Female Architect Shares Business Success “Ay si architect naging tindera na lang”
A female architect shared her story of how she became a successful entrepreneur despite all the challenges she went through.
Recently, Megan Oringo, a Facebook user, young architect from Albay, shared her inspiring story of how she became a successful entrepreneur. The post garnered various reactions from the online community.
During the height of the pandemic in 2020, the young architect from Albay, began selling plants online. With only P3,500 in capital, she started a small business, earning just P150 a day, but she didn’t stop.
“’Yung P150 pesos na sales masaya na ako noon. Habang tumatagal di ako nag-give up and paunti-unti nakikilala ng mga Bicolano ang Pananom Co, and then next nakikilagay lang ako noon sa bazaar sa isang sulok lang para mabenta noon ’yung isang tray ng items ko, habang nakaipon na ako. Nakikipaghati pa ako nun sa napakaliit na two meters na pwesto dahil P3,500 lang pera ko as puhunan,” Oringo said.
Even with a limited budget, she joined bazaars and shared tiny stalls with other sellers, determined to keep her dream alive. Over time, her brand Pananom Co slowly gained recognition in the Bicol region.
The name Pananom Co was inspired by the Bicol word for “my plants.” At first, Megan sold live plants, but after lockdowns eased and plant sales dropped, she shifted to dried flower arrangements, which sparked curiosity among buyers, and soon people were lining up for her custom floral designs.
Megan managed everything by herself, from manning the stall to creating arrangements. At one point, people even mocked her for “just being a vendor,” despite being a licensed architect. But the lady architect didn’t let the criticism stop her. She continued working through sleepless nights and slow sales, always pushing forward.
“Ako lang din ang bantay noon at naranasan ko rin na po na pinag-uusapan noon na, “Ay si architect naging tindera na lang” but I didn’t give up,” she added.
Her hard work paid off. In 2022, she opened her first store in SM Legazpi. By early 2025, she had expanded to Metro Manila, launching a shop in Makati City.
In a similar story, a business owner shares tips before entering entrepreneurship: “dapat handa ka ma stress”
The internet users expressed their reactions to her story:
