How carinderia owners became millionaire caterers

MANILA - This couple started off with selling cooking oil and putting up a 'carinderia' before becoming one of the most sought after caterers in Manila.

On ABS-CBN's "My Puhunan," Boyet and Jet Verzosa shared that they started small before Josiah's Catering grew as big as it is now.

"Ang nasa mind lang namin noon, pinagdadasal lang namin, ma-survive namin yung mga anak namin [at] mapag-aral namin sila," Jet said.

After having their youngest child, Boyet had to resort to selling cooking oil in the streets to earn for the family.

"Nag-sara ang kumpanya noong napanganak ang bunso," Boyet said. "May suki ako na parang kinukunan ng mantika...medyo nahihiya ako pero ang feeling ko kasi noon, fulfilment pa rin sakin,"

At that time, Jet decided to open a 'carinderia' to help out with expenses. With only a capital of P500, the couple saw potential of a business through Jet's cooking.

From their rented place at UP Diliman, they moved the business to their garage.

Their first client was a close friend, who had a baptismal celebration for his child.

"Sabi nila na ang una mo raw na magiging kliyente yung pamilya mo o kaibigan mo," Jet narrated. "So nagpa-cater sila sa amin, binyag nila."

The business' big break was when they first catered for a wedding celebration.

With Boyet helping out with the set-up and Jet with the food, the couple's prayers were answered.

"Nangangapa nga kami sa birthday lang, wedding na yung kasunod." Boyet recalled. "So sabi namin, Lord baka ito na yung break mo. Career-in natin."

Today, the Verzosas continue to run Josiah's Catering together with their children.

Jet said that for aspiring entrepreneurs, trust in God and putting one's talents to good use are the key to being successful in one's business.

"Kung ano yung binigay sa iyo ng Diyos na talento, gamitin mo iyon sa tama," she said.

"Siguro kasi kahit wala tayong pera, hindi naman nagiging sagabal ang pera para magsimula ng anything."