Meet Gerhard Lola, a lechon business owner who initially lacked cooking skills but now earns six figures.
GERHARD LOLA – A Mandaluyong business owner who initially lacked cooking skills is now earning six figures thanks to his lechon business that started during the pandemic.
At 37, Gerhard confessed he had no cooking background and shared his belief that even without expertise, gradual efforts can lead to success. During the pandemic, he and his family stayed at his mother-in-law’s house, an opportunity he saw as a blessing. Without prior lechon-making experience, he decided to learn cooking to fill his time and contribute while life was slower.
Enthusiastic about cooking, Gerhard sought guidance from a friend to create a DIY smoke barrel, learning from a lechon maker in Bulacan. It was in May 2020 when Gerhard began crafting his own bellychon, sharing it with family and friends to assess its quality. He found the key wasn’t unique ingredients but his cooking process.
Gerhard saw swift returns as people paid him to shop for ingredients and cook with his P5,000 investment. He wasn’t initially aiming for a business as he simply sought employment during uncertain times.
After perfecting his recipe in two to three months, he received orders for Father’s Day in June 2020. In December 2020, he opened a physical store in Mandaluyong in time for the holidays.
Despite challenges like burnt batches and time management struggles, Gerhard persisted with support from his family. He emphasized patience and hard work when initiating a business. Gerhard’s advice to new entrepreneurs is to find their passion and persist through the challenges, given the inevitable ups and downs in business.
According to the Philippine Star, he’s now earning as much as six figures with his lechon business.
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