Building Success, One Souvenir at a Time

In Cebu, known as the Queen City of the South, Ma. Merlyn Dumlao’s souvenir shop has become a destination for both local and foreign tourists. Her shop not only offers unique and memorable items but also adds a special touch to visitors’ experiences, allowing them to take home a piece of Cebu.

For over a decade, Merlyn and her husband have run their souvenir shop with one goal in mind: to provide a better life for their family and support their children through college. Today, the shop stands as their primary source of income, helping them achieve these dreams.

Merlyn’s business journey began with a humble setup. She started by selling souvenir items like T-shirts, mugs, ref magnets, and keychains from a small expandable table set up at home.  Through perseverance, passion, and faith in God, Merlyn gradually grew the business. Starting as a small reseller, they eventually expanded to offer their personalized printed T-shirts and other customized souvenir items.

As the business expanded, so did their need for capital. That is when Merlyn became a client of CARD MRI Rizal Bank, Inc., a microfinance-oriented rural bank of CARD MRI. Her initial loan was PHP 5,000, which gradually increased to PHP 500,000. She used these funds to expand the business, support her children’s education, and meet her family’s needs.

Grateful for the support she received from CARD RBI, Merlyn made it a point to share the benefits with others. She encouraged relatives and friends to become CARD RBI clients, emphasizing the positive impact it had on her life. “As a client, I value the trust that CARD RBI has given me. I always ensure 100% repayment and strive to maintain excellent performance,” she shared.

Throughout her journey as a client and business owner, Merlyn has faced numerous challenges, including a lack of business capital, tight competition, and family problems. However, she overcame them all with her faith in God and an unwavering desire and passion for achieving success.

Today, their souvenir shop has become a well-known business in her community. Merlyn has built strong relationships with her suppliers and gained loyal customers who promote, introduce, and recommend her shop to most tourists. Beyond the souvenir shop, Merlyn and her family have also upgraded their sari-sari store into an air-conditioned convenience store, offering a wider range of products to their customers.

Their hard work has paid off. Merlyn’s eldest child is now a seaman with a stable job, while her two younger children continue their studies. Compared to the early days of their business, her family now enjoys a more comfortable and prosperous life.

“To other entrepreneurs, venturing into business is not easy. Don’t forget to pray to God and lift everything to Him, for He knows what’s right and best for us. Remember, with faith, we will never go wrong, and nothing can stop us from achieving our goals in life,” she concluded.