The pandemic has displaced thousands of workers and entrepreneurs, as the government imposed mobility restrictions and lockdowns in a bid to contain the spread of the virus. Now that it found a new way of allowing businesses to resume while keeping the health protocols in place, Catherine and her husband Roderick Parce are hopeful that their source of income—baked goodies and supplies—will get back on track.
“This pandemic has greatly affected our Erc@th’s Goodies small online business, as we do not have that huge sum of money to keep up with the challenges. God’s great mercy and providence allowed my husband to work on board the vessel once again, after a long vacation because of stricter policies implemented brought about by several lockdowns. Our fervent prayer is to slowly expand our regular local patrons from within our premise and beyond NCR areas,” says Catherine, 48, who used to work as a nurse in the Philippines and abroad.
Catherine promotes Erc@th’s Goodies through online channels, particularly Facebook, Youtube and Google. It supplies various baked goodies, pastries and customized cakes for birthday parties and other events.
What makes Erc@th’s Goodies different is the way it delivers the products in style—on board the family’s subcompact sedan, adorned with party supplies.
Catherine says her baking journey actually began in 2000 while she was employed as a registered nurse overseas. “It started as a hobby but eventually became a career as I gained more ideas through online media like Youtube and Google,” she says.
When she decided to become a full-time mom to their son, she gained a whole new perspective that paved the way to her small online business. “Having my own oven and my families and friends as our patronizers, we then decided to venture into this challenging point in life,” she says.
Catherine bakes at home in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan where she does all the work, while her husband is in charge of driving the car, whenever he is in the country. He works at an international cruise vessel.
“Our online small business is located in our own residence and we have no employees as our slim budget can’t afford one. I am the baker, the cook and the delivery crew, while my husband drives the car. We’ve also decided to keep it small but of high quality,” says Catherine.
She says while their small online business is just like others, she makes sure the quality of goods and service is always attained at the highest level. “Ingredients are carefully handpicked and prepared and proper sanitation in the working area is always met,” she says.
Their target customers are ordinary people looking for sumptuous goodies for affordable price. “We managed to keep the small business moving despite the pandemic by promoting our mobile surprise package using our Wigo vehicle. We’ve learned to be more economical and diverse with our products which primarily started with brownies butterscotch and cupcakes and eventually led to customized cakes with other delicacies and dishes as add-ons. This pandemic has made me not just an improved baker but also a better and stronger individual,” says Catherine.
“We simply hope and pray that we could maintain the quality of goods and service of our small business which are all prepared with love,” says Catherine, a daughter of a pastor.
Her plan is to establish her own kiosk or cafe nook in their area soon. She encourages others to keep their faith amid this challenging period. “Believe in God’s loving promise and the resilience that we Filipinos are known for,” says Catherine.