Teresita “Thess” Cordoba, owner of HRTC Food Ventures’ entrepreneurial journey began with selling beauty products through direct selling and running a fruit and vegetable stand in her barangay using a tri-bike as her rolling store. Despite her hard work, these ventures didn’t prosper as she allowed buyers to purchase on credit, leading to financial difficulties. Eventually, her family had to shut down their piggery business due to a lack of capital.
Undeterred by these setbacks, Thess sought guidance from a neighbor who was into peanut butter manufacturing. Through perseverance and experimentation, she developed her own peanut butter recipe. Thus Started HRTC Peanut Butter.
Hailing from Canarem, Victoria, Tarlac, Thess had only completed high school and was married to Henry Cordova, a native of Moncada, Tarlac. They were blessed with four children.
In 2016, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Tarlac invited Thess to join the pilot mentees for the Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) program. Initially hesitant due to the time commitment, she eventually embraced the opportunity when she realized that many of Tarlac’s local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) would be participating.
Apart from business growth, Thess personally aimed to build self-confidence, as she had previously lacked faith in herself. One significant challenge was learning how to present herself to others effectively.
The KMME program proved to be transformative for Thess. It provided her with valuable knowledge that deepened her understanding of her business and its future direction. Among the most crucial lessons were Proper Food Handling, Managing People, and Proper Time Management, including Time and Motion Recording and Monitoring. The program instilled in her the resolve to never give up.
With newfound knowledge and motivation, Thess expanded her peanut butter business into new markets. She approached local supermarkets in Tarlac, and to her delight, the prominent grocery chain RCS Stores accepted her products. RCS Stores have branches in Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan, opening doors to wider distribution.
HRTC Food Ventures, primarily focused on peanut butter, diversified its offerings to include banana chips, yema spread, and more. Thess’s determination and the support from the KMME program had enabled her to turn her struggles into a thriving business.
Today, Teresita “Thess” Cordoba’s story stands as a testament to the power of resilience and continuous learning. From facing financial hardships to becoming a successful entrepreneur, her journey is an inspiration to aspiring business owners everywhere. With unwavering dedication and a hunger for knowledge, Thess has proven that one can overcome challenges and achieve great success.
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