A TikTok account named Lola Nena uploaded a video of its co-founder and chief operating officer, Steffi Santana, titled “A day with my apo, Steffi,” which went viral on social media.
Lolo Nena’s is a Filipino-inspired bakery and cafe that brings its customers the warmth and comfort of homemade goodness.
Highlights
- Steffi Carmela Roman Santana co-founded Lola Nena’s, a Filipino-based bakery and cafe.
- The recent video uploaded to Lola Nena’s TikTok account went viral, and viewers criticized Steffi Santana online.
- Steffi Santana posted an apology online for her irresponsible actions and words.
The bakery chain started utilizing social media to promote its products in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic prompted lockdowns, which caused people to maximize technology while housebound.
Their online content has since inspired Filipinos, from inclusive job postings to jumping into trends to make themselves relatable to Pinoys.
Steffi Santana Faced Criticism Due To Her Recent Viral Video
In the recent controversial video, Steffi met with her staff during their lunch break, disappointing many people. She said,
“Of course, lunch is not the only break. It’s another chance to clarify and remind ourselves: What is our main goal? And how do we keep ourselves accountable to those main goals?”
The next part of the video featured Steffi visiting another branch to pick up some products for a photoshoot. She said that she found it difficult to visit their branches.
She explained,
“I see a lot, I want additional training, I want innovations to be introduced in the store,”
After visiting the Makati branch, she went on to her photoshoot for Alike Magazine’s Top 50.
Steffi said business owners don’t want to step in front of the camera as they have many other responsibilities. She added,
“Do we still have to show up and take pictures to be online? But I guess if we really want to connect with our audience and customers, the best way is to be transparent and authentic to them.”
She ended the video by asking people to stick around as she grew and shared behind the scenes of Lola Nena’s bakery.
The original video was posted on Lola Nena’s official TikTok handle. However, it has now been deleted.
A popular Facebook page, “We Are Millennials,” reposted the video on their page with a caption,
“My fantasy of a family-owned small business thinking of gimmicks because someone decided to chase the clout and have their moment was destroyed.”
Moreover, they also added their insights on working lunches, saying they should be illegal.
Many people have also said that, due to this video, they will no longer buy bakery items from Lola Nena’s.
Another Facebook user wrote,
“Behind a successful, strong, and empowered woman, are a few more women who were forced to work during their lunch break.”“Steffi, lunch break is lunch break,” wrote another.“Respect the “break.” If you can’t give this to your people, Lola Nena’s workplace is screaming toxic environment.”
Steffi Santana Apologized For Being Irresponsible With Her Words And Actions In The Video
Since Steffi’s video went viral on social media, she has posted an apology online. She wrote,
“I’m sorry for being so careless and irresponsible with my words and actions,” “This is not my intention. I am also angry when someone is unfair or aggrieved. I’m sorry for posting it without context.”
About the work lunch, she explained that the colleagues she was with were an executive, a department head, and other members of management.
It was rare for them to be together at the office, as they had significant responsibilities, but they also had the benefit of deciding their working hours and when to take a break. She explained,
“In our roles, hindi maiwasan na sumasapaw ang meetings into eating time. Kapag nangyayari yun, we make sure that our breaks are still taken, even if they’re moved to another part of the day. Pero regardless of roles, importante pa rin ang healthy work-life boundaries.”
View this post on Instagram
She also apologized for posting a video of her day in the life to both her and Lola Nena’s pages, explaining her vision of her page, “@steffi.lolanenas,” which is meant to share the behind-the-scenes as well as ups and downs.
Steffi saw this situation as proof that, even after 12 years in the industry, there is still much to learn as a business owner and leader.
Additional Information
- Lola Nena’s co-founder, Steffi Carmela Roman Santana, is a graduate of Stanford University. She studied marketing at the Asian Institute of Management.
- Steffi started Lola Nena’s with her father, Kit Teotico Santana, in 2012.
- Lola Nena’s viral ad, which featured a moving car in the background, gives viewers a mini heart attack.
