Josefina’s home-cooked food uses the TikTok store to support SME success

The rise of e-commerce has ushered in a new era for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) around the world, offering unprecedented opportunities for growth and expansion. Among these success stories is Josefina’s Homemade Food, a humble one carinderia in Bicol, which has now become a nationwide sensation thanks to its delicious deals and strategic use of social media, especially TikTok.

Josefina’s home-cooked food, known for its bottling ginataang products, has seen remarkable sales growth since joining TikTok Shop in 2023. Abbie Ricohermoso, the company’s owner, recalls a significant shift in sales trajectory after joining the platform. “TikTok Store has changed the game. What started as a small local business now reaches customers across the country, all thanks to TikTok.” Ricohermoso shared.

Using the TikTok store to grow your business

TikTok Store, with its innovative features like live selling, has become a game changer for SMEs like Josefina’s Homemade Food. Ricohermoso confirms the platform’s effectiveness in engaging customers directly and authentically. “Through live streaming and content creation, we have been able to connect with our customers in an authentic way. “TikTok allows us to share our story and our process, which really resonates with people,” she explained.

The success of Josefina’s Homemade Food on TikTok highlights both its popular products and the commitment of its founders. The company began as a small carinderia in Bicol, owned by Josefina Barcela, who focused on perfecting traditional recipes that became the cornerstone of the family business.

Over the years, Barcela’s recipes gained in popularity, which led to the expansion of the offering to include bottled, ready-to-drink versions of Bicolano specialties such as laing, ginataang santolAND Bicol Express. Despite humble beginnings, the family’s commitment to quality and authenticity has earned them national recognition.

The future expansion and role of the TikTok store

From humble beginnings, the company has grown to employ ten people, with Barcela and her husband actively involved in the day-to-day operations. The TikTok Store has enabled the company to expand its reach and provide more jobs, reflecting its role in the development of the local community.

@josefinaslaing Our story… This is the story of our dream, our hope and our small success. This is our family’s humble business. Thank you Pixelens for capturing this authentic video. Thank you to Tiktok Store for selecting our story. #josefinashomemadefood #josefinaslaing #smallbusiness #bicollaing #laing #readytoeat ♬ original sound – Josefina’s Homemade Food

The success of Josefina’s Homemade Food reflects a broader trend seen on the TikTok store, where over 2 million sellers, mostly SMEs, have found a platform to showcase their products. Jonah Ople, fashion category leader for TikTok Shop, highlights the platform’s role in amplifying local Filipino goods and simplifying the process for small sellers to prove their presence.

According to Ople, “More than 2 million local businesses, the majority of which are SMEs, use TikTok Shop. Because TikTok Shop is able to connect businesses of all sizes with consumers and the broader TikTok community, we are significantly enabling these SMEs to create a holistic and seamless e-commerce experience and make real connections with new audiences, enabling them to reach a broader market.”

While major brands also use TikTok, the platform remains particularly beneficial for SMEs looking to connect with a wider audience and achieve growth.

Looking to the future, Josefina’s Homemade Food plans to expand internationally. The company is working to establish a larger facility and obtain regulatory approvals for global shipping. With TikTok Shop being a key platform, Josefina Homemade Food’s goal is to continue reaching new customers and maintaining its commitment to quality.

ADVT.

This article is brought to you by TikTok Store