A Cup of Social Good: How Varacco Inc. and RTHSN-LAKAN Brewed Coffee and Served Impact at the SuiteLife 2023 Bazaar
Together with RTHSN-Lakan Community, Varacco Inc. participated in the SuiteLife 2023 Social Enterprise Bazaar, a three-day affair that highlighted various social enterprises that leverage business for social good. The event, which was held at Ayala North Exchange, Makati City, from November 16 to 18, 2023, was organized by Oracle NetSuite Philippines, a leading provider of cloud-based business management software. The bazaar also served as the capstone activity of the first phase of a project
with USAID and FHI360 Philippines, which aimed to develop the entrepreneurial capabilities of RTHSN-Lakan members.
Under the guidance of Varacco’s Head of Operations, Billy Lojo, the six-member RTHSN-Lakan team set up an inviting booth that produced a captivating aroma of barako coffee. They had a buy one, take one promotion that drew many customers. The team expanded their reach and served coffee to neighboring businesses within the building. They further demonstrated their flexibility and commitment to a community-driven initiative by opening their booth at 6 AM on the last day, catering to the graveyard shift employees. They sold 89 cups of coffee, 18 bags of coffee beans, and 14 packs of
tea during the event, and earned high praise from the customers, who loved the service, quality, and taste of their coffee.
Beyond sales and exposure, the bazaar marked a pivotal learning opportunity for RTHSN-Lakan. They acquired practical experience in running a coffee business, from establishing a brand and attracting customers to ensuring quality and managing customer interactions, which will be applied to their coffee initiative in Pampanga. Varacco Inc. was equally pleased with the event, observing how much RTHSN-Lakan has progressed and developed since the commencement of the project.
The activity was a catalyst for RTHSN-Lakan’s development, and Varacco Inc. will continue their assistance
in their next phase, unlocking more opportunities, strengthening their impact, and making a valuable and sustainable difference in the community.
Join Varacco and RTHSN-Lakan Community in their mission to empower People Living with HIV/AIDS through coffee. Get involved by following their social media accounts, donating to their cause, or volunteering with them. Let’s cheer for a cup of social good!
– JESSA CELINE CARABACA