Last 2020, the whole world came to a stop due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. For Mr. Tyrone Jasper Reodica, it was a very challenging and difficult time for him as a project-based government staff. Research projects were halted due to restrictions and his salary was delayed and it limited his income. This inspired Tyrone to venture into entrepreneurship. Tyrone’s entrepreneurial journey started out as an online selling business. At first, he was selling frozen and baked goodies and eventually, ventured into the very known pasabuy of special delicacies of Los Baños, Laguna, where he was based when the lockdown happened. With his dedication and passion to serve his customers, he was able to receive positive feedback and was able to generate repeat orders. Things were going well with his pasabuy venture but with his positive outlook and determination, he decided to let it all go and seized the opportunity to put up a food and beverage online business.

Let Eat Go was born, a pandemic-driven business vision that came to life. At first, his only goal was to survive, much like other microentrepreneurs during the pandemic. From being a pasabuy and trading business, Let Eat Go ventured into brewed goodies, innovative coffee-on-the-go and drip coffee which highlights local and flavored coffee produced nationwide. Tyrone also included snack items such as sausages and garlic bread that is best paired with their coffee. With Let Eat Go becoming more prominent in his hometown in San Pedro City, Laguna, and in the online social media community, Tyrone also introduced curated sets which were perfect for corporate giveaways and gifting. He also partnered with other micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to include mini desk calendars and coasters to complete the curated coffee sets.

For 2022, Let Eat Go was also enrolled under the One Town, One Product Next Generation (OTOP Next Gen) Program of the Department of Trade and Industry – Laguna Provincial Office (DTI Laguna). Through OTOP Next Gen, Let Eat Go participated in the Product Development Project and was provided with enhanced logo and new packaging for their baked goodies and designs for a proposed kiosk or coffee cart. Tyrone was also part of the Branding Development Project of OTOP Next Gen where they were mentored by Ms. Sherill Quintana, a Laguna homegrown OTOPreneur, owner of Oryspa Spa Solutions, and Chairman of the Philippine Franchise Association.

With the support of the Association of Laguna Food Processors Inc., Let Eat Go was able to join the marketing activities of DTI Laguna starting from the “Kalakal Laguna goes to Baguio City” last April 2022. This sparked the active and cooperative engagement of Let Eat Go with DTI. Let Eat Go was able to participate in numerous national, regional, and provincial trade fairs including the First Laguna OTOP Hybrid Expo, a provincial trade fair organized by DTI Laguna that showcased fifty (50) homegrown Laguna OTOPreneurs at the Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall last June 2022. He was also able to join numerous marketing activities of the Bureau of

Domestic Trade Promotions including the Hybrid National Trade Fair and a number of Bagsakan Trade Fairs in different location in the National Capital Region and Region 4A.

Tyrone’s entrepreneurial journey did not slow down last 2022. Recognizing his grit and fortitude, Tyrone was onboarded as the operator of OTOP Hub Enchanted Kingdom, the first OTOP Hub established in a tourist/theme park in the Philippines. OTOP Hub Enchanted Kingdom was the 4th OTOP Hub established in the province of Laguna and was established as a tripartite partnership of DTI Laguna, Enchanted Kingdom, and Tyrone’s Let Eat Go. At present, OTOP Hub EK has onboarded more than twenty (20) OTOPreneurs from Laguna and from nearby provinces in CALABARZON. Under his management, OTOP Hub Enchanted Kingdom is one of the top performing OTOP Hubs in Laguna despite its limited operation as it is only open from Fridays to Sundays in accordance with the park operations. They were also recently given a special award in the Enchanting Kapartners Appreciation Night 2023 hosted by Enchanted Kingdom last April 2023 for receiving guest commendations for their exemplary and joyful service to park guests.

Let Eat Go is not a mere microenterprise only. With the vision of Tyrone, Let Eat Go also prides itself as an advocacy to promote social causes. For their first anniversary, Tyrone initiated an online campaign called “#SupportLocal” which aimed to promote and help local businesses during the trying times of the height of the pandemic. In this first anniversary initiative, Let Eat Go was able to partner with thirty-five (35) MSMEs nationwide and promote these businesses in the social media platforms of Let Eat Go. For their second anniversary, Tyrone conceptualized and introduced the “#GoGreen” Campaign. The purpose of this campaign is to raise awareness among the consumers and his fellow MSMEs about sustainability and eco-friendly practices. He promoted this campaign nationwide and, in partnership with the City Government of San Pedro and other MSMEs, they were able to promote how each individual can live responsibly in their own ways. These initiatives were recently recognized by the City Government of San Pedro where Tyrone received the Green Award in recognition of his continuous involvement and support to the programs and projects of the City of San Pedro for the protection and preservation of the environment.

This 2023, learning and levelling up never stops for Let Eat Go. Tyrone continuously strives to improve his business by enrolling in a barista training at the barista and Coffee Academy of Asia to improve his barista skills and knowledge. He also joined the Kapatid Mentor Me – Money Market Encounter Online Program, wherein he is one of the ten (10) Laguna MSMEs who are part of the First Multisectoral Batch of Region 4A. His primary goal for this program is to further develop his entrepreneurial skills and take the opportunity to be mentored by the country’s prominent Go Negosyo mentors.

When asked about the most valuable lesson he learned through the DTI programs and assistances, Tyrone shared the quote from DTI Laguna Branding Mentor, Ms.

Sherill Quintana: “If you nurture the root, you don’t have to bother about the fruit. It will come naturally.” With the branding development provided by OTOP Next Gen Laguna, Tyrone learned about the importance of branding to guide him in fulfilling his vision and mission and to help the business thrive in the long run.

Want to just let it go and grab a cup of locally produced coffee? Let Eat Go products may be purchased via their Facebook page and at the following OTOP Hubs in Laguna, OTOP Hub Enchanted Kingdom, Santa Rosa City, Laguna and OTOP Hub UPLB, Los Baños, Laguna. ♦

Date of Release: 12 May 2023