What does it really take to build a business that lasts for decades? In this episode of Good and Green, Chit Juan sits down with franchising pioneer Armando “Butz” Bartolome to unpack how entrepreneurship has evolved and why values, credibility, and responsibility matter more than ever. Drawing from over 35 years of mentoring Filipino entrepreneurs, Butz shares insights on balancing speed with caution, using technology wisely, and building businesses that serve both people and communities. This conversation is a grounded reminder that growth means little without purpose.

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Armando Bartolome is an entrepreneur, franchise consultant, and mentor with over 35 years of experience helping Filipino MSMEs grow through responsible franchising. As President of GMB Franchise Developers Inc., he has guided over 800 entrepreneurs across food, retail, and service industries.

He is a founding member of the Philippine Franchise Association and the Association of Filipino Franchisers, and a Go Negosyo mentor for over 20 years. His co-authored book Is Franchising for You? was named Book of the Year in 2012, and he was granted a special E11 visa by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in recognition of his expertise in franchising and business development.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• How today’s entrepreneurs differ from those of previous generations.
• Why speed and opportunity need to be balanced with discipline and numbers.
• The role of credibility and sincerity in long-term business success.
• How franchising and business models have evolved with technology.
• Why values, sustainability, and community impact are shaping modern entrepreneurship.
• What it means to build a legacy through mentoring and shared responsibility.

QUOTES:

• There is wisdom in the old way, and there is also wisdom in grabbing opportunities quickly because of the fast pace of business today. —Chit Juan
• You cannot say one platform will suit everyone. —Butz Bartolome
• I always input my legacy in our clients. We don't want them to be dependent on us. —Butz Bartolome
• There's no secret in this business. It's a matter of mindset. —Butz Bartolome
• The award will only come when people remember you. —Butz Bartolome

LINKS or RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Connect with Butz Bartolome:

• Butz Bartolome's Website - http://www.butzbartolome.com
• GMB Franchise Developers - http://www.gmb.ph/
• Butz Bartolome on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/franguru/
• Butz Bartolome on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/butzbartolome
• Business Mentor Talks Podcast - https://bit.ly/3ZeEAn0

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

• Subscribe to the Good and Green Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• Follow Chit Juan on Instagram and Facebook, and LinkedIn
• Subscribe to EchoNews on LinkedIn.

Purchase Brew: Cafe, Coffee. Kape at Echostore.ph.

For more information about Brew: Cafe, Coffee, Kape, visit the Food Writers Association of the Philippine Facebook Group.

What started as a simple search for a healthier chocolate drink for her children became something much bigger. In this episode, Chit Juan sits down with chemist and entrepreneur Melanie “Mel” Medrano, founder of Cacaomistry, to talk about how science, motherhood, and sustainability came together to create a Filipino origin based cacao brand rooted in clean ingredients, local sourcing, and social impact.

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Melanie Medrano is a chemist, entrepreneur, and chocolate maker, and the founder of Gramworth Enterprises Inc., a family-owned social enterprise behind PhOligo and Cacaomistry — the Philippines' first origin-based instant cacao mix.

Rooted in science, heritage, and sustainability, Melanie creates clean, thoughtfully made products using local ingredients, while working closely with farmers, artisans, and communities. Her work bridges food innovation and social impact, proving that businesses can grow profitably while caring for people and planet.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why reading ingredient labels is a powerful act of conscious consumption.
• How motherhood and science shaped the creation of Cacao Mystery.
• The difference between chocolate flavored products and real chocolate.
• Building a plant based food business rooted in local ingredients and Filipino cacao.
• Staying calm and creative during supply chain and pricing challenges.

QUOTES:

• Your kids are your best critics. —Chit Juan
• It can be healthy but it's useless when your child doesn't like it, so it has to be both. —Mel Medrano
• My greatest challenge was when the cacao price tripled. —Mel Medrano
• Entrepreneurship is a little like chemistry. —Chit Juan
• Make it a habit to read ingredients. —Mel Medrano

LINKS or RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Connect with Mel Medrano:

• Cacaomistry Website - https://www.gramworthph.com
• Cacaomistry on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Cacaomistry/
• Cacaomistry on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cacaomistry/

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

• Subscribe to the Good and Green Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• Follow Chit Juan on Instagram and Facebook, and LinkedIn
• Subscribe to EchoNews on LinkedIn.

Purchase Brew: Cafe, Coffee. Kape at Echostore.ph.

For more information about Brew: Cafe, Coffee, Kape, visit the Food Writers Association of the Philippine Facebook Group.

Chit Juan sits down with the co-founders of ARTFARM Sustainable Solutions to explore how a small family-run farm in Bay, Laguna evolved into a certified organic and Slow Food-recognized enterprise. From surviving a natural disaster to building a regenerative, technology-enabled, and community-driven farming model, this conversation offers insight into resilience, innovation, and how sustainable farming can create both livelihood and impact.

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ARTFARM was co-founded in 2011 by Turo Tolentino and Andrea Alforte as a small-scale farming venture that evolved from hydroponics into a certified organic, regenerative agriculture enterprise specializing in high-value salad crops. Turo is an agriculture professional trained in horticulture and regenerative composting, with extensive experience supporting farmers through agribusiness entrepreneurship and organic certification work. Andrea brings a background in human ecology, social enterprise, and sustainability education, leading ARTFARM’s value-added processing, community engagement, and training programs. Together, they run ARTFARM Sustainable Solutions, a circular, zero-waste farm model recognized as a Slow Food Farm and a Top 10 Social Enterprise in the BPI Sinag Challenge.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• How ARTFARM transitioned from hydroponics to soil-based organic and regenerative farming.
• Why small-scale farms can be productive, resilient, and financially viable.
• The role of family, diversification, and technology in sustaining a farm business.
• How composting, soil health, and minimal tillage support long-term productivity.
• Sharing knowledge through training, consultancy, and community-based farming models.

QUOTES:

• We have always been looking for solutions that will be more sustainable over the longer term. —Andrea Alforte
• The key is to diversify your production, the products that you are offering. —Andrea Alforte
• Since our land is limited, our consulting service is our way of expanding our production area. —Turo Tolentino
• Just make the first step. Take a small plot. Plant something. —Turo Tolentino
• Anything good and anything green that you can do, you can do it at home. You teach it to your kids. —Andrea Alforte

LINKS or RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Connect with ARTFARM:

• ARTFARM Sustainable Solutions on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/artfarmph
• ARTFARM on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/artfarm.ph/

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

• Subscribe to the Good and Green Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
• Follow Chit Juan on Instagram and Facebook, and LinkedIn
• Subscribe to EchoNews on LinkedIn.

Purchase Brew: Cafe, Coffee. Kape at Echostore.ph.

For more information about Brew: Cafe, Coffee, Kape, visit the Food Writers Association of the Philippine Facebook Group.