Title: From Restaurant to Digital Success: The Story of Don Machiato
Characters:
1. Rica (Host)
2. RJ (Host)
3. Jeannie (Co-Founder of Don Machiato)
4. Winston (Co-Founder of Don Machiato)
5. Guest 1 (Operations Manager) – handles logistics, supply chain, and daily business
operations.
6. Guest 2 (Marketing Head) – oversees the marketing campaigns, branding, and
collaborations.
7. Guest 3 (Social Media Manager) – manages the online presence and social media
content.
8. Guest 4 (Product Developer) – responsible for creating and innovating new drink
recipes.
9. Guest 5 (Delivery Coordinator) – manages the delivery process and relationships with
delivery partners.
[Scene Opens]
(Hosts Rica and RJ are sitting on a modern set with a cozy backdrop. The 7 guests sit in a
semicircle, excited to share their story.)
Rica:
(Smiling to the camera)
Good evening, everyone! Welcome to another exciting episode of Shift to Success, where we
explore inspiring stories of business transformation. I’m Rica.
RJ:
And I’m RJ. Tonight’s episode is special because we’re talking about one of the biggest success
stories from Davao – Don Machiato. We have with us the founders Jeannie and Winston, and the
amazing team behind the success of their business.
Rica:
That’s right, RJ. Let’s start with Jeannie and Winston. You started as a restaurant but had to
close due to the pandemic. What was going through your minds during that time?
Jeannie:
(Smiling)
We didn’t want to give up. The pandemic was a tough time for everyone, but it also forced us to
think outside the box. We thought about what people still craved during lockdowns – milk tea
and coffee. So, we shifted from a restaurant to an online business, focusing on beverages.
Winston:
(Adding)
Exactly, we turned Don Machiato into an online coffee and milk tea business. We used platforms
like Facebook, Instagram, Grab, and Foodpanda to market and deliver our drinks. The key was
being quick to adapt.
RJ:
(Nodding)
That’s an amazing pivot. Now, let’s hear from your team. How about you, Guest 1? As the
Operations Manager, what challenges did you face in managing the business during this
transition?
Guest 1 (Operations Manager):
(Thoughtful)
The biggest challenge was the supply chain. During the pandemic, getting ingredients was
difficult because of delivery restrictions and supplier shortages. We had to find new local
suppliers and make sure that our operations could continue despite the limitations. It took a lot of
coordination and planning.
Rica:
(Curious)
How did you overcome those challenges? Was there a particular moment when things started to
get smoother?
Guest 1 (Operations Manager):
(Nods)
Yes, after the first few months, we streamlined our process. We worked with local farmers for
fresh ingredients, like coffee beans which not only helped us, but also supported local
communities. We also automated some of our inventory processes, so we knew exactly when we
were running low on stock.
RJ:
(Turning to Guest 2, the Marketing Head)
Now, marketing plays a huge role in a digital business. Guest 2, you were in charge of marketing
during the transition. How did you approach promoting Don Machiato online?
Guest 2 (Marketing Head):
(Smiling proudly)
We focused heavily on digital marketing. We ran ads on Facebook and Instagram, and we
worked with local influencers in davao to spread the word. We knew we needed to stand out in a
crowded online space, so we created visually appealing content and limited-time offers to draw
in customers. Collaborations with local influencers helped us reach new audiences quickly.
Rica:
(Impressed)
That sounds like a smart strategy! What about collaborations? I’ve heard you’ve partnered with
other businesses. How did that help expand your reach?
Guest 2 (Marketing Head):
(Nodding)
Yes, collaborations were a game-changer for us. We partnered with food bloggers and even
collaborated with other local businesses to create combo deals. This helped us get noticed by a
wider audience and also built relationships with other entrepreneurs.
RJ:
(Turning to Guest 3, the Social Media Manager)
Let’s talk about social media, which is crucial for any online business. Guest 3, as the Social
Media Manager, how did you manage to create a strong online presence for Don Machiato?
Guest 3 (Social Media Manager):
(Excitedly)
We really focused on building a community. We created fun and interactive in our online pages,
more specifically in facebook, we created contents like polls, that tell what style of milktea we
should sell next, we also give awards to those people who shares a lot of our content in social
media, awards like coupons and free milktea. In addition we also do customer shoutouts to
engage our followers. We make sure to respond quickly to messages and inquiries. Customers
love feeling connected to the brand, so we made sure our social media felt like a two-way
conversation.
Rica:
(Curious)
Social media can sometimes be tricky. Were there any challenges in handling customer feedback
online?
Guest 3 (Social Media Manager):
(Nods)
Definitely. One challenge was addressing negative feedback publicly. We made it a priority to
respond to all feedback – both good and bad – with professionalism. It was important to maintain
a positive image and show our customers that we care about their experience.
RJ:
(Turning to Guest 4, the Product Developer)
Now, creating new and exciting products is key to staying competitive. Guest 4, as the Product
Developer, how do you come up with new flavors and ideas?
Guest 4 (Product Developer):
(Smiling)
We’re always experimenting with new ingredients. We look at what’s trending, but we also
make sure to stay true to our Filipino roots. We’ve introduced flavors inspired by local fruits like
calamansi and ube. Customer feedback also plays a big role. We listen to what our customers
want and innovate based on that.
Rica:
(Nods)
That’s brilliant! Can you tell us about a popular drink you’ve recently developed?
Guest 4 (Product Developer):
(Excited)
One of our bestsellers right now is the Ube Macchiato, which is a blend of coffee and the sweet,
creamy flavor of ube. It’s become really popular on social media because of its unique taste and
Instagram-worthy look. Actually we brought 2 of these just for you to taste.
RJ:
(Turning to Guest 5, the Delivery Coordinator)
Guest 5, you’re in charge of managing deliveries, which must have been a major part of the
business shift. What were some of the delivery challenges you faced?
Guest 5 (Delivery Coordinator):
(Thinking)
The biggest challenge was making sure that the drinks arrived in perfect condition. With
deliveries, especially long-distance ones, there’s always a risk of spills or temperature changes.
We had to experiment with different types of packaging until we found one that kept the drinks
secure and at the right temperature.
Rica:
(Curious)
That sounds tricky. How did you manage to improve the delivery process?
Guest 5 (Delivery Coordinator):
(Nods)
We trained our delivery partners on how to handle our drinks carefully, and we invested in better
packaging materials. We also set up a tracking system so customers could follow their orders in
real-time. This helped build trust with our customers.
RJ:
(Smiling to Jeannie and Winston)
It sounds like you’ve got an incredible team here. So, what’s next for Don Machiato? How many
branches do you have now, and what’s on the horizon?
Winston:
(Proudly)
We now have 12 branches across the Philippines, and we’re in talks for international
collaborations. It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come.
Jeannie:
(Smiling)
And we’re constantly looking for ways to innovate and grow. We want to expand both online
and with physical stores, while staying true to our core values.
Rica:
(Smiling)
Your story is truly inspiring. From a humble restaurant to a nationwide success story, Don
Machiato is proof that resilience and adaptability can lead to amazing results.
So what advice can you give to the viewers and the aspiring entrepreneurs about starting their
own business?
Jeannie:
Umm, be persistent, if you truly want to be successful, you must overcome challenges.
Winston: indeed, perseverance is the key to success, do what is necessary, do not limit yourself
to explore on things that is needed for your business to grow.
Rica:
What an astonishing advice, you guys are truly influential.
Thank you to the entire team for sharing your journey!
RJ:
(Grinning)
Yes, thank you all! We look forward to seeing what’s next for Don Machiato.
Rica:
(Turning to the camera)
Thank you, viewers, for joining us on this inspiring episode of Shift to Success. We hope you’ve
learned valuable lessons from the team at Don Machiato. Until next time, I’m Rica.
RJ:
And I’m RJ. Goodnight, everyone!
(The camera fades out as the hosts and guests wave goodbye.)
