Support our small business! Altera Atelier Maitre Couturier

Who am I?

My name is Raphael Anthone Santos, but everybody calls me Anthon. I currently work as a freelance writer and previously worked as a Call Center Agent. 

Where do I live?

I live in the province of Cavite, Philippines, and moved here a year ago since we cannot take the environment anymore around the city. From the noisy environment, the sounds of the hauling engine to the endless honking of horns during traffic, including the congestion issue around the capital region.

What problem do I need to solve?

The reason why I left my previous company is I no longer want to be part of the rat race, where other people compete to rise from the corporate ladder. I want to be my own boss instead and help my mother in this business. She's very passionate about her craft as a dressmaker and she's been doing this for 30 years as her source of income. However, she was not able to save her own money since she was the breadwinner of her family back then, and also to support me and my 2 other siblings.

Aside from being a freelance writer, I'm also the moderator of our page. I created this logo from photopea.com, and you can visit our Facebook page here at https://web.facebook.com/AlteraUnlimited

Since I left the company, I need to wait for my last pay including my 13th month for 30 to 60 days. I just recently starting my career as a freelance writer, but I'm able to make a few dollars which are not enough to cover the funds to purchase new equipment for our dress shop. I know that we're in the middle of the pandemic. Instead of requesting aid from the government which would take weeks or a month to have it processed, I believe and hope this crowdfunding will help to gather the funds we need and have our business up and running.

When did we start the business?

We started the business this year in February, and my mother already has clients until the lockdown was declared in March. So, our clients have no choice but to cancel their appointment and postpone the project. It was tough during that time. I was working on-site just to cover the rent every month. When the lockdown lessens their restrictions from June up to this day, we started to offer alteration or repair services around the neighborhood, until we got 3 new clients. 2 of them are for ready-to-wear outfits, the other one is for wedding gowns.

We only have one sewing machine operational, the other one needs repairs. We have an edging machine which I purchased it on my own, and converted our shelf to a cutting table. 3 mannequins, the other one is improvised made out of boxes covered in paper bags.

Why do you need that amount?

Currently, our dress shop is in our apartment located at a subdivision here on General Trias, Cavite. To cover this month's rent, which costs $100.00. The other sewing machine needs to be restored which also costs $100.00. The rest of the funds ($300.00) will be for the new equipment.

I will keep you posted for new updates once I gather the funds after 15 days or a month.

What's in it for me?

With your help, I may able to guide my mother to save on her own. I know that she did everything for her family during that time and with my siblings as well. For her, It is never too late to start over again. Share this to your wall, to your family, and friends around social media.

Thank you! And have a great day ahead!