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Almost three years ago, I almost never got into scrapbooking if not for a scrapbook class offered by this super friendly girl who I met online from another e-group. If not for this girl’s, pioneering spirit, budding scrapbookers like me would never have seen the opportunity that scrapbooking has.
That girl who offered the class, and who taught us the importance of acid free stuff in scrapbooking is Sahrie Wenceslao, proud owner of Scrapbukan.
Back in 2004, Scrapbukan was the first store I ever knew who offered scrapbook stuff here in the Philippines. At a time when there was a scarcity of local scrapbook suppliers, Scrapbukan was already feeding everyone’s passion with all the wonderful papers and embellishments her online store has to offer.
With friends who are already into scrapbooking and being an avid scrapbooker herself, Sahrie decided that it was the right time to enter into this business and make a niche in Manila. As Sahrie enthused “running a business halfway across the world definitely has its challenges.” But despite this, Scrapbukan became a success in the local scrapbook industry.
The distance from her friends did not deter her in offering the best to the growing scrapbook community in Manila. Her proximity to where all the scrapbook action in the U.S is meant that, she also gets to offer the latest products and current trends to her customers.
Sahrie’s pioneering ideas even went beyond just the scrapbook products.
Scrapbukan was the first local scrapbook store to showcase her own Design Team. Design Teams for the stores were known more in the U.S. But Sahrie knew that she can do it here as well. “Having a design team is great on so many levels. Scrapbukan gets to promote local scrapbookers and showcase their work. It also gives our customers ideas on how to use the products we sell.”
Her innovation didn’t stop with the DT offer, she surpassed people’s expectations even more by bringing in Mary Grace Abuzman in January 2007, one of the well-know scrapbookers in the U.S and a fellow Filipina, to conduct a scrapbook class. Asked about this Sahrie noted “as with any hobby, it's always great to learn new things on how to improve or expand what you love to do. I have benefited tremendously by attending scrapbooking classes here in the U.S. and I wanted to provide our customers in Manila with the same opportunity.”
But with competition brewing in this fast growing industry, Sahrie can only say that, “Scrapbukan has always been about customer service and great products. We try to offer new and trendy products as well as unique products that make a scrapper think out of the box. I think Scrapbukan's strengths are providing excellent customer service, quick delivery times, competitive pricing, product variety, educational and fun events, and a user-friendly website.”
There are a lot of things in store for Scrapbukan in 2008. They will continue to innovate and be the trendsetter in this industry. Among the activities lined-up, regular selling event every first Saturday of the month, monthly challenges and some make-and-takes.
Aside from that, they can look forward to a Scrapbook Class to be conducted by renowned scrapbook artist and Fontwerks owner, Kah-Mei Smith. Kah-Mei will be teaching teaching a 3.5-hour class using the latest Fontwerks stamps and other exciting products.
Truly an innovation! Scrapbukan will continue to pioneer and make a mark in the local scrapbooking industry.
So as they say, better start marking your calendars and go Scrapbukan Na!
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