TO VENTURE in a business, you need to take time planning for all the necessary steps to achieve success.
With this in mind, couple Evelyn Go Dacuyan and Jesus Dacuyan began a bakery business in August of 2004. At first, the couple was only baking and selling special homemade tortas through direct selling and door-to-door deliveries. The business soon grew with help from a background on the food business, both being stockholders in a family corporation which owned and operated Valencia City’s Taipan Hotel.
Karen’s Bakeshop finally opened its doors to customers on August 28, 2004 with its first branch in Hagkol, Valencia City, Bukidnon. The bakeshop was named after the couple’s only daughter, Karen.
Because of frequent visits to the city, the couple decided to open a branch along Vamenta Boulevard in Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City on 2007. But what began as a means to pay off travel expenses soon became another business opportunity. In 2007, the Dacuyans put up another branch in barangay Kauswagan and by August 2009, Karen’s Bakeshop opened a stall in Market City Agora. Karen’s Divisoria branch opened in 2011.
Year 2014 was a milestone for the couple as eldest son Jason graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in Business Management. That same year, a commissary in Carmen was constructed in order to centralize and control the quality of some of the pastries and bread products. That year, Jason joined the business as Operations Head, managing six branches in the city.
“It was hard for me and pressure, of course because it is my first time to manage our business. And I have six in my hands now. But I learned how to do what to do things from my Mom, who was very keen to details,” said Jason.
“The challenge of course is daghan baya bakeshop sa Cdo but I can say na we really have a name tungod sa among tasty bread. Actually, we specialized in pastries and breads. We have bakers but at the same time, kami ang mag provide ug mag formulate sa among kaugalingon na special products,” he added.
“Actually, we are not into cakes, naa me pero made to order siya, for birthdays, naa me. Pero kung day to day na display, mga afternoon cakes, kanang mga sliced cakes, wala me endana. We are into pastries and breads gyud,” he added noting on the Karen’s bakeshop products.
Now 23, Jason said joining the family business was really hard if not for the eagerness of his mother to teach him the things he should know. He said they are now planning on making the business grow more by going into cakes and coffee.
With 7 branches, Karen’s Bakeshop continues to build on years of experience and years of interaction with loyal customers. Being both affordable and top quality, the owners said, has become key in the success of Karen’s Bakeshop. With luck and hard work, Jason said they are looking at building more branches in the next years.