Rags to Riches

Jonina Sy36Hs3-EPacita Juan Nowadays, coffee shops are one of the hottest places to hang out, but even before thecoffee house lifestyle hit the Philippines, one café has already established a name for itself. In the timethat serious coffee lovers had to get their fix at sky-high prices in hotels, Pacita “Chit” Juan, together withher friends, started the first local coffee chain that served good coffee at affordable prices. Their specialtyshop became known as Figaro.Even as a child, the youngest of eight, Juan and her siblings were taught by their father skills and values essential in becoming an entrepreneur. Even in grade school, her business inclinationwas evident as she sold chocolates to her classmates. She also got more experience working at her father'sused car business during summer break.True her upbringing, she later graduated from the University of the Philippines inDiliman with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. She also joined and organized bazaarswhere she sold bags that she made, and was willing to take risks to pursue her passion.It was in 1993 that her coffee venture began when she and seven brew-loving friendsdecided to open a shop where people can enjoy good coffee in a European café ambiance. Thus Figarowas born in the form of a kiosk in Glorietta, though it was initially called The F Store. They invested inhigh-quality equipment and though they originally offered imported blends, they decided to showcase andstick to Filipino coffee.In 1994, the partners opened their first real store in Glorietta and six months later movedto a different area in the mall. Soon, they were approached by other malls and by 1996, they started joining local franchise shows. Within two years, the first Figaro franchise was opened by Fernando Go inSM Megamall.Juan's passion for coffee didn't stop there. In 1999, she established the Figaro FoundationCorporation, the company's social responsibility arm, of which she is Executive Director. The foundationaims