Junior Preneur 2014: A sellout success

MANILA, Philippines - Kiddie power rules!

Judging from the turnout at this year’s Junior Preneur event, more and more Pinoy kids are getting a headstart in business.

Bustling with enthusiasm and fresh business insights, hundreds of kids trooped to the Greenhills Shopping Center’s Jewellery section recently for the annual event that aims to inspire entrepreneurship and increase financial literacy among kids.

Manning their respective booths, this year’s batch of participants had a field day selling items such as pastries, bakery items, sports apparel, customized T-shirt stickers, giant bubbles, bracelets and other novelty items — with a little help from mom and dad, of course.

Adding even more interest to the whole-day affair was a baking workshop (conducted by former actress LJ Moreno), a singing workshop (conducted by Center for Pop Music), an animal appreciation workshop and a basketball clinic led by top cagers Arwind Santos, Joe Devance, Nic Belasco, Mike Cortez, Samigue Eman, RJ Jazul, Vince Hizon, along with UAAP college superstar, Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo de Manila University.

Now on its third year, Junior Preneur was conceptualized by mother/entrepreneur Cherry Genato and former beauty queen Mafae Belasco. Held at Tiendesitas during its first two years, the event got an even better push this year with the support of San Juan Vice Mayor and Junior Preneur co-presentor, Francis Zamora, who is himself an entrepreneur and restaurateur.

The devoted father of four was ecstatic about his kids’ initiative and participation in the event, dutifully selling sweets and pastries at their Goldilocks Greenhills booth.

Citations were also awarded to kids for Best Booth Display, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Award, CEO Award and Highest Sales Award.

A highlight of the event was the turnover of part of the total sales proceeds to this year’s beneficiary, the Right Start Center, an NGO for underprivileged children, represented by their executive director, Arlene Sy.

Also adding glitz and glam to the event were model-host Bianca Valerio and actress Danica Sotto-Pingris.