Abbylyn Bags & Shoes

Philippines

Country

The project

Lyns family originally made only shoes for their customers but demand for bags matching the shoes continually grew opening up new possibilities for their business to expand. At age 54 and a mother of 2, Lyn now manages the bags and shoe business handling orders from known retail shops such as SM Kultura. Her husband also has a printing business on his own and her daughter does part time bag design work for her as well.

The bags that they create are uniquely made from Tinalak a local,native material that embodies the Filipino artistic culture. It is a hand woven material made by T'boli tribes of Lake Sebu in Cotabato. The bags are also enhanced with bead works of which Lyn plans to subcontract from the wives of tricycle drivers in her community to provide them livelihood. Currently, the 24 year old company employs 10 personnel of which 5 are women.

Supporting an annual gross sales of P1,300,000, Lyn dreams for the business to grow and to have a bigger impact in the community in terms of employment. NPFC granted her a loan amounting to P300,000 payable in 24 months so that she can be one step closer in realizing her dream of expanding the business.