A family that does business together stays together. This rings true for Evelyn Co, the founder of two restaurants, House of Mantou Restaurant and Yenyen Kitchen Wonders, and a doting mother of two children that have joined and continue to work in the business with her.
“Nine years ago, we started our Asian fusion restaurant in Quezon City,” Co shared. “Our son Hervyn [was] our first photo ads on resto billboard and because he is a food lover and also a traveler, this experience makes him an epicure. His taste in food is very efficient, and he approved our products in store together with my daughter Helaena. They help out finalize and approve before putting the food on our menu. Our family also loves to cook, especially my father when he was alive.”
Co felt fulfilled when she extended and shared the opportunity to manage the business with her two children. And luckily, her kids enthusiastically agreed and eventually had a wonderful time bonding with their mother and being productive as they grew professionally every day.
Despite the pandemic and the setbacks it has brought them, both of the businesses of the Co family thrived and flourished, and according to Co, all it took was constant productivity, resourcefulness, contributing ideas, and working and learning as a family.
Parents who are also entrepreneurs on the side can excel in both aspects of their lives, and it’s even more fulfilling to share that with their children. Co shares some tips for these “parentrepreneurs” that aim to be inspirational role models in their children’s lives: