Jovelee Maala’s junkshop business is among the thousands of MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) that were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Just like many others, her once-thriving business in Payatas came into a sudden decline. Right at that moment, she knew that they had to find other ways to stay in business.
It was January of 2020 when Jovelee took the leap of faith, and ventured into the milk tea business. While other stores were closing down, she started opening FreeTea stores one after the other.
“FreeTea is a fruit of the pandemic. Many stores were closing that time, but as for me, I was opening stores non-stop,” she said.
A Seed of Faith
Jovelee knew the risks of starting up a business, much worse during a global pandemic. No one can tell what could happen next, and her husband unceasingly warned her about the uncertainties.
“I said, ‘No! Other stores will close but we will stay open. People would be looking for food for sure,” she recalled telling her husband.
And she was right. Seeing the success of her first store, she immediately began expanding, and opened up more FreeTea branches in other major cities like Marikina, Pasig, Cainta and Taguig – all in the face of back-to-back lockdowns. Jovelee was dauntless about her business attempts because she was holding on to God’s promises.
“I had faith. I trust the Lord because I told Him ‘Lord, You gave this to me so You will be the one to provide everything we need as well.’ I was not hesitant to add more businesses at that time because I believed that the Lord was the one who gave it to us,” she shared.
From a single store located in a rented space in Group 13, Payatas, Free Tea has a total of 43 branches in almost 10 cities as of writing, and its continuous growth seems to be unstoppable.
A Certain God in Uncertain Times
The size of her faith makes her journey sound easy, but Jovelee admitted that it was not the smoothest road. She can still remember opening her fifth branch on the exact same day that the lockdown was imposed in the area. But knowing that God was with her, she persevered even against occasional losses and setbacks, which she believes are a normal part of having a business.
She truly felt the hand of God guiding her through her entire journey. She shared that even though she had to close several stores due to unprofitability, God never failed to open up new ones for her. And as more and more store branches were opening, she was able to employ more workers and bless other people as well.
“I didn’t mind the expensive rent, instead, I focused on obtaining the location because I firmly believe that once I open a store there, it will boom,” she said.
God also worked wonders to support Jovee’s business by sending the right people.
“God gave me suppliers that I didn’t even know! They just came to me suddenly and this is how FreeTea is able to thrive until now,” she revealed.
The Sower of the Seed
Just when we thought that the story was over, Jovelee told us her biggest secret.
“You would also probably ask me how I am able to move forward. Where do I get all of these from? Why am I so knowledgeable? Well, I had a mentor. [Back in] 2007, under the first batch, Dick Angsanto was my mentor,” she shared referring to Dick Angsanto, one of CCT’s Corporate Partners who served as her business mentor for years.
“He showed us so much support. He regularly checked on me as well as my husband, and he monitored our business very well. He gave us counselling and taught us a lot not just about our business, but he supported my family as a whole. I thank the Lord so much for blessing us with people like him, still coming from CCT,” said Jovelee.
She also talked about how the training and seminars she received from CCT helped her tremendously.
“It was a big help because that’s where I learned certain business strategies. [They taught us] how to handle our business, how to engage with key people, how to pick the right location – I was able to use all of them. It was a huge help to have people checking on you. It gives us strength and encourages us to do well in our business and function in our ministry with joy,” she said.
Jovelee is more than grateful towards CCT and its staff because they were used by the Lord to reach her and transform her family’s life. Now, CCT is indeed a huge part of her life.
“I encountered the Lord through CCT. I would say that this is where I really started. They taught me and introduced me [to Him]. I want to thank Sister Weng for being used by the Lord so I could acknowledge my skills [and use them in ministry]. Before, I only knew about entrepreneurship and doing sales talk – I didn’t know that these skills can also be used in engaging with people. I learned how to disciple and I became really active [in church] because I really want this and I long for it a lot,” she expressed.
Our Takeaway
In the face of a giant — clouded with fear and uncertainties —it is often difficult to walk boldly with a clear vision in mind. However, the victories we have seen in Jovelee’s testimony show us that with the right faith, anchored in the Lord, what seems impossible is made possible even in the midst of a pandemic.
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