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When the pandemic arose, many establishments, public facilities, and even restaurants were forced to closed because of the infectious Covid-19 virus. Many businesses owner doesn’t have a choice but to shut down their businesses without any single penny slips from their hands, completely zero income. That time, the economy was threatened to slip down.
Gila Salvador, a businesswoman, and Influencer, owner of MadCafé, a cafe and restaurant that is built in the busiest places in Quezon City.
Just like many of those jacks of all trades business owners, Gila spends the Month of March and April this year with zero income because MadCafé is one of the businesses in town that is forced to shut down due to the virus.
Fortunately, Gila found her new head start and use the power of technology. Through online deliveries and online types of payment, the business of hers continues to run once again.
The MadCafé is now adapting to the new normal. Gila shared that they’re accepting online payments through GCash. Soon they’ll be accepting PayMaya to help customers in e-paying.
Also, in MadCafé, they are accepting online deliveries through Grab and foodpanda.
Last year, she opened a drive-thru kiosk in the parking lot, a witty solution that attracts more customers especially during the pandemic when eating and drinking outdoors is at risk because of the Covid-19 virus.
This year was another blast and fruitful success of her MadCafé. They’re now successfully opened three branches in Quezon City, the first one is in Congressional; the second in Don Antonio; and the third in SM City Fairview.
MadCafé is the first-ever Milktea shop in the Philippines that has a drive-thru according to Gila. She also shared that she sees potentials in the bigger stores just like her branch at SM Fairview because it is very lenient, and malls don’t charge as much as before the pandemic. With low rental rates, it is good for any business that is starting in the pandemic.
MadCafé is a café and restaurant that also offers quality and with standards of Filipino type of eating. “Here in MadCafé, we elevate the standards of the Filipino quality type of eating and lifestyle,” she added.
Gila makes sure that everything at the MadCafé branches has interior design meets of its own.
“It is like an own destination of its own. It’s a movement, and it’s a lifestyle” Gila added.
She also announced that they are coming up with themes that people will enjoy looking out for.
“The way we do our interior design is with the elegant and crazy touch of different themes. MadCafé is everything. It is the cozy and homey perfect place to study, play games, and to dine in,” said Gila.
Also, Gila announces that she’s accepting franchisees that have experiences and ideas with the business. Requirements are just valid ID, proof of residency, and their interest letter.
“The good thing at MadCafé is we do everything for you, we do location scouting, we do construction, we do the management, and all the franchisees need to do is to wait for their money to return,” said Gila to her future franchisees that have an interest to work with her.
Some of us might know Gila as an entrepreneur but Gila is also a former Binibining Pilipinas candidate.
“My advocacy is self-reliance and independence. In Bb. most of the advocacies are for poverty, for sick, and for mentally ill. They’re advocating for someone else, so I want to advocate for self-first.” Gila speaks confidently.
Moreover, Gila withdraws her candidacy because she thinks she didn’t need a pageant to show people that a woman can be a businesswoman and be empowered and strong. Her business and platform on her YouTube account are there to prove that.
“Nothing comes easy. It is a learning process, it is a balance, you can never be too nice, and you can never be too hard on people. Decisions can’t be made on a black and white but sometimes it’s gray of a lot of things and a lot of variables all at once and you have to be smart enough to know how to make things work that as much as possible a lot of birds are hit with one stone,” said Gila as a young entrepreneur, a self-made millionaire, and an influencer, giving strong advice to aspiring entrepreneurs who are dreaming just to become like her.
“The pandemic has taught me despite everything, people who you’re with that will make it through the business, not just business concept itself”, Gila as she shares her lesson, learned at the time of the pandemic.
Just like Gila and many of us, this pandemic taught us to value and learn to rely on people who choose to stay with us in our worst, because we can’t survive alone and for the business itself, the thing that brings people together is the most important just like Gila viewed her MadCafé.
“I see MadCafé not only as a restaurant but an avenue of opportunities that brought people together”, Gila added.
MadCafé will be opening soon in Tayabas, Quezon.
UPDATE: During the enforced ECQ which was implemented on August 6, 2021, MadCafe had to close temporarily following the IATF’s announcement. They will be open as soon as the new heightened restrictions are recalled
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