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  • Writer's pictureLJ MAE JIMENEA

Fueled by Dreams and Creativity: Inspiring Student Artists and Entrepreneurs in Iligan City



This article delves into the stories of these young individuals who are driven by their dreams and creativity to make a mark in the local art and business scenes. Join us as we explore the inspiring journeys of these talented students and the impact of their artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors on the dynamic cultural landscape of Iligan City.


Blizarre Bits

Made to Empower.



Blizarre Bits was founded by 4th year BS Entrepreneurship students of MSU-IIT as a part of their academic curriculum. Just like any other business, they had a lot of failed ideas before they came up with Blizarre Bits. Their aim was to have the opportunity to empower the identities of their customers through creativity. Their target audience are aesthetically keen consumers who are into accessories, beaded bits, and handcrafted designs.


Bizarre Bits empowers the community through their beaded trinkets. Their collection of trinkets will have different themes every month.


"Whatever community they belong to, they can proudly wear their identities through their personalized trinkets."

Blizarre Bits established and maintained its business presence by posting consistent branding strategies across various social media platforms. Their distribution channels encompass diverse avenues, including physical booths, an online storefront, and Shopee, ensuring accessibility for their customers. Additionally, the brand actively engages in external promotions through strategic partnerships with other businesses. A notable collaboration was forged with Madlove Production ILGN for the successful Taylor’s Night event, demonstrating their commitment to expanding reach and fostering mutually beneficial relationships within the community.


The Blizarre Bits team efficiently manages their time by setting deadlines, and consistently communicating with the team for updates. Their motivation stems from a shared commitment to excellence, both individually and for the collective success of the team. Through Blizarre Bits, the team also learned to communicate and lead and eventually compromise with team members. According to them, the most fulfilling aspect of being a student-entrepreneur is generating sales, and satisfaction from seeing their customers use and enjoy their products.


"Be prepared for a lot of changes. There are times when you will need to adjust for your business. Don’t give up, and compromise with the people you work with."

To connect with Blizarre Bits, you can contact them through their Facebook page, (https://www.facebook.com/blizarrebits) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/blizarrebits/).



Artist and Graphic Designer



Owned by Lady Jerhannah D. Getigan, a 4th year BS Accountancy student-artist at MSU-IIT. She began drawing as a child, spending much of her time at home while growing up, painting and drawing became an outlet—a way to escape to various worlds and adopt different personas. She ventured into learning various mediums and subjects, which ultimately shaped her into the artist she is today. She began by receiving requests to work on various projects, including writing names in calligraphy, eventually progressing to pencil portraits.


"Being given the honor to capture moments of great joy and love, made me appreciate God’s gifts, the gift of capturing nature and moments and enabling them to last forever. "

As a student-artist, she manages her time by dedicating her afternoons to attending classes and studying while reserving her evenings and early mornings for further studies. Fridays are exclusively reserved for painting, while mornings are devoted to crafting amigurumi.


Art serves as Lady’s outlet for self-expression, offering solace from life’s numerous challenges. Through art, she has acquired crucial skills—learning to observe nature on a smaller scale and cultivating patience, understanding that great creations require time. For her, the role of an artist is a privilege, providing the opportunity to encapsulate fleeting moments in time. The satisfaction derived from her artworks fuels the confidence to persist in her artistic endeavors.


“Start scared, start doubtful, start broke, start with a pencil. The important thing is you start your journey. Another thing is to be consistent, practice consistently, and step out of your comfort zone. And last thing, you don’t need expensive stuff to create, all you need to start is a pencil and a piece of paper. Start from there.”

You may contact Ladybee.PH through her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ladybeee.ph. or view her portfolio to get a glimpse of her masterpieces.



Retroglamzz

Boosting Confidence and Elevating your look with Retroglamzz



Diana Gayle Reyes, a 3rd-year BSBA Marketing Management student at MSU-IIT, is the founder of Retroglamzz. Originally began as a business plan during her senior high school years, Retroglamzz blossomed into a thriving venture, particularly during the pandemic. The surge in demand for mask chains became a catalyst, propelling Diana’s vision from concept to reality.


Diana highlights Retroglamzz’s competitive advantage as its innovative designs and techniques, leveraging distinctive bead arrangements to offer unique and personalized accessories. Crafting each handmade piece demands dedicated time, ranging from 5 minutes to 2 hours, ensuring meticulous attention to detail.


"Seeing my customers using Retroglamzz products and sharing stories about the products keeps me going."

Diana candidly shares her journey with Retroglamzz, acknowledging the numerous challenges and triumphs along the way. Through this venture, she honed her communication skills and adeptly learned the art of negotiation while interacting with customers. These experiences have been instrumental in her growth as an entrepreneur. Furthermore, Diana describes the process of crafting handmade accessories as a stimulating and creative challenge. Despite the inherent difficulties, she finds a therapeutic aspect in this artistic process, where the act of creation becomes a source of solace and fulfillment for her.


To efficiently manage her workload, Diana employs effective time management strategies. She meticulously organizes her schedule by setting alarms and creating detailed task lists, enabling her to stay focused and productive throughout the day.


"Start small, enjoy the process, and leverage social media."

To learn more about Retroglamzz, you may visit their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/retroglamzz), and Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/retroglamzz/).


The inspiring journey of these talented student artists reflects the potential for growth and innovation. As these individuals continue to pursue their dreams and showcase their creativity, they not only shape their own futures but also contribute to the city’s cultural and economic development.



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