When Bobby Adan saw his brand on a massive Nasdaq billboard in Times Square in November 2024, he wasn’t just celebrating visibility—he was honoring a journey rooted in grit, resilience, and community.
The Prutasan ni Adan founder, together with his wife Shera Mae, had turned a humble fruit stall in Mactan into one of Cebu’s most trusted names in premium fresh produce.
What started with ₱5,000 and banana deliveries to a canteen now operates three branches and a growing wholesale business.
Bobby’s leap from a stable accounting job to entrepreneurship was driven by a mission: to offer high-quality fruits to Cebuanos with the flair of global markets.
Their story caught national and international attention. In the same month as the Times Square feature—part of Grab’s campaign for small businesses—Bobby was named Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Online engagement proved pivotal to growth. “It was his consistency that made us stand out,” Shera Mae said.
The couple leveraged digital platforms not just to promote but to listen—adjusting offerings based on Facebook and Google reviews.
Bobby’s innovations helped navigate industry challenges like spoilage. The “fruits-in-a-cup” concept, introduced in 2022, reduced waste and offered customers convenient, healthy options.
Today, their product line includes salads, pantry staples, and curated food items from other local entrepreneurs.
Yet, profitability remains tight due to perishability. Rather than rush expansion, Bobby focuses on infrastructure, quality control, and building strategic partnerships.
The business is exploring collaborations with resorts and wholesalers across the Visayas, and Bobby envisions nationwide growth in the next five to ten years.
For now, Prutasan ni Adan stands as a model for modern Filipino SMEs—digitally fluent, community-rooted, and driven by purpose.
“Success doesn’t happen overnight,” Bobby said. “You build it with sacrifice, humility, and a deep understanding of your craft.”
Business News Asia