How This Single Mom Started an Award-Winning Business for Breastfeeding Moms
Di Anne Mendoza’s journey to breastfeed her child inspired her to advocate for breastfeeding moms. Her advocacy bore fruit and eventually became MyBreastfriend Massage and Breastfeeding Care Center, also known as the Breastfeeding Care Center of the North, a pioneering support center for mothers in the Cordilleras. Today, Mendoza aims to expand and put up one breastfeeding care center per city through the power of franchising.
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A Single Mom’s Journey
Mendoza was a teacher, call center agent, and trainer before she pursued her masters degree in English. In 2015, she got pregnant and became a single mom.
After giving birth, Mendoza had a hard time breastfeeding her baby, which caused the child to be in a critical health situation due to dehydration. The new mother was advised to undergo lactation massage to produce more milk. However, at the time, the service wasn’t available anywhere in Baguio.
While teaching, Mendoza also underwent training for breastfeeding counseling by Arugaan (Marikina), an organization for women with infants/young children that aims to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. By empowering families to achieve their breastfeeding goals, this support system ensures food security.
Facilitators from Arugaan later went to Baguio to train Mendoza and a group of aspiring breastfeeding counselors and they became the first-ever branch in Baguio to be trained, not only in lactation massage, but also in counseling and breastfeeding education. “Counseling goes hand in hand with the lactation massage and it also establishes strong mental health and confidence,” says Mendoza.
This gave birth to MyBreastfriend, the country’s first-ever holistic lactation massage and breastfeeding care center for the family. From starting out at a small apartment and then officially opening its branch in the central business district of Baguio City, MyBreastfriend is now opening its first branch in SM North EDSA, a location secured with the help of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA). The new branch is opening in time for the celebration of Mother’s Day, in tribute to all breastfeeding moms in the country.
An Award-winning Franchise
In 2023, MyBreastfriend was named champion of the NxtGen in Franchising Competition, beating over 100 business concepts. It has since then won several other recognitions such as BPI Ka-Negosyo Special Award, Go Negosyanteng Angat Award, and InLife Healthcare Award.
MyBreastfriend addresses several challenges faced by families and mothers, including lack of information, lack of support system, and lack of adequate time for the family, through educational services and expert massage services.
Their educational services focus on counseling and breastfeeding education where they dispel myths and misconceptions about breastfeeding and increase awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies.
Meanwhile, lactation massages are performed by Arugaan-certified and DOH-licensed therapists aimed at providing soothing massages that promote relaxation and stress relief, known to enhance milk production. Aside from lactation massages, they also provide therapeutic massages for the entire family to promote quality family time, strengthen the mother’s support system, and build lasting family memories.
For inquiries about MyBreastfriend, call/text 0919-0030926 or visit their website. You may also visit their branch at 504, 5th Floor, North Link Bldg., SM North EDSA, Quezon City.
Visit www.francorp.com.ph or contact Tel. No.: (+632) 8638-3149 and 50 / Globe Mobile: 0917-8355530 / Smart Mobile: 0920-9610810 / Email: [email protected] for more information.
Sam Christopher Lim is the CEO of Francorp Philippines; Co-author of 12 Strategies for Franchising; President of U-Franchise Sales & Management; Chairman for ASEAN Integration of the Philippine Franchise Association; and Chairman for ActionCOACH Philippines.
