Women in Media Unite for the GREAT Women Brand
Behind every great man is a great woman, so we say. During the event dubbed as “Women in Media” last February 21, 2013 which was held in Milky Way Cafe in Makati, it was a little different. That event confirmed that behind great products are great women.
The GREAT Women Brand (GWB) Program
From its rather long official project name title:” Value Adding Selected Products of Women Micro Enterprises in Selected GREAT Women Project Sites and Development of Women’s Product Brand to Markets”, the project now assumes the shorter title of the “Great Women Brand Program”. This project was funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in coordination with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). The ECHOsi Foundation which is the the non-profit development arm of ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle retail brand partnered with PCW in an effort to fill in the gaps of product development commonly encountered by women entrepreneurs in relatively small communities.
GREAT Women is the acronym for Gender Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women. ECHOsi, on the other hand stands for Enabling Communities with Hope and Opportunities Sustainable Initiatives. From the meanings of these acronyms alone, it can be surmised that this initiative is being done to provide an enabling environment for women to be economically productive.
Target Participants of the Program
The GREAT Women Brand Program of PCW and the ECHOsi Foundation are seeking women-produced community products. So far, they have already visited Quezon, Metro Naga in Camarines Sur, Bohol, Iloilo, Leyte, Davao del Sur and PALMA+PB Alliance in North Cotabato. Prior to this search, the founders of the pioneering green retail store ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle namely Chit Juan, Jeannie Javelosa, and Reena Francisco have been going all over the country since 2009. They were looking for specific products from women microenterprise groups and cultural communities that can be leveled-up and promoted in high-end markets through the ECHOstore.
ECHOstore’s flagship store is located in Serendra, Fort Bonifacio Global City. There are two branches which are located in Podium, Ortigas Center and the Eton Centris Mall in EDSA corner Quezon Avenue. In order to achieve the goal of bridging the gap between the “humble” sources of the products and the “elite” environment of the market they wish to penetrate, the need for product development was identified. Obviously, a great product idea has to translate its greatness in a product standard that can compete with any other product that poses a challenge to it.
The Ongoing Efforts within the Program
The GREAT Women Brand Program ultimately seeks to place all the worthy women-produced products that do not have the benefit of branding in one identifiable brand that represents quality. The program has already identified the gaps that currently exists which can hinder the success of a product. These are in the areas of product design and creation, product variants, certification, linking to stakeholders, market access and opening, and microfinancing.
ECHOsi has posed a challenge to women entrepreneurs who wish to be part of the program. Potential participants must go through initial assessment and complete their assignments which will be given to them for the improvement and development of their proposed products. This phase is very critical since it will determine their inclusion in the program. Their hard work will be rewarded by being able to use the GREAT Women Brand which can be their stepping stone towards their own brand in the future.
The ECHOsi Foundation has made it clear that GWB – the brand can be licensed for use by any women’s microenterprise venture which would require branding to help them get into the market subject of course to the product standard set by the program. It is a positive development that notable designers, exporters, and product developers have been traveling around the country with ECHOsi Foundation to lend their expertise and knowledge specifically to women communities whose products show real potential. Clearly, this program is not merely for talk but rather of actions that can lead to realization of goals.
Launching of the GREAT Women Brand
The formal launching of the The GREAT Women Brand will fittingly happen during Women’s Month on March 19, 2013. It will be held at the Yuchengco Museum located at RCBC Plaza, Sen. Gil Puyat corner Ayala Avenues in Makati City. It is expected to showcase the various products that have passed the standards of the program.
My Say
The “Women in Media” event was intended to get the support of women in media specifically in spreading the information that there is such a thing as the GREAT Women Brand initiative. The organizers couldn’t have tapped a better group to do the job. Women (and men) from various forms of media came in full force to hear what this program is all about.
It was an opportune time to see how people driven by a common objective can work together and find real hope that their program can actually succeed. Given the length of this post, I know that I have not even made a dent on the quantity of information that needs to be known about the program. This is probably because the program’s story never really ends.
It is worth mentioning the presence of the Ms. Jeannie Javelosa, the President of the ECHOsi Foundation Inc.; Ms. Pacita Juan, President of the Women’s Business Council of the Philippines and the ECHOstore; Ms. Remedios Rikken, Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women, and H.E. Christopher Thornley, Ambasador of Canada to the Philippines who good-naturedly noted his “token male presence” in the event. Program partners including Milky Way Cafe and Tesoro’s Group of Companies were also represented. Last but not the least, three of the most promising women entrepreneurs under the program came and shared their stories in relation to their journey of developing their own products.
This event has inspired in me to resolve to do the best that I can in what I do since I now understand that great women can rise from anywhere. I don’t usually co-relate my blogging as being part of mainstream media. After attending this “Women in Media” event however, I actually felt like applying the standards of the GREAT Women Brand Program in my own work.
Engkantadang Malikot
This is one good event for a woman. I wish I was there for me to be able to meet such amazing and inspirational women.
Teresa Martinez
It was a privilege meeting all these people who have come together to make something that will benefit women entrepreneurs.
Rovie
I know most men may not agree but I would dare say that the success of the family lies in every woman. It may not be appreciated all the time but a woman will do everything to the extent of giving up her life and selling her soul just to give the best to her family especially to her kids.
With the chance to earn by having her own business, a woman is all the more empowered and can surely make a difference in the family and in the community as well.
Teresa Martinez
Statistics would show that most women-led businesses were inspired by the need to put food on the table.
mai
this is great initiative. projects like these are close to my heart having seen how local producers and exporters work hard to meet the high standards set of by importers all over the world, while I was working with a Japanese government agency over ten years ago. The Philippine exporters that I met were really very creative and most of the owners are women. And also, most of the businesses were family businesses with the women leading the way. not bias, just saying. 🙂 kudos to CIDA for funding. best of luck to ECHOsi!
Teresa Martinez
It is a fact that most businesses are led by women, whether or not they are acknowledged for it.
betchai
empowering women to be economically productive, what a great cause it is. with respect to men, i believe in the inner strength and capabilities of women to succeed in the field of endeavor they choose because their hearts are able to guide their mind and their mind are able to keep in touch with their hearts, their passion to what they do surely is transformed to their products giving them success. this post reminds me of my late mom, she is really a super mom to me, my super model, she did so much for all of us to be where we are now. am sure, many other moms are too.
Teresa Martinez
I believe there are so many women (and men) who are out there trying to do everything they can to give their respective families a good life.
Dhemz
sounds like a great program for all women out there.
Teresa Martinez
It actually. I really felt the hope and inspiration in the three women entrepreneurs I talked to during the event.
Ron
well this is definitely a great program to help many women as well… women makes any man make his best… like how my wife makes me a man… by all means for me she’s the most important being together with my kiddo.. 🙂
Teresa Martinez
I agree , this program can definitely go a long way in really helping women entrepreneurs do good in their business goals.
Yannie
Thanks for sharing. I am inspired to thrive in my interest in crafting especially using polymer clay. I believe branding my creations under GWB would help my dream realize as an artist who craves for attention from the media and buyers.
Teresa Martinez
You should definitely work on this. I would really like to see your products included under GW Brand.
Lainybelle
Women has become very successful in whatever endeavor they wish to undertake. They do excel in a lot of specialized fields where no man has thrived before. I salute women who makes a mark in every chosen field of interests. They always rise to the occasion and continues to inspire just like you sharing what women can do better. Thanks for sharing.
Teresa Martinez
It would appear that women are no longer limited by anything especially when it comes to making a productive living. This is more so if they are given access to resources that will help them produce not just any product but quality products.
papaleng (@papaleng)
Behind every great man is a great woman, and beyond a man’s downfall is another woman..so we say.. LOL Wow! great way to unite and empower women to fully unleash their creative power. I like their idea of putting together all the worthy women-produced products into a single brand tag that represents quality.
Teresa Martinez
This initiative hopefully fills in the gap between a great product and its target market.
Chubskulit Rose
This reminds me of my mother. She always has been interested in having her own business. She still does it till this day even if we went her to just relax at home.. I salute women with entrepreneurial skills and talent.
Teresa Martinez
With due respect to men, women do have a knack for doing business in almost any field.
Nova
thanks for sharing…you have given me information that i don’t know…
Teresa Martinez
I believe this is something worth sharing especially to women who may have some great product ideas but are merely limited by resources.
msculit Ria C
That’s a good way to showcase community products and give livelihood to our fellowmen.
Do they have a specific website to visit so we can see other products being showcased? Thanks!
Teresa Martinez
You can visit http://www.echosi.org.ph/ to know more about the products being offered by GREAT Women entrepreneurs.
kulasa
Women can do so many wonderful things when united. “Great women can rise anywhere,” I totally agree 🙂 Keep doing what you do best. Have a blessed day. 🙂
I love your lovely smiles in the photos…truly women of substance..
Teresa Martinez
It has been noted during the event that women are naturally inclined to find means to augment family income because of the need to put food on the table. This natural inclination can be put to good use by providing more motivation to succeed especially with the help of other women who have access to their desired market. This certainly gives us something to smile about.