Thursday, July 14, 2011

Pinay is one of top entrepreneurs in US

WASHINGTON DC – Ten years after immigrating to the United States, and 3 years after starting her own business, Nina Rodecker is one of America’s top entrepreneurs.

She has been feted by the Chamber of Commerce, the US Congress, and the White House.

It was a far cry from her days growing up in Sampaloc, where she sold mangga and bagoong at a grade school until the nuns forbade it.

Rodecker and about a hundred other young entrepreneurs were invited to DC to help promote business start-ups and jobs, and help rescue the US economy.

"We have to support small business started by entrepreneurs because small business accounts for three-fourths of the economy. More small businesses, more jobs, better economy," Rodecker said.

Rodecker's Tasty Clouds Candy company was born when she couldn’t find a store to satisfy a craving for cotton candy when she was pregnant.

Some of the candy that Nina Rodecker sells in the Tasty Clouds Candy Company.

The company has now cornered the cotton candy business in Los Angeles, capturing an A-list clientele which includes Paris Hilton, other stars, chefs, musicians and athletes.

She said that Filipinos have qualities that make them good entrepreneurs wherever they may be.

"First and foremost, they should work on their passion. We Filipinos are very persevering, we are very determined. Those are good qualities that would really turn to successful business," she said.

Her advice to other aspiring Filipino-American entrepreneurs: "Think big. This is America, think bigger."

After making one of the simplest sugar treats into a million-dollar business, Rodecker is now setting her sights on bigger things.

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