Online school equips students with skills to start own businesses
Grace Parazo said that she had everything as a child until her senior year in high school when her father suddenly lost his job. It was a blow for the family, with Grace almost unable to attend college. Fortunately, her brother cared for her till she finished her course in computer engineering.
Immediately after graduation, Grace found a job and eventually became the breadwinner of the family.
She swore that what happened to her would never happen again.
As a mother, she felt the need to come up with a plan to secure her children’s future. She was well aware that her corporate job wouldn’t last forever, a hard lesson she learned through her father. Because of this, Grace looked for ways to earn and to earn more.
It dawned on her that food might be the most logical path, as she and her husband love to eat.
She took it upon herself to try something new. She started to bake, and by some stroke of luck, what she baked soon became favorites of her officemates.
Grace honed her skills further by attending workshops. She noticed that most of the attendees were either from the province or Filipinos returning from overseas. She also noted that many instructors traveled to Manila only to teach. The thought of finding a more convenient way to teach and learn came to mind.
From passion to profit
With that thought plus Grace’s background in IT, The Bailiwick Academy was conceived in January 2018, with a mission to empower moms and OFWs to turn their passion for cooking and baking into profit.
“I want them to become financially stable with the help of our online on-demand baking and cooking classes,” said Grace.
To date, the Bailiwick Academy has served 5,000 students the world over.
“It makes me proud to see our students now own cafes,” she said.
Many of the attendees of The Bailiwick Academy (thebailiwickacademy.com) are grateful for the service the online school provides. Through the academy, as some testimonials read, the students felt ready, equipped, and confident enough to start their own businesses.
Grace thanks Bailiwick for the comfort it brings to her family, but was quick to point out that it is not solely about the money but more so, the chance to make a difference, that brings her great satisfaction.
To date, the academy boasts over 200 baking and cooking classes available on their platform, with many of their courses geared toward entrepreneurship.
Their most popular classes are: Artisan Ensaymada, Special Celebration Cakes, Salted Caramel Cake, Philippines’ Regional Longganisa, and Dimsum 101.
They have expanded their offerings further by including lessons that aid their students through their entrepreneurial journey with lessons on branding 101, Mobile Food, Photography, Costing, and Excel Essentials.
Bailiwick provides business courses like Food Business Bootcamp, Catering 101, and From Home Baker to Business Owner, to name a few.
The academy is powered by some of the country’s renowned chefs, who lend their time and expertise to Bailiwick. They include Joey Prats, RV Manabat, Him Uy de Baron, and many more.
Grace takes pride in the affordability of their online classes. One can start a business for as low as P999, by learning how to make Chocolate Cookie Truffles.
Alumna’s recipe
The proof of the pudding is in the eating … this is why I had to see and taste a product made by an academy alumnus.
Ahlee Reyes bakes a most delightful Salted Caramel Cake. Ahlee’s rendition is reminiscent of the old-fashioned kind enrobed with a caramel frosting that’s tastier than the classic recipe. The cake itself was ultra soft and fluffy as clouds. It was decked with a bouquet of buttercream flowers. It was a delight at first bite.
Ahlee grew up at her parents’ bakery called Rosella’s in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. She saw her mother decorate wedding cakes while she growing up and was fascinated by her masterpieces.
After pursuing a degree in fine arts, Ahlee became a video editor and even joined Norwegian Cruise Lines as a broadcast technician for 10 years.
As life unfolded, she became a mother and eventually the primary caregiver of her father. She found the time to pursue an online course with the Bailiwick Academy. Her first class was chef Bam Soliman-Pienieceves’ Salted Caramel Cake. Ahlee hailed the class as life-changing!
With the help of Bailiwick, she has unleashed her innate gift to bake and decorate—surely something she inherited from her mother.
These days Ahlee is living her best life doing what she loves to do—turning her passion for baking into profit—just as Bailiwick plans for all its students.
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