Dona Jane Cariaga, the founder of Cart ‘n’ Char, was awarded first place in the prestigious “Great Idea” category at Singapore’s BYU Management Society Asia Business Plan Competition 2024. This was Dona’s first time participating in the competition, and she describes the experience as both rewarding and eye-opening.
In an interview about her win, Dona shared, “The competition was an amazing experience. The leaders involved are very professional, and I felt their commitment to promoting moral and ethical leadership worldwide. Winning First Place was a huge bonus, but the real reward was my confidence and clarity to move forward with Cart ‘n’ Char.
Table of Contents
- The Birth of Cart ‘n’ Char
- Winning the Business Plan Competition
- Overcoming Challenges and Ensuring Sustainability
- Addressing Access to Fresh Seafood and Supporting Local Farmers
- Unique Business Model and Community Impact
- Looking Ahead: Challenges and Growth Plans
- Social Media Engagement
- Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- Related Content
The Birth of Cart ‘n’ Char
Dona’s journey to creating Cart ‘n’ Char stemmed from her desire to help her community in Isabela, where many face financial struggles. “I’ve always wanted to help others, especially here in Isabela, where life can be tough, particularly regarding finances. Many people in our province struggle because they lack resources and opportunities to improve their lives,” she explained.
The idea for Cart ‘n’ Char came about after Dona identified key challenges facing the local community, including income instability for farmers and limited access to fresh seafood. She created a mobile seafood grilling cart that would directly bring affordable, fresh seafood to the locals while offering additional income opportunities to local farmers.
Winning the Business Plan Competition
Dona credits the BYU Management Society Asia Conference and the Business Plan Competition with helping her develop a solid business plan. “Starting a business requires careful thought and planning,” she said. The feedback from the leaders showed me the gaps in my plan and helped me refine my idea. This process helped me make sure the business was ready for success.”
Overcoming Challenges and Ensuring Sustainability
Running a business in Isabela comes with its unique challenges. The local community is known for being cautious with their spending, and many businesses struggle to succeed because they cannot meet the community’s needs or budgets.
To make Cart ‘n’ Char sustainable, Dona focused on offering affordable, healthy, and convenient food. By directly providing fresh, grilled seafood to people, she meets their demand for quality food at a reasonable price without needing them to travel far or spend extra money.
Addressing Access to Fresh Seafood and Supporting Local Farmers
One of the key issues in Isabela is access to fresh seafood. The province is 4-6 hours away from the nearest coastal areas, making it a long and costly journey for seafood to reach the local market. However, Dona’s mother-in-law, who has been selling fresh seafood for over a decade, has provided a reliable supply chain for Cart ‘n’ Char. This collaboration helps make fresh seafood more affordable for the business.
Cart ‘n’ Char also tackles the issue of seasonal income instability for farmers by offering them the opportunity to work as mobile cart vendors. Dona trains these farmers, helping them gain valuable skills to support their professional growth and open up future opportunities.
Unique Business Model and Community Impact
Cart ‘n’ Char stands out in Isabela for several reasons. First, its mobile nature allows the business to bring fresh grilled seafood directly to busy areas, markets, and neighborhoods, making it a convenient and accessible option for locals. Additionally, working with local fishermen, Dona’s direct supply model helps ensure the seafood is fresh and affordable, cutting out the middleman.
The business model also focuses on creating job opportunities for local farmers by offering them work during the off-season and helping boost the local economy. Cart ‘n’ Char’s mission is to create long-term growth for both the farmers and the community by providing a consistent source of income and fresh, healthy food options.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Growth Plans
While Dona is excited about Cart ‘n’ Char’s growth, she anticipates several challenges. She plans to address key hurdles such as ensuring a steady supply of fresh seafood, expanding the business sustainably, and managing competition. To ensure sustainability, Dona is strengthening relationships with local fishermen and exploring additional suppliers to meet growing demand.
Cart ‘n’ Char is already eyeing expansion, with plans to introduce more carts in high-traffic areas and even consider franchising in the future. The business will also continue engaging with the community through its social media channels, informing customers about locations, promotions, and special offers.
Social Media Engagement
Dona encourages the public to follow Cart ‘n’ Char on Facebook for updates and to learn more about the mobile seafood grilling business. She plans to use the platform to keep customers informed and connected as the business grows.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Dona offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those in rural areas. “Leverage local resources, start small, and stay lean,” she said. “Build strong relationships with local suppliers, understand your market, and stay persistent. It’s a tough road, but solving real community problems will lead to success.”
Cart ‘n’ Char’s story is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship to uplift communities and create sustainable, impactful businesses. With its focus on local resources, job creation, and affordability, it’s poised for continued success in Isabela and beyond.
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Business Plan Information
BYU Management Society（BYUMS）Asia Region is organizing the Business Ideas and Plan Competition to support and promote the spirit of self-reliance and entrepreneurial start-ups in the region. The BYUMS Business Plan Competition promotes creativity, idea generation, and entrepreneurship by recognizing innovative ideas for new products, services, and technology and, more importantly for encouraging people to become more self-reliant.
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