LAGUNA, Philippines (Feb 2025) — What can P5,000 do? For Laguna-based couple Cholo and Gladys Quiaonza, it was enough to turn a simple idea into a thriving business: Spoonful Delights.
Cholo, a former retail and food service worker, started the business in 2016 with a love for leche flan and a vision to create unique flavored versions packed in bottles. With no physical store and limited capital, he turned to online platforms, finding that e-commerce offered a cost-effective way to reach more customers.
“Since I didn’t have enough money for a store, I used online platforms instead. I realized I could earn even more money online, considering I didn’t have rent expenses,” Cholo shared.
Expanding the Sweet Spot
From leche flan, Spoonful Delights expanded its product line to include Filipino favorites such as ube halaya, inutak, alamang (shrimp paste), and specialty vinegar. The business now operates online, joins bazaars, and supplies pasalubong centers and grocery stores.
Recently, Spoonful Delights participated in PLDT and Smart’s exclusive employee sale at the company’s Makati headquarters, part of the telecom firms’ ‘eBizNovation’ program. The initiative supports micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing digital skills training and e-commerce opportunities in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and local business groups.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Like many businesses, Spoonful Delights faced hurdles during the COVID-19 pandemic. With markets closing, Cholo pivoted by selling local vendors’ products online, expanding his customer base in the process. Demand soared, and at its peak, the business employed 20 workers, producing 1,800 pieces of leche flan daily.
Even as pandemic restrictions eased, the shift to work-from-home setups opened another opportunity. Seeing a demand for late-night meals in his neighborhood, Cholo and his team began selling silog meals in the evenings.
“In just two hours, we could earn enough to cover our utility bills,” Cholo said, adding that most orders came through Facebook and neighborhood group chats.
Lessons from the Journey
Despite the challenges of running a business, Cholo remains optimistic and shares his insights with aspiring entrepreneurs.
“It’s not easy to run a business. If it were, we’d all be rich by now,” he joked. “You need courage and prayers. Keep innovating, stay open-minded, and use e-commerce to grow your business. Sometimes, you don’t even need a physical store anymore—social media is your storefront.”
From a kitchen startup to a growing enterprise with a commissary and advanced equipment, Spoonful Delights’ success highlights the power of digital transformation for small businesses. Nearly a decade in, the brand continues to adapt and thrive, proving that with determination and innovation, even the smallest ventures can find their sweet spot.
Spoonful Delights is one of over 32,000 MSMEs nationwide supported by PLDT and Smart, reinforcing their commitment to helping local businesses succeed through technology.
