Theirs was an early marriage. Mace was only 15 years old when she married Bernard Quiap of Baler, Aurora. To earn a living, both turned to ambulant vending—one sold fish, the other bread. Unprepared for marriage and the responsibilities associated with raising a family, their union was filled with hardships and trials.

Noting the determination of the young couple, Bernard’s father gave him an old ‘tistisan’ and a chance to start-up a business
that offers wood cutting services. In 2000, the business yielded a meager monthly net income of P3,000. With capital from AS KI
beginning in 2003, the couple added wooden furniture making among its services and saw their business grow to one that earns a
monthly income of P25,000 by 2007.

From Wooden Chips to Cabinets

The small income from woodcutting drove Bernard to diversify the business into furniture making. ASKI helped make this possible by providing continuing access to business capital-- the first loan of P5,000 was used to purchase wood to make furniture while two machines were acquired from the second loan. Now on their 6th loan, the couple continues to invest in the business, which now has 8 different kinds of machinery and a second-hand jeepney. It employs four regular workers and 15 project-based workers making a wide array of furniture from chairs, tables, sala sets, dining sets, cabinets, beds and custom-made doors, door frames and window frames, all made to please the discriminating taste of buyers.

From Trials to Triumphs

For this exemplary business team, Mace and Bernard were awarded the Outstanding Partnership of a Husband and Wife in
Business in the Citi Micro Entrepreneur of the Year (MOTY) for 2007, an awards program open to micro entrepreneurs nationwide. This special citation is the first to be given in the
five-year run of MOTY. A business founded on teamwork,
discipline, determination, and goodwill brought Mace and Bernard to success.