During my usual weekend market walks, I would notice different types of people buying one or two caramel apples from this food stall. They didn’t eat the apple in the premises but would take it home.
I found the variety of customers interesting—from expats and locals to young ones and mothers—and the two young ladies manning the booth are always all smiles and articulate in explaining their product.
So, one Sunday, I approached them to ask about their product and business model.
Thea Arvisu and Krystle Dizon met seven years ago despite their hectic Manila lives.
Krystle grew up in California where caramel apples are a big deal. She associates them with her childhood. When her family settled in the Philippines, no one was selling caramel apples in Manila, so she thought of making them herself. She believed it was a great product and something different, and she wanted to share it.
She tested the product at a baby shower and received very positive feedback, which gave her the idea to start a business. She tossed the idea to Thea and from there, they became the Witches-in-Charge of The Bad Apple.
The caramel macchiato apple, layered with gooey caramel and rich mocha, a recent flavor of the moment at The Bad Apple via Facebook.com/thebadapple.ph
It took them three months to develop and perfect the product. Their initial goal was to have the product out for Halloween, but they suffered setbacks so timeline was pushed back. The business started in December 2013.
Brainstorming took a while. They had to come up with recipes and different flavors, had to give their “baby” a name, and decide where to distribute.
They didn’t approach a bank but used their own hard-earned money.
Business started off well and it took care of itself after the launch. They now follow a budget and stick to it closely.
Business solely belongs to the two friends. No third party is involved. It is a two-person team—they brainstorm, cook, market and sell the products personally.
As of now there is no need for additional manpower. They remain hands-on with every aspect of the business.
They want to build The Bad Apple as a brand and the best way now is to focus on one product. They like it to keep it simple—one product with a variety of flavors.
There are now seven flavors available, and they feature two more new flavors every month. All are caramel-based.
One caramel apple can cost PHP120 (original flavor) to PHP160 (flavor of the month). Catch them at the weekend markets in Salcedo Village (Saturdays) and Legazpi Village (Sundays).
The Bad Apple also accepts delivery and pick-up orders of 12 pieces or more within the Metro Manila area, and orders for parties and events.
Only 27 years old, it was Krystle’s idea of going into business. She had vocational training and worked as a marketing manager with an aesthetics company and a brand liaise with a retail chain. She recently launched a mommy blog.
Thea is 31 years old and never worked for a corporation nor does she plan to. She attended a local private school in Laguna for lower school and completed high school at Brent Baguio and International School Manila. She started to work right after high school. She works also as a DJ, playing music for a living since 2001. She absolutely loves her two jobs.
It is obvious that both Krystle and Thea like what they do. Do pay these two young ladies a visit in the weekend markets. There is just too much energy and enthusiasm in them.
MORE MARKET WATCH PROFILES:
– Frango’s Portugese-style chicken
– The Bad Apple’s caramel apples
– Stanford x Shaw’s ginger ale
– Canley’s chili con carne
GETTING HUNGRY? WAIT TILL YOU WATCH OUR FOOD VIDEOS:
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Episode 5: Wagyu and lemongrass kebab at Maharajas Kababs
Episode 6: Latin-style roasted chicken at Señor Pollo
Episode 7: Spaghetti verena and penne salsiccia at My Kitchen by Chef Chris
Episode 8: Chef Tatung’s Sinanglay na Bangus Belly
