Zerah Capili works as a Creative Coordinator for Hope for the Heart and Soul Foundation, a NGO-based company that introduces children, especially the underprivileged, to arts and crafts. She also handles her own business called “Sapinsapin Tanzan”. Her products are mostly handmade and feature different quirky knick-knacks. She sells her products at different handmade stores in the Philippines.
Entrepreneur Interview Q & A
1. What is the name of your business? What does your business do?
The name of our business is Sapinsapin Tanzan. Our business creates different handmade products that are locally made from the Philippines. We also try to create products from reused materials, especially from things that most of us think that are with no use like trash.
2. Why did you get into this field? What opportunities did you see?
When I became involved as a volunteer teacher in WWF (World Wildlife Fund for Nature) , I made sure that I can still contribute to lessen our trash by using reused materials and upcycling them as part of our process in creating our products. We didn’t realized that it will become our sort of “business”at first because I only created products for my family and friends back then. Now the opportunities are slowly opening for us because when other people saw our products they are quite amazed and they suddenly realized that this trash will still be of use for the second time around.
3. What have been your biggest challenges?
Making new products, because you will observe the products first and you still don’t know if your followers and customers will like it. Making designs is also quite a challenge, especially when creative block hits me big time, because most of our designs are hand-painted individually and each design is unique.
4. What has been your greatest reward?
Our greatest reward is when a friend of ours offered their store so we can showcase our products there. Our products are doing great in the shop and we already have 3 stores to consign our products.
5. If you could change something, what would it be?
I think the way I create my products, especially when I cram.
6. What advice would you give to a new entrepreneur?
I think you should never stop creating and experimenting with different things. There will come a time that you will fail but don’t be afraid because its also a part of the process that will definitely hone your craft, skills, and your product as well.
7. Social Media. Yay or Nay?
Yay, because it is an amazing platform to showcase your products aside from participating in art fairs and bazaars.
8. How do you market your products or services?
I market online, especially Instagram and Facebook, and in our consigned stores and by joining fairs.
9. If your business sells products, how do you handle production?
We make it a point to make our products as early as possible especially here in the Philippines. When “ber” months (starting September to early December) are approaching those are the months that we are quite busy in our production. Its quite hard but on those said months especially we only have 3 persons as of now.
10. What is unique about your business?
It is purely handmade and we make it a point to introduce upcycled products to our customers.
11. Sell me your product/service.
Our products are made handmade locally and made from reused materials and upcycling them to give them a new and enhanced look. Each one of our products are unique in its own way. We also make sure to give 101% in every product that we create because it’s not only handmade its also made from our hearts.
12. How can people get in touch with you? What’s your website url and contact information?
We have our Facebook and Instagram account here:
Facebook: @sapinsapintanzan
Instagram: @sapinsapintanzan
