy.”
Natividad emphasizes the importance of starting small, staying true to one’s purpose, and remaining flexible. “One should be willing to learn from setbacks,” she advises, a perspective that has helped Iskaparate grow from a pandemic response into a movement empowering thousands of Filipino mothers.
At its core, Iskaparate is more than a marketplace—it’s a community that recognizes the potential of mothers to shape inclusive and sustainable economies. By providing access to knowledge, technology, markets, and support, the platform helps transform kitchen table dreams into sustainable businesses that benefit entire communities.
For more information about joining the Iskaparate community or shopping from their vendors, visit Iskaparate.com.
