Tough Transitions

Eden Satinitigan is a businessman that has enjoyed a comfortable career as one of the owners of two companies. KDJA Construction Services, an engineering and construction firm, and SafeXpress Logistics, Inc., a supply chain company, was business-as-usual until the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic struck. The ensuing quarantine limited the operation of construction companies, while logistics firms had to be more stringent, and invest more, in order to keep operating amidst a pandemic. With one of their businesses pretty much in limbo, Eden knew he had to make a drastic shift to compensate. Fortunately for him, One of SafeXpress’s clients for the past two years \was Alfamart, the first and only Super Minimart in the Philippines. So when he decided to open up the take-out roast chicken stall, Chic.boy Republik , he knew exactly whom to partner with to give his new business an instant boost. “I knew the correct door to knock on,” Eden said. “Then phone calls turned into meetings. Then meetings turned into what Chic.Boy Republik Corp is today,” he continued. Barely six months from opening their first two stalls in the Saog and Sta. Rosa II Alfamart branches (both in Marilao, Bulacan), Chic.Boy Republik expanded to three more branches in other Alfamart stores. Eden credited the success of the business to the advice he got from Alfamart. “We were new to the food business so we really needed all the help we could get,” he said. “Alfamart has been very supportive of us since day one. They helped us make sound business decisions as we explored this whole new world of the food business,” he added. “Alfamart is always ready to help its partners,” said Alfamart Philippines COO Harvey T. Ong. “We’ve always had a culture of inclusive growth, and aim to raise each other up. This remains true whether it be in times of crisis or of relative comfort. Partnering with Chic.Boy Republik was a joy because they were willing to take risks, and eager to improve in their new line of business,” he continued. Alfamart Philippines is always looking for small businesses to partner with. For more information on how your business can work together with Alfamart, visit https://www.alfamart.com.ph/be-a-tenant/.