For many small business owners, growth does not necessarily begin with a large investment. It can start with enough working capital to replenish inventory, keep essential services running or respond to what customers are already asking for.
That has been the experience of Ma. Christine Vito, Mohammad Hadji Mahmod, and Von Bindolo, three Filipino entrepreneurs whose businesses have grown alongside their use of Maya Business.
Each started with a relatively small Maya Advance loan: ₱10,000 for Christine, ₱1,000 for Mohammad, and ₱20,000 for Von. They used the funds for practical business needs, including inventory, mobile load and day-to-day operations.
As they continued transacting through Maya Business and managing their loans, they became eligible for additional working capital. Over time, their cumulative Maya Advance loan utilization reached more than ₱3 million for Christine, ₱2.2 million for Mohammad, and ₱2.6 million for Von.
Their stories illustrate a familiar reality for micro and small enterprises: sometimes, the ability to access working capital when it is needed can make a difference in keeping a business moving and creating room for the next stage of growth.
Christine Vito: Building a Bigger Business From a Sari-Sari Store
Christine Vito did not initially set out to become an entrepreneur.
After an internship at a shipping company gave her experience in selling dry goods, she became interested in running a business. Christine and her family first opened a small store in Boracay Island before relocating to Sebaste, Antique, when the property where their store stood was sold.
They started again with a sari-sari store.
During the pandemic, the business remained open to serve the local community. Demand for services such as mobile load, bills payment, and cash-in and cash-out eventually became an important part of the store's operations.
As customer demand increased, Christine also needed more inventory.
Her first Maya Advance offer was ₱10,000. Although she was initially hesitant about taking out a loan, she decided to use the funds to purchase additional products for the store.
“Noong una, natakot akong kumuha ng loan, pero dahil sa Maya Business, nagkaroon kami ng puhunan para tuloy-tuloy na mapalago ang negosyo namin.”
Since that initial loan, Christine has utilized more than ₱3 million in Maya Advance loans over time.
Her sari-sari store has since expanded into a mini grocery, supported by a kitchen and mini warehouse. The family has also invested in a vehicle for the business.
For Christine, growth came through a series of practical investments rather than one major expansion.
Mohammad Hadji Mahmod: Starting With Just ₱1,000
Mohammad Hadji Mahmod's first Maya Advance loan was considerably smaller.
After working as an overseas Filipino worker, Mohammad returned to the Philippines to help with his family's business in Boracay Island. He became a Maya Business user in 2023, offering customers mobile load, bills payment, and cash-in and cash-out services.
When his first Maya Advance offer came, it was for ₱1,000.
Rather than waiting for access to a larger amount, Mohammad used the available capital for his load business. The additional funds helped him maintain operations while gradually building his working capital.
As he continued using Maya Business and managing his loans, he gained access to additional capital. He has since utilized more than ₱2.2 million in Maya Advance loans over time.
The additional working capital has supported daily operations, expanded product offerings and allowed Mohammad to explore other business opportunities.
“Hangga't may Maya Business, mas kampante akong patuloy na palaguin ang negosyo ng pamilya namin.”
His experience reflects a simple principle for many small businesses: capital does not have to start large to be useful. What matters is how it is deployed and whether it supports a clear business need.
Von Bindolo: From Side Income to Growing the Family Business
For Von Bindolo, Maya Business became part of her entrepreneurial journey even before she took over her family's sari-sari store.
While working in Manila, she discovered Maya Business through Facebook and began selling mobile load to earn additional income through commissions.
When she eventually returned to Boracay to take over the family store from her mother, Maya Business became another way for her to serve customers.
The pandemic presented a particularly difficult period for the business as tourism in Boracay came to a standstill. Von continued providing mobile load, bills payment, and cash-in and cash-out services to people in the community.
Her first Maya Advance loan was ₱20,000, which she used as additional working capital for the business.
“Malaking bagay kahit maliit lang ang puhunan, lalo na kapag ginagamit mo para madagdagan ang paninda at mapagsilbihan nang mas maayos ang mga suki. Unti-unti, nakita ko rin na kaya palang lumago ang negosyo namin.”
Since then, Von has utilized more than ₱2.6 million in Maya Advance loans over time.
The additional capital has supported business growth, including the purchase of an e-bike for daily operations. Her business has also helped support her child's education.
What began as a family sari-sari store continues to serve as both a source of livelihood and a business that provides services to its surrounding community.
What These Stories Say About Small Business Financing
Christine, Mohammad and Von operate different businesses and started with different amounts of capital. Their experiences, however, share a common thread: working capital was directed toward immediate, identifiable business needs.
For a small enterprise, that can mean buying additional inventory before stocks run out, maintaining a service that customers rely on, or investing in equipment that makes daily operations easier.
Digital platforms can also bring several business functions together. Through Maya Business, entrepreneurs can accept QR Ph payments and offer services such as mobile load, bills payment, and cash-in and cash-out.
Eligible users can also access working capital through Maya Advance.
The broader lesson is relevant to the country's micro and small business sector. Access to capital is only one part of business growth, but having funds available for productive, timely use can help entrepreneurs respond to customer demand and reinvest in their operations.
Growth Does Not Always Start With a Big Loan
The stories of Christine, Mohammad and Von show that entrepreneurship can develop incrementally.
One entrepreneur started with ₱10,000. Another began with ₱1,000. A third started with ₱20,000. Over time, each used additional capital as their business needs evolved.
Their journeys also highlight an important distinction between starting capital and growth capital. A small amount can help address an immediate need, while continued access to financing may become relevant as a business takes on more customers, inventory, services or operating requirements.
For Filipino entrepreneurs, the next step in growing a negosyo may not always require starting over with a major investment.
Sometimes, it starts with understanding what the business needs today, putting available capital to productive use, and building from there.