A lady cake maker who was able to prosper her business through the help of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was recently named as one of the Successful Women Entrepreneurs in Caraga.
Sarah Guarte, a beneficiary of DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), received the award during the celebration of the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2017 at the Balanghai Hotel in Butuan City. The awards were given to outstanding women who thrived in the business sector in Caraga.
Sarah, owner of the Sarah’s Cakes and Pastries, was one of the seven women entrepreneurs recognized by the Regional Development Council – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee as part of the campaign on empowering women through entrepreneurship.
A long-time client of SETUP, Sarah has proven to successfully apply the different technologies, trainings, and other capacity development opportunities provided by DOSTin operating her business firm.
Road to Entrepreneurial Success
Like any other accomplished entrepreneur, Sarah’s business journey began in small and humble beginnings. Before she discovered baking, Sarah started her entrepreneurial journey in cooking and selling native delicacies. Her mother’s interest in baking led her to explore the world of cake-making. She revealed that she had many attempts of baking cakes perfectly in her own kitchen.
Receiving favorable reactions and comments, it encouraged her to put an edge on her skills. After years of carefully crafting her skills in baking, Sarah was able to establish a cake production facility in 2004. Sarah’s enduring dedication and commitment to her business made her as one of the 20Outstanding Caraga Women Entrepreneurs in 2010 by the Department of Trade and Industry – Caraga.
Her application in the SETUP Program of DOST has also aided Sarah’s business in establishing four branch stores of her firm inSurigaodel Sur. She was able to increase her sales from P400,000to P1,000,000. Just recently, Sarah was able to build a new cake production facility based on the recommendation of DOST’s Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program consultants.
SETUP empowers women
Women’s participation in the workforce greatly enhances productivity and fosters economic growth. Women represent a substantial force for sustainable development.The crucial part is getting resources for theworking women, allowing them to thrive in their economic environments so that they may, in turn, foster the success of local communities.
DOST, though SETUP,,encourages and assists MSMEs to adopt technology innovations to improve their operations, productivity, and competitiveness. The program enables firms to address their technical problems through technology transfer and technology interventions.
Mrs. Sarah Guarte of Sarah Guarte Cakes and Party Needs poses with Caressa Leanne V. Lim, provincial S & T director of DOST Surigao del Sur.
Sarah Guarte with the other awardees of Successful Women Entrepreneurs in CaragaRegion.
