Initially held in the vicinity of partner neighborhood variety stores, the Kabisig Summit has transitioned to a hybrid format, combining in-person and online training sessions.
This flexible approach ensures that more sari-sari store operators, regardless of their location or schedule, can access valuable training and business support.
With more than a million sari-sari stores nationwide, these efforts are vital in empowering small business owners to thrive in the modern economy.
Unilever Philippines chairman and CEO Fredy Ong, who has personal ties to small businesses, emphasizes the importance of adapting the program to store owners' needs.
"We understand the challenges sari-sari store owners face in balancing business and family responsibilities. By offering hybrid training sessions, we ensure that they can grow their businesses without sacrificing their other commitments," Ong said in a statement.
The hybrid model has made it easier for more store operators, particularly women, to participate.
Since the Kabisig Summit’s launch in 2016, the program has reached hundreds of thousands of lives, positively impacting sari-sari store owners, their families and communities.
A 2021 commissioned study revealed that 91 percent of Kabisig Summit attendees were women, many of whom run their businesses from home while managing household duties.
Of the attendees surveyed, 76 percent reported increased earnings and savings and 79 percent reported business growth, turning around the story of how sari-sari stores barely grow and are vulnerable to closures.
Key to the success of the Kabisig program, according to Unilever Philippines, is its accessibility and the peer-to-peer mentorship built from a community that cares about the growth of its members.
By adopting a hybrid format, the program allows these entrepreneurs to attend virtual sessions without leaving their homes, making it even more accessible.
