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5 Things Nobody Tells You About Running a Business in the Philippines

Sheila Morales, founder of Delgado.112 with the StoreHub POS | Andre Chanco, founder of Yardstick Coffee, serving customers

Running a business sounds like a dream – being your own boss, building something you love, and calling the shots. But behind every “dream job” are realities no one really talks about.

We spoke to five different business owners across the Philippines who shared their honest experiences – from choosing the right location to managing unexpected growth.

These are the lessons you don’t often hear about, but every business owner should know.

The best ideas often come from unexpected places

Sheila Morales, founder of Delgado.112 on her laptop | The interiors of Delgado.112

When Sheila Morales first set foot in what would become Delgado.112, she wasn’t standing in a sleek, modern building. Instead, she was inside one of the oldest homes in Tomas Morato – an ancestral house tucked away amongst the usual hustle and bustle of Quezon City’s food scene.

Most wouldn’t have thought of it as a prime location. The structure was old. The layout wasn’t your typical commercial space. But Sheila saw something else. She saw history. She saw character. And she saw an opportunity to create something different.

Instead of stripping it down or starting from scratch, she leaned into the soul of the space. Every detail of Delgado.112 – from the warm wooden interiors to the carefully preserved capiz windows – reflects that intention.

And that authenticity paid off. Delgado.112 attracted foodies, families, creatives, and couples looking for a unique spot that felt like home.

What Sheila built is proof that not all great concepts come from shiny new builds or million-peso fit-outs. Sometimes, the magic lies in the old bones of a place – if you’re willing to look closer and build with heart.

A great dining experience isn’t just about the food

Jan Rodriguez, founder of The Weekend | The Weekend team

The Weekend isn’t your typical restaurant–and that’s by design.

When Jan Rodriguez opened The Weekend in Cebu, he wasn’t just aiming to serve good food. He wanted to create a place where every detail–from the service to the soundtrack to the aircon temperature to the plating–felt intentional.

Because, at the end of the day, it was all about crafting a complete experience, one that diners would remember long after the last bite.

Yes, the dishes are bold, refined, and rooted in Filipino flavors. But what really sets The Weekend apart is the atmosphere. It feels elevated yet grounded. Cool without trying too hard. Every element works together to reflect Jan’s belief that local dining can be world-class.

Even when the team faced challenges, they stayed committed to that bigger vision.

The Weekend reminds us that people don’t just come back for the food. They also come back for how you make them feel.

Your first customers are your employees

Andre Chanco, founder of Yardstick Coffee | The Yardstick Coffee team

Yardstick Coffee wanted to go beyond just brewing a good cup. They set out to raise the yardstick for the entire Philippine coffee industry – hence the name.

From day one, founder Andre Chanco knew that building something meaningful meant starting with the people behind it. That’s why Yardstick Coffee’s culture is rooted in four core values: C.A.F.E. – Customer-centric, Always on fire, Focused, and Einstein-thinking when solving problems.

These values aren’t just stuck on a wall somewhere. They shape how Yardstick Coffee hires, makes decisions, and navigates challenges. Whether someone’s a barista, technician, or part of the sales team, everyone is evaluated and guided through the same lens.

And when the culture’s strong, growth follows. At Yardstick Coffee, baristas have gone on to explore roles in HR and sales. Employees are celebrated for living out the values, and every career path is treated like a journey – not just a job.

As Andre puts it, your first customers are your employees. If you invest in them, they’ll invest in the mission – and in the long run, that’s what creates a brand that actually leaves a mark.

When plans fall apart, new ones can take shape

Jona Lee, founder of HappiLee Korean Kitchen, with her husband | A flatlay of HappiLee Korean Kitchen's signature menu items

Before it became a household name, HappiLee Korean Kitchen wasn’t even a restaurant.

Jona Lee had spent over a decade in the airline industry before leaving to focus on her family. Together with her husband, they ran an English tutorial school for Korean students in Tagaytay – a business that was stable, growing, and deeply rooted in hospitality.

But when the Taal Volcano erupted and the pandemic hit shortly after, everything came to a halt. Their entire business model–based on travel, tours, and in-person learning – vanished overnight.

It could’ve ended there. But instead of calling it quits, they pivoted.

With leftover food supplies meant for their students, they began cooking Korean meals from home. What started as a temporary solution quickly took off – because beyond just good food, people were also hungry for comfort, familiarity, and something to look forward to during the lockdown.

That’s how HappiLee Korean Kitchen was born – not from a perfect plan, but from an unexpected detour.

Today, it’s a growing F&B brand with multiple outlets and a cult following among Korean food lovers in the Philippines.

Jona’s story is proof that sometimes, your “Plan A” has to fall apart… so something even better can take its place.

Talk less about products, more about people

Lanz Castillo, founder of Candid Coffee, with his team | The Candid Coffee cart

Photo Credit: Candid Coffee’s Official Instagram Account

When Lanz Castillo opened Candid Coffee,he knew that getting people through the door was about building lifelong connections.

From day one, storytelling became his go-to tool. “The storytelling part, I think it’s ingrained in all of us,” Lanz shared. “When you meet your friends, anong unang tatanungin mo? Anong kwento mo?” That same instinct – to listen, to ask, to share – shaped the way he approached every customer.

But it didn’t stop there.

Lanz made sure his team had a system for truly getting to know people. “We have protocols in place on how to get to know our customers,” he explained. Because when you give people the space to talk about themselves, it creates trust. Comfort. A sense of belonging.

For Lanz, it was never about pushing a sale. It was about starting a conversation – and then building on it.

That’s why Candid Coffee became a space where customers are treated like people with stories worth hearing. And over time, that simple philosophy turned first-time visitors into loyal regulars, all because someone took the time to ask, “Anong kwento mo?”

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