Over 30 young entrepreneurs showcased their ingenious business ideas at the first-ever Kiddo-preneur Fair at SM Aura last November 26, 2023.
SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr. (center) stands proudly alongside the young business owners.
Kiddo-preneur founder Maiki Oreta (center right) and SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr. (center left) join the more than 30 kiddo-preneurs.
Creativity and youthful acumen filled the air as kiddo biz owners displayed their entrepreneurial spirit, offering an array of products ranging from handmade accessories to stickers, grocery items to food and drinks, and an assortment of novelty items.
SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr. (right) purchases fan art stickers from the young entrepreneur, Carl Yap of CyberPokemon.
Beyond the lively market atmosphere, the event provided invaluable lessons from none other than SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr. He not only celebrated the young entrepreneurs’ endeavors but also shared pivotal lessons from his own journey.
SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr. shares that he learned the importance of saving and earning early in life when his father, SM Prime Holdings’ Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy, gave him his first allowance, emphasizing the values of patience and perseverance in achieving one’s desires.
Kiddo-preneur co-founder Maiki Oreta interviews SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr., gaining insights for tomorrow’s future tycoons.
Chico learned valuable business lessons from his grandfather, the late SM founder, Henry Sy, Sr. He recalled how his grandfather stressed that one’s reputation and treatment of others lay the foundation for lasting success. “How you deal in business or how you treat people is more important than money,” he said. “Your reputation– the way people perceive you– can never be bought with money. Money can be lost, money can be gained, but your reputation is forever.”
As parents also joined the event, assisting their children with booth setup, SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr. urged them to maintain a balanced approach, ensuring they provide just enough for their kids, drawing from his own experience of growing up in a family that valued moderation and comfort without excess.
For the budding entrepreneurs, Chico’s advice was simple yet profound: Love what you do and persist through challenges. He stressed the significance of genuine passion and continuous innovation, emphasizing that dedication eventually paves the way for success.
“My first and most important tip is to love what you do. Find that spark. But once you learn and do what you love, I am saying this: Keep doing it. There will be difficult times. There might be times when you do not have sales, but try to ask yourself: What can I do differently?”
At the end of the event, awards were given to promising young entrepreneurs and their business ideas. The Best Design was awarded to Candy Stix and its purveyors, Cassy (10) and Cara Pineda (6), for having the most visually appealing booth, which caught the attention of bazaar-goers. Beatrice Yu (9) was given Best Service for providing an exceptional customer experience while tending to her grocery store, Bea’s Supersavers. The B Force Squad, composed of siblings Faith Bea (5) and Brice Yap (9), and Beatrix (4) and Bryce Go (8), won the Best Concept award for having a unified execution from advertisement, packaging, to service and branding in selling giftable novelty items such as tote bags, tumblers, and educational toys. Lastly, Zo Keeper’s 7-year-old owner, Zoe Van de Leon, won the Best Ad award for garnering the most impactful social media ad for her products, reusable and eco-friendly snack containers.
The kiddo-preneur winners with their awards in Best Design, Best Service, Best Concept, and Best Ad.
Candy Stix, run by 10-year-old Cassy (right) and 6-year-old Cara Pineda, received the Best Design award for their visually appealing booth that captivated bazaar-goers.
Beatrice Yu, aged 9, earned the Best Service award for delivering an exceptional customer experience at her grocery store, Bea’s Supersavers.
7-year-old Zoe Van de Leon of Zo Keeper received the Best Ad award for creating the most impactful social media ad featuring her products: reusable and eco-friendly snack containers.
The B Force Squad, aged 5 to 9, won the Best Concept award for their cohesive execution in advertising, packaging, service, and branding while selling giftable novelty items.
Catch the next Kiddo-preneur Fair at The Podium Level 2, Atrium, on January 20 to 21, 2023, from 10 AM to 6 PM. To learn more about SM, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.
