Mr. and Mrs. Jerryson Alcantara have worked as factory workers in Mariveles, Bataan. After several years of working as factory workers, challenges got in their way. Mr. Alcantara ended his contract and ventured into his own business. He started sewing bags with meager resources and using his own old sewing machine. Mrs. Benilda Alcantara resigned from her job to support his husband. The couple utilized the back pay they received from previous work and manage to build on their business eventually. With meager resources, the couple registered their business name with DTI on June 16, 2011 under the name Aura Bags Collection. It is situated in Sitio Aguang, Buhangin, Baler, Aurora.
With limited finances, the couple strategized their moves on how to build up their capacities and eventually promote their products to walk in buyers including the Philippine Army in Baler. From then on, Mr. and Mrs. Alcantara were able to capture their niche in Baler. They even expanded their markets to generate more sales and eventually introduce more product lines.
In 2014, Aura Bags Collection got into the limelight. More orders came from the local government units (LGUs) and other agencies as well as other souvenir retailers and shops. With the boom of tourism in Baler, Aura Bags Collections even went to buildi its production capacity to serve the needs of its buyers. More walk-clients and tourists passed by their shop and bought bags for souvenirs.
Recognizing the quality of bags and other wearable items produced by Aura Bags Collection, DTI explored support services meant to improve and level up the operations of the company. More invitations to local, regional and national trade fairs were extended by DTI to Aura. They were also given trainings and seminars on capacity building. Business support like loan facilitation, product development and marketing promotion were among the services availed by the couple. The enrollment of Aura Bags Collection to the Kapatid Mentor Micro Enterprise (Mentor ME) in 2017 also paved the way to more opportunities. The learnings gained from the 10-modular sessions (all about business operations management) led the company to level up its operations.
Today, Aura Bags Collection delivers 240, 000 pcs. of different bags, pouches and souvenir items in a year inside and outside of Aurora Province. From one sewer, Aura Bags Collection now employs a full time complement of 10 sewers and 1 secretary. They hire more part-time work force when there are lots of orders. Aura Bags recently acquired 15 sewing machines, and has since established four stores in different tourist spots in Aurora.
With the Kapatid Mentor ME Project, where the assistance of the Negosyo Center came into view, Aura Bags even went high in terms of market niche thereby allowing the company to gain more buyers and sales. The Negosyo Center in Baler made efforts to monitor the progress of its assistance to the company and as seen, as things went on smoothly.
Despite the company’s success, the couple sustained their commitment to level up with their competitors. Mrs. Alcantara said – “Hindi ka magiging successful sa business kung hindi mo papahalagahan ang mga taong katulong at katuwang mo sa pagasenso at pagnenegosyo.”
She believes that her workers are more important than money. “Dahil ang pera kikitain mo naman yan, pero yung mga tao mo na nandyan, para tulungan ako sa aming negosyo ay hindi matatawaran ng kahit ilang halaga ng pera. Yung maiiwan ko sa kanila na alaala kung paano ko sila itrato bilang kapamilya, yun yung gusto kong maalala nila kahit wala na sila sa akin”.
The secret to Aura’s Bags Collection success lies in how they give importance to their workers and in ensuring quality and excellence at work. The company has built up an image of affordable and quality bags and this translated more successful market linkages with institutional buyers ordering in volumes. Aura Bags Collection has captured the hearts of many, with its affordable and quality bags. With its commitment to serve and inspire, the company hopes to expand its horizons to serve more.