Elsa Tonido

Elsa thought that it was hard to put up a business if the capital is small but to her own experience, from selling coconut wine she was able to put a sari-sari store. From her proper management of their businesses, she was able to acquire their own house and some household appliances.

Mrs. Elsa Tonido, 42, of Brgy San Diego Burauen Leyte is a mother of two and a supportive wife of Ramir Tonido. Her husband works as a labourer and has no regular job. Elsa helped her husband in earning extra income through manicure and pedicure just to sustain their family needs. Elsa knows that without a regular income it will very hard for then to provide the basic needs of their two children who are both studying in elementary school.

With their own savings from their earnings they have started their own business which is coconut wine vending. To show his support to his wife, her husband decided to become coconut wine gatherer. They have invested in buying and selling coconut wine. They would buy the coconut wine from the gatherers and then they would sell it to their clients. Because of their proper management on handling the business, they were able to save some money to put up a variety store. From the income of their businesses they were able to send their children in school and provide their basic needs.

Elsa remembered the time when they were really hard up and they are just renting one room with one electric light with no appliances. She was really eager to have their own house to make her children comfortable. Her children are her inspiration to strive hard. Through their business, they have acquired a house of their own even though it is only made of “nipa” and “amakan”. They have also bought some appliances like TV and sofa sets. She has also acquired a tricycle.

Elsa is very proud of the good outcome of her business. She wishes that she could have an additional capital for the expansion of her business. She would like to acquire a land to be use as a plantation of coconuts to increase the production of their coconut wine. She also wanted to convert her variety store into a grocery store. A bigger capital would increase their income and so she could be sure that she could provide a better education for her children.

Elsa always believes that even with a small capital you could have a big business if you only know now to manage it properly. And of course she also believes that through her faith in God everything becomes possible.