For many Filipino mothers, balancing work and family is a daily challenge, with six in 10 working moms saying they struggle to manage both responsibilities. Despite the pressure, many continue working to support their families.
For Sheena Mallari, that challenge became the push she needed to start something of her own.
Mallari, owner of JakeSheen Homemade Spreads and a Diskarteng Angat (Start-Up) winner of the 4th Gawad Madiskarte, turned a difficult season in her life into a small home business that now supports her family.
The business began during the pandemic, when Mallari was a first-time mother with no income and her partner also lost his job.
“There was a time when we had no food for a day. Our baby survived through breastfeeding and cloth diapers to help us save money,” Mallari said.
With limited options, the couple decided to try selling homemade sweets. What started in their kitchen slowly turned into JakeSheen Homemade Spreads, inspired by their shared love for yema spread and other affordable treats.
“We wanted to create something delicious and affordable that people would enjoy. Through hard work, courage, and faith, we slowly grew the business from our small beginnings,” she said.
From an initial capital of just ₱2,000, the business grew into a home-based brand with loyal customers and resellers across the country. It later expanded to include negosyo packages for people who want to start reselling the spreads.
Mallari now manages the business while also taking care of her child at home.
“Balancing motherhood and business is not easy, especially while raising a young child. Time management and teamwork are very important,” she said. “Thankfully, my partner is very supportive and helps me in every part of the business, from production to packing and deliveries.”
Beyond her family support, Mallari also found guidance in PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH community, a Facebook group that now has over 227,000 members.
The group connects mompreneurs and offers learning sessions and business support, including partnerships like Gemini Academy with Google Philippines, which teaches tools for productivity and marketing.
“I learned more about business, marketing, and how to stay resilient despite challenges. The success stories of other moms encouraged me to keep going and believe in our business journey,” Mallari said.
Her efforts were later recognized when she won the Diskarteng Angat (Start-Up) Award at the 4th Gawad Madiskarte, an award given to standout mompreneurs.
“It was a very fulfilling and emotional experience for me. It felt like all the sacrifices, sleepless nights, and hard work were finally recognized,” she said.
The recognition also helped boost the credibility of her business and allowed her to reinvest in equipment upgrades. Mallari said her journey shows how small beginnings can grow into something meaningful.
“Our business gave our family hope and motivation to continue striving for a better life,” she said. “We are capable of building something meaningful while taking care of our families.”
