Melo Villareal
Binalot (www.binalot.com) is one among many companies that practice or observe diversity from the Boardroom, to its Management and to its Franchisees. There are four women out of seven in its Board, there are women leading its operations with Irene Lucas , its COO at the helm of day-to-day activities; three women in Marketing and a woman manager in Business Development. Added to them are the many women cashiers, staff and crew in the stores. The 18-year old Pinoy fast food company credits gender diversity for its continued success.
Binalot Crew
Women in Binalot are also very much present among the franchise partners. Here we take note of some admirable examples among its business partners.
For Ami Romualdo, being a franchisee in Fisher Mall, QC takes her time. But what takes even more time is being a mother of two. So, a franchise business is actually the best deal for a busy mom like her. She can get very hectic at work but it is comforting to know that she can always turn to professionals and more experienced managers to help her run her store.
Binalot Cashiers
“It’s also good to have trained staff,” she continues. “At least I do not have to think of everything as all of us got trained in the same way, in the same system,” she declares.
Being women’s month, we focus on these women who balance work and family life and salute them for their ability to harmonize home and business activities.
For Jocelyn Lantaka and Marjorie Hornido, however, what they balance is holding day jobs while being franchisees at the same time. Jocelyn works for a telco while Marjorie owns and runs a construction company. These two women operate a franchise in Tagbilaran, Bohol .
They all like the idea of a franchise concept because there is a system. There is previous experience from the owners and managers who can guide provide guidance. The best opportunity for the Tagbilaran duo is the BPI Ka-Negosyo loan facility that they availed. BINALOT happens to be in the A list of BPI for Franchise Opportunity Loans.
“Take the plunge,” the two women say. “Take some risks such as getting a loan like what we did,” they say in chorus.
Woman Wrap it all up at Binalot
Another woman franchise partner is Gold Grabato who holds the distinction of running not just one, but two Binalot stores in Iloilo. She also balances her duties as a mom so she first attends to her son before going to the stores. Besides that, she also helps her husband with his construction business. She balances not only her home and family life but also take on more than the usual load of work. “I treat with a healthy dose of passion the managing of the different facets of my life as a mother, wife and businesswoman. I find it challenging and I like it that way.”
Women will always be multi-taskers and this trait is admirable as seen with these ladies who balance business and work or business and raising a family. Women are also believed to pay more attention to details and this trait helps in addressing the minute operational tasks that a restaurant business entails.
Women also know about finance because they hold the purse. They also are good borrowers as seen in many studies abroad. By getting a franchise, women have the help and expertise they need to draw experience from a proven system while being able to practice their own styles.
Being International Women’s Month, we pay tribute to these women who practice good business sense with their intuitive qualities. We hope to inspire more women like them to engage in running a business like a franchise.
Happy Women’s Month and may more women join the family of business owners like Ami, Gold, Jocelyn and Marjorie.
