Continuing decades of support for millions of Filipino moms across the country, Surf Philippines, has launched the first ever online entrepreneurship program—Wais University. The program has since gained more than 13,000 enrollees for the program and counting.
Surf envisions the program to be a catalyst for change that will help Wais moms all over the country to be successful in their entrepreneurship journey by promoting confidence to pursue their own business, help better understand the ins and outs of the trade, and give a better chance with any endeavor they want to launch.
Two recent Wais University alumni, Ruby Pagobo and Bernadette Aguilar, share their stories as to how joining Surf’s online business course has provided them enough knowledge and confidence to finally start their own businesses, enabling them to dream bigger for themselves and their families.
Challenges Faced
Ruby, a full-time mom, dreams of one thing: Financial independence.“Gusto ko magakaroon ng financial freedom, yung walang utang kasi siyempre gusto ko ma-secure yung future ng pamilya ko. Yung asawa ko naman OFW, so minsan mahirap talaga.”
Bernadette, who’s also a full-time housewife and mom, is working towards financial stability and is willing to learn more practical skills that can help start her own business. However, it hasn’t been a steady journey as she admits that there are times that her family often has to scrimp so that they can afford daily needs. “Napagkakasya ko ang budget para sa pangangailangan namin sa pamamagitan ng pagtitipid at pag-una ng mahahalagang bagay.”
The pandemic and current inflation also took toll on both families. Bernadette recounts that loss of stable income and rising prices of goods have become one of the greatest challenges they have faced as a family especially when it comes to everyday needs.
New Normal, New Knowledge
Being Wais moms themselves and in hopes to gain more knowledge and opportunities to earn, both Ruby and Bernadette have signed up for the Wais University, a program launched by Surf with the help of the Filipina Homebased Moms (FHMoms) community group on Facebook.
“Yung tingnan ko po yung mga topic na idi-discuss sa webinar, pasok po siya sa negosyo namin na gustong gawin,” Ruby recounts. “May nasimulan na kaming negosyo na online sushi store kaso nagsara noong bagyong Odette. Pero ngayon, sisimulan ulit namin pag uwi ng asawa ko.”
Bernadette quickly became interested since the free virtual format befits her as a stay-at-home mom. “Naging interesado akong matuto ng mga skills na iniisip kong makakatulong sa akin. Lalo na pag may libreng oras ako, may mapaglaanan ako na importante at saka libre naman, nasa bahay lang din ako at may gamit na cellphone.”
Wais Learnings
Both Ruby and Bernadette admit that they enjoyed taking part in the online entrepreneurship program.
For Ruby, the assessment part of the program allows her to test her learnings. She’s now more confident and enthusiastic to work especially because she now knows what permits she needs in establishing both an online and physical store.
“Lahat tayo may pangarap sa buhay, kaya go lang ng go!” encourages Ruby. “Ang mga problema nandiyan talaga yan kaya maghanap tayo ng paraan para magka-business. Sipag at Tiyaga lang talaga.”
Meanwhile, Bernadette is excited for other moms who get to enroll in the future as the course is free and provides resources to help moms be more confident in starting their own business. Bernadette flourishes with her own soap-making business, applying her Wais University learnings.
She encourages other moms to take advantage of this free program, invest in their own learnings and start their own Wais Journey. “Yung may kids na pwede mag invest ng time sa pagsali sa mga grupo na sumusuporta sa mga ina at matuto sa ikauunlad ng sarili para makahanp ng opportunity na kumita nang hindi kailangang gumastos ng malaki. It takes time talaga pero worth it yung learning.”
Want to gain the confidence in starting and growing your own business like Ruby and Bernadette? Enroll for free Negosyo Courses at www.waisuniversity.com to start your Wais journey to financial independence!
