Helping MSMEs achieve big dreams

The commitment to helping micro, small, and medium enterprises is a culture every business unit embodies across the ecosystem of SM Investments Corporation. As SM celebrates its 65th year, its unwavering commitment to supporting this sector remains at the heart of its operations.

This dedication to supporting MSMEs is rooted in SM's history, initiated by its founder, Henry Sy Sr., who began as a small enterprise with ShoeMart in 1958. In its commitment to serving Filipino communities, SM upholds this legacy as it celebrates 65 years in the industry, highlighting its journey with local businesses by holding the SM Supermalls' Tenant-Partners Summit.

"MSMEs are often regarded as the backbone of the economy," said SM Supermalls president Steven Tan. "To us, our MSME partners are the heartbeat of our malls. We are honored to be their partners and always strive to serve them better in our shared path to modernizing the retail landscape."

One of SM's many partners is Diannel Go. Her love for weaving led to BinibiniCo, a modern take on traditional Filipino handicrafts.

Her brand became one of the partners of the SM StartUp Market, one of the MSME support programs of SM that offers to help online businesses set up shops at SM malls.

In SM's StartUp Market, budding businesses are assisted in opening their first physical stores at select SM mall branches. The package comes with start-up-friendly rates and free use of kiosks or carts.

"Actually, before, online lang kami," she said. "Nagkaroon kami ng chance ma-ishowcase yung mga products namin like yung bayong sa mall setting dahil sa SM."

(Actually, we only had a presence online back then. We were able to have the chance to showcase our products, like the bayong, in the mall setting because of SM.)

A passion that started with seven bayongs (Filipino bags made of woven leaves) that she sold to her neighbors is now at SM City Santa Rosa, proudly representing Laguna with the motto, "Gawang Pinay para sa Pinoy. (Made by Filipina for Filipinos)

SM's support to MSMEs

In addition to support programs, SM also helps in backing community-based businesses through partnerships with Kultura, an affiliate of the SM Group through its retailing arm, SM Retail Inc.

Ma. Evelina "Beng" Atienza, co-founder of the Kababaihan ng Maynila Foundation Inc., shared how SM has helped their group of women entrepreneurs realize their talents in creating their products that are close to every Filipinos' heart — the Christmas parol, distributed at different branches of Kultura.

Not only do they liven the festive season, but these parols are sustainable since they are designed to be foldable and washable, which can be easily used every year, all conceptualized by the women creating the parols.