In 2015, Canada-based Filipino entrepreneur Sunshine Asuncion gave birth not just to her youngest son but also to her home-based business, The Crafters Marketplace Manila.

Sunshine recalls, "I wanted to have an income that would help me stay home and raise my two young kids. Being a paper crafter who lived in Canada, I had access to a lot of beautiful paper, ephemera, and tools. So I figured that supplying these tools to crafters in the Philippines would be a great place to start. That's how The Crafters Marketplace Manila was born! I started by sending materials via sea cargo boxes, until eventually, we were able to set up a small shop at the Rustan's Grocery in Shangri-La Mall. From there, we had the opportunity to do workshops, mini classes, and eventually, events!"

When asked what inspired her to start organizing bazaars in Manila while living in Canada, Sunshine notes, "Prior to the pandemic, I would host an annual event called Christmas Craft Day. It was that one day in the year when all we would work on would be holiday cards, tags, and other giftable paper items. We would also open the space to vendors so that we could shop for their products in one go! These events would get anywhere from 10 to 12 vendors. When the pandemic happened, our events pivoted to being online, which meant we had to do away with the vendors. But they were the businesses that greatly benefited from our events because having over 100+ crafters in one place meant more benta (sales) for them!" She adds that this success carried on even after the pandemic.

"When the Philippines finally opened up, I saw it as an opportunity to help smaller stores, creatives, and families trying to recover from the impact of the past two years. Markets were a great way for them to showcase their products to customers once again."

As someone living in Canada and running these ventures successfully from afar, Sunshine credits her team.

"I have an amazing team. None of these events could ever happen without them. They let me dream, and then they set that dream into motion. Believe it or not, I only met most of my team members in April 2024! We've been working together for over a year or two, yet the only time we actually saw each other in person was when I came for a three-week working holiday!"

As for the challenges, Sunshine quips, "What are our challenges? Our time difference. Most of the time, we are working into the wee hours of the morning to get things done. But after a year and about 15 events under our belt, we have found our groove. We set up a system that works for us, we know our boundaries as a company, and we have clearly laid out how we address orders and invitations for markets."

Aside from running a successful business, Sunshine is also known for mentoring solo and small businesses.

When asked what drove her to take on this role, she explains, "I had the privilege of having a really kind boss when I was working in California. He mentored me a lot, taught me how to organize big events, and inspired me to start my own business. In short, his kindness and wisdom changed my mindset and attitude, thus changing my life. So I promised myself to do the same for those I come in contact with. Imagine being able to impact someone's life with just a suggestion or two. Or better yet, imagine changing someone's legacy by helping them improve their business — that thought always excites me!"

She also reflects on how her life in Canada influenced her approach to the Manila market.

"Equality between vendor and organizer," she says. "In the past, as a vendor, I felt like a second-class citizen. I always had to just accept what the organizer gave me. No lights? Okay. Just a booth at the back? Okay. Markets here are very partnership-driven. The merchants need to have a voice that you will listen to and work with. I always take time to listen to my merchants and their needs. In the same token, merchants cannot mistreat our team. I do not accept that kind of behavior in our community. Use your words nicely. No yelling. No mistreating or demeaning anyone. We are all here to help each other."

Sunshine also generously shared advice for small business owners.

"There is no such thing as a get-rich-quick scheme. You need to go through the hardships — the long sleepless nights, the fear, the anxiety, and the stress. Once you are familiar with all of these, you will know exactly how to maneuver through them and overcome them."

She also touched on how the craft and small business scene has expanded in Manila.

"Platforms such as Alibaba, Temu, and Shopee have tried to replicate craft items by selling them for cheap, cutting out the process and the value of handmade items, which is the biggest aspect of crafting. Handcrafted comes from the heart, and that's something you cannot put a price tag on."When asked for a success story of a vendor or small business owner who has grown through her mentorship, Sunshine quickly acknowledges Paula Calantuan-Legaspi of Stitches & Needles.

"I met Paula in 2019 at a women's event. She came in with two very small children, and you could see the exhaustion in her eyes. As we got introduced, our mutual friend mentioned that maybe Paula could make the bags for my Christmas Craft Day. I looked at her work — it was very nice, pulido (well-made), and you could tell she took pride in it. But she struggled with costing, which is common among crafters. We spent some time talking about pricing, and embracing the fact that part of the price of her bags reflects her skill, talent, and attention to detail."

Sunshine is excited about the future, too.

"I want to become a sought-after market organizer, the one that merchants really chase after — not just for high foot traffic and sales but because I am involved and invested in their well-being. I pride myself and my team in caring about our vendors — their health, well-being, sales, and success. Sold-out markets mean nothing if your vendors aren't getting the sales they need to cover rent, cost of goods, and the cost of being there at your market."

Lastly, when asked what sets The Crafters Marketplace Manila apart from other bazaars and markets, Sunshine thoughtfully responds: "Malasakit."

"Being a bazaarista myself for over four years, I know how hard it is to ingress at the break of dawn, be on your feet for over 10 hours, sometimes without lunch breaks, or worse — no support because you're short-staffed. Together with my team, we make sure our vendors have the help they need when they arrive at 6 a.m. No trolley? We have ours on-site. Need help lifting? Our guys are there to lift boxes and heavy stuff. We even have a water station (hot and cold!) for coffee or cold drinks. When possible, we do group catered lunches so vendors can take bites between customers. Little things like that make life easier for our vendors. Small acts of kindness that show them we're in this for the long haul."