Plentina is a Techstars startup that focuses on building a digital micro-credit application for everyday purchases; it has started its Philippine operations this year gearing up for the launch. As a co-founder of Plentina, we asked ourselves, who would be the best marketing minds that could help shape our marketing strategy for the Gen Z and millennial segment?
We quickly realised that even with our deep backgrounds in technology, data, and artificial intelligence, there is no substitute for customer empathy, especially coming from the generation that you want your product to serve.
Because of this, my co-founder Kevin and I decided to search for some of the smartest marketing interns in the Philippines to join our startup programme. Not just to do admin tasks, but to actually lead a critical part of our marketing strategies.
We kicked-off Plentina’s Marketing and Product Summer Cohort on June 30 with five starry-eyed interns: Ericka, Franco, Robin, Carlos, and Aby. The interns were put in-charge of three streams: Brand, Product, and Company.
Their internship coincided with the start of the Techstars programme. Starting on July 13, it focussed on financial access. Anyone in our company, including the interns, was welcome to attend any session during the programme –this was a part of the experience.
Six weeks into the internship and four weeks into Techstars, we asked them about their reflections on building a fintech startup and the lessons they have learned during the experience. Here is what they told us:
Lesson 1: Mentors enable your growth
“Compared to established corporations, I believe that startups offer a lot more room for growth as we are given more responsibilities and are constantly challenged to keep up with the fast-paced, action-driven work environment. Additionally, working in a startup usually means working closely with the founders of the company’s core team,” said Ericka Frances Chan, students at the University of the Philippines – Diliman.
“As someone who would want to have her own business in the future, this was the best opportunity for me to get a better grasp of the realities of entrepreneurship and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to start and scale up a business,” she added.
“I believe that Plentina’s co-founder, Earl Valencia, and general manager, Alexander Capulong, both played key roles in guiding us, interns. They were both very welcoming and valued all our contributions and ideas. Having this open and trusting work environment encouraged us to experiment with new ideas and to just learn from one another.”
Lesson 2: Responsibilities hone your skills
According to Franco Dytianquin, a student at Ateneo de Manila University, Plentina gave him opportunities for growth and to experience how startups work intensively.
“We were given a lot of responsibilities with Plentina’s branding and their product’s marketing. The interns were grouped into different streams according to a specific function in the company, having certain interns lead each stream. We’d have weekly meetings for each stream where we’d present our deliverables and check-up sessions with the entire team to see our progress,” he said.
“Though it seemed difficult, the co-founder, Valencia, ensured that we’d be guided all throughout the internship programme.”
Lesson 3: Your attitude towards work and colleagues matters
Carlos Dimailig of the University of the Philippines – Diliman said, “I learned that kindness and success can exist in a working space.”
“I learned multiple things about starting a business, primarily teamwork. Valuing the team’s opinions, regardless of hierarchy, is one of the best ones I’ve learned. My insights as an intern were given the same attention and value as other people in the team. I also learned that, as an entrepreneur, you must be ready to juggle multiple responsibilities,” he elaborated.
“Because Plentina is still in its grassroots, Earl and Kevin are tasked to juggle multiple responsibilities. We, interns, were tasked to deliver multiple outputs concerning several departments. This just goes to show the extraordinary ability that is required from those working in a startup. But, most importantly, I learned that kindness and success can exist in a working space.”
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Lesson 4: Everyone compliments each other
“The most impactful thing that I was able to realise is that everyone is different, and it’s this difference that makes us complement one another well,” said Robin Oo from Ateneo de Manila University.
Oo added, “With the time I’ve spent with the interns throughout the programme, I have nothing but love and appreciation towards them. The most impactful thing that I was able to realise is that everyone is different, and it’s this difference that makes us complement one another well.
“An example of this is that we have interns who take more initiative, while others are better exchanging thoughts and ideas. Despite being very quiet, everyone’s gradually opening up through our weekly meetings and team-building initiatives. Moreover, each intern has been very responsive and considerate with one another, trying to align all deliverables to create one cohesive output. I think all of us will keep this internship programme as a fulfilling experience where we make new friendships that can last as we continue to progress into our respective careers.”
Lesson 5: Passion and purpose are important
Abelyn Bunagan from University of the Philippines – Baguio, said, “I am thrilled to design something that generates a type of culture in the corporate space.”
“Unlike the other interns, I am already three years into my career. After a couple of major research projects, a teaching and media job, I felt being back to square one. Figuring out what I want to do for a career and finding my passion. The Plentina internship couldn’t have come at a better time.”
“It has given me a purpose after a few months. What I love about this experience is how much involved we are in building the company, this means that we were given a lot of responsibilities. It is tiring but fulfilling at the same time.”
Also Read: Lessons from a student entrepreneur on building a successful startup
“I am also part of the HR stream for Operations. One of my tasks is to create an employee handbook. The handbook may look insignificant but it is actually the bedrock of company culture. As a Social Anthropology graduate, I am thrilled to design something that generates a type of culture in the corporate space. This is something that I have never done before but I am grateful to have mentors to guide me along the process.”
Despite being interns, their insights and commitment have helped Plentina to rethink and reshape its marketing strategies and have served as key members of the team to contribute towards its product launch. You can never underestimate the amazing knowledge and potential of this digital generation.
They have all the information at their fingertips because of the internet and can get up to speed much quicker than I might have done at that point in my career.
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