Anna de Ocampo

Ana and I go way back because she was the grade school friend of one of my sisters in law and our son’s were classmates in pre-school. We knew each other but only really connected and got to know each other better about two or three years ago because of common friends and common ground, our Christian faith. Ana’s success story is special to me because I was witness to her success. Every so often, I will feature women (and maybe, men) who inspire me. People who made and continue to make a difference in our society and whose stories will encourage us to better our lives and perspective in life. Anna, as many know, is the owner of the very successful, WILDFLOUR restaurant. Easily, one would think, this girl got lucky and made it big. But, really, there’s a beautiful story behind it, a story that had everything to do with loads and loads of prayers.

Nicole (N): How did WF start and what made you decide on it despite not being a restaurateur?

Ana (A): Food has always been my passion. Hotel and restaurant management was my course in college, then I went to culinary school after graduating. The decision to do it later in life had everything to do with timing. It wasn’t really planned, that’s why I believe it was destined.

N: What convinced you that this was for you?

A: My father gave us seed money from the sale of one of our corporations. My father was never one to shoot down our ideas, and if he liked it, he encouraged us. I showed him the location and we would sit across the site for hours, holding meetings in a nearby coffee shop to view the traffic till he was convinced it was a good location. This wasn’t my first choice for the location but when we chanced upon the Net Lima (Fort) building space, I fell in love.

N: Who are your partners and who conceptualized this?

A: My sister Margie, who is a pastry Chef. She is also my partner, her husband Walter Manzke, who is a chef helps us w the creation of all dishes. Walter owns Republic restaurant in La Brea, California. And out of the goodness of his heart, he helps us with everything.

N: What were your struggles?

A: In the beginning, it was very exciting but there came a time when I actually thought I was making a big mistake and my enthusiasm was waning. Construction was a shock and major hurdle for me. I know nothing about it, so there were days I would think to myself and say, what have I done? I mean, I like to bake but I don’t like construction! Walter came up with the concept and Lara Barrios executed it architecturally. The interior though, is all just Marge, Walter and I, making it rustic industrial. Banks were also reluctant to give me additional funding because they believed mostly in franchising.

N: How did you get through it and what kept you going?

A: I decided to commit myself to prayer and be guided by God’s leading. I persevered. Every morning, I would lock myself in my room and give strict instructions that I am not to be bothered by anyone or anything for the next hour or so. Until I come out. I prayed to get through construction. I prayed for long lines and customers. I prayed for everything connected to WF, and miraculously, everything came to be. If there was a construction problem, I would enter the bathroom and pray, when I got out, the issue would instantly be fixed. When opening day came, I saw the long lines I prayed for. I also made a promise to God, to give Him the first fruits of my earnings, not loose change. That’s why I know, all this is all God’s doing.

N: Victories?

A: Seeing WF, Fort flourish. Opening WF, Salcedo branch. And many more in the works.

N: Where are you today?

A: We’re not yet there. It’s a great accomplishment but we can still do more. I didn’t expect this overwhelming success which I attribute to prayer only. My dreams have really come into place. As I child, I would see the PINK’S hotdog establishment in the states and who ever thought that one day, it would be me bringing it into the country— one of the world’s biggest chains. They have no franchises outside the U.S. except the Philippines. I also have an upcoming 1920’s style soda fountain parlour in the works, opening in about 2 months, called FARMACY. When God blesses, it’s not small time!

This concludes the success story of Anna, for now, but there’s a lot more to come. I can’t wait to tell you the story of PINK’S before it opens. I do want to tell you all though, that I left this early morning meeting with a happy tummy, good spirits and the excitement to run to the blessed sacrament to pour out my heart in prayer and be expectant for what God has in store.