Managing Nature's Resources While Earning?
More Fun in the Philippines!
Abella Plana de Dios, 52 years old, is a professional accountant from General
Santos City, South Cotabato. She is now a successful business woman, together with her husband, Ramon, in Malapascua - an island in Daanbantayan, Cebu.
Challenge of a Growing Business
In 2008, the couple started their water refilling station business. They also have two pump boats that transport tourists to and from Malapascua. Because of this, Abella decided to resign in her job to be a full-time and hands-on business woman. Their growing business also required additional capital. In 2009, Abella borrowed P5,000 additional capital from FAIR Bank (First Agro-Industrial Rural Bank) under the Kaabag group loan program. "At first, I didn't like the idea of borrowing money because I was afraid I won't be able to pay for it. Due to my strict monitoring of our cash flow, I am able to pay our loan regularly," says Abella.
All the businesses of the couple are continuously growing. "We know that we couldn't manage all three growing businesses that is why we employ 4-15 people to help us. We are happy during peak season because a lot of tourist visit the island. It is also easy to relax in an environment like this," shares Abella.
Before they achieve success in business, the couple also had to go through some challenges. "I am an accountant by profession. Yes, I am good with numbers, but there are some business aspects that I do not know. My husband and I have no formal business training. Only experience taught us the ropes around the business," relates Abella. Now, not only are they facing challenges in their businesses, but also challenges being tourism advocates. The couple are active in promoting tourism in their community. Ramon became Barangay Councilor and is now the leader of Barangay Patrol (BPAT) in the whole Municipality of Daanbantayan.
From a simple burger joint, Abella and Ramon are now making a name in the tourism industry. "For a growing business, it is important to focus on what you really want and what your plans are."
FAIR Bank
Dela Viña corner J. Lequin Streets, Bogo, Cebu City
Tel. No.: (032) 434-8849 / 434-8895 / 251-3028 loc. 110
Email: fairbank@rbap.org
Website: www.fairbank.com.ph
More Fun in the Philippines!
Abella Plana de Dios, 52 years old, is a professional accountant from General Santos City, South Cotabato. She is now a successful business woman, together with her husband, Ramon, in Malapascua - an island in Daanbantayan, Cebu.
Challenge of a Growing Business
In 2008, the couple started their water refilling station business. They also have two pump boats that transport tourists to and from Malapascua. Because of this, Abella decided to resign in her job to be a full-time and hands-on business woman. Their growing business also required additional capital. In 2009, Abella borrowed P5,000 additional capital from FAIR Bank (First Agro-Industrial Rural Bank) under the Kaabag group loan program. "At first, I didn't like the idea of borrowing money because I was afraid I won't be able to pay for it. Due to my strict monitoring of our cash flow, I am able to pay our loan regularly," says Abella.
All the businesses of the couple are continuously growing. "We know that we couldn't manage all three growing businesses that is why we employ 4-15 people to help us. We are happy during peak season because a lot of tourist visit the island. It is also easy to relax in an environment like this," shares Abella.
Before they achieve success in business, the couple also had to go through some challenges. "I am an accountant by profession. Yes, I am good with numbers, but there are some business aspects that I do not know. My husband and I have no formal business training. Only experience taught us the ropes around the business," relates Abella. Now, not only are they facing challenges in their businesses, but also challenges being tourism advocates. The couple are active in promoting tourism in their community. Ramon became Barangay Councilor and is now the leader of Barangay Patrol (BPAT) in the whole Municipality of Daanbantayan.
From a simple burger joint, Abella and Ramon are now making a name in the tourism industry. "For a growing business, it is important to focus on what you really want and what your plans are."
FAIR Bank
Dela Viña corner J. Lequin Streets, Bogo, Cebu City
Tel. No.: (032) 434-8849 / 434-8895 / 251-3028 loc. 110
Email: fairbank@rbap.org
Website: www.fairbank.com.ph
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Story of Jon Bantigue
Jon Bantigue, owner of Azta Urban Salon, grew up in an entrepreneurial family. His dad, Willie, spent the last 17 years in the distributorship business. “My dad came from a poor family. He experienced driving a tricycle to earn his daily allowance,” says Jon. His father’s entrepreneurial experiences shaped him up.
Young Entrepreneur
Jon was taught different entrepreneurial techniques while
growing up. “I remember my dad gave me P20 when I was a kid. He said, ‘We will
build a small stall in our house and sell whatever you buy using that money.’
So I went with my mom to the grocery and bought chips and nuts. My first
customers were our house helpers,” recalls Jon. “I earned from it, but I lost
them. I had this jar where I place my earnings. As a child, I also love to eat
hunk food, that’s why I bought from my own merchandise. My only mistake was I
used my earnings from the jar to buy my merchandise. My first business failed
when I was 5 years old.”
Jon’s next business
encounter was when he was in Grade 2. “I love drawing. I drew cartoon
characters on bookmarks. My Math teacher saw me and confiscated my bookmarks.
It was timely because we were talking about problem solving in class. She used
my bookmarks as example and said, ‘Jon has 20 bookmarks. If Jon is selling each
for P 5, how much money would he have if he sells all 20?’ She gave my
bookmarks back, but then all of my classmates wanted to buy them. That’s when I
first experienced free advertising,” Jon happily recalls.
Jon’s entrepreneurial mindset
continued until high school. Before going to college, he still wanted to pursue
his dream of becoming an architect; but his father’s influence won over. He
graduated as a Business Administration degree-holder in UP Diliman.
First Business Venture
Jon did not build his own business at once. He tried his
luck in the corporate world as a Marketing Trainee instead to gain enough work
experience. “After a year or so, I decided to quit corporate world and put up
my own business. I wanted to be my own boss; I want to be in control of my
time,” he said. While having his hair done in a barbershop, he started a small
talk with the barber and asked him about the business. That’s where he got the
idea of putting up his own salon business. “I learned that for every P50 worth
of haircut, 50% goes to the barber while the other 50% goes to the shop owner.
If the barber makes 20 haircuts a day, he would earn P500, and the barbershop
would also earn P500. Not bad, right? Build 10 barbershops earning P500, then
you will have P5, 000 a day,” Jon explains.
Using his learnings from school, he conducted a feasibility
study and market research about the salon business, together with his partner,
Jop. At the age of 23, Jon and Jop put up a salon in 2004. “We learned that
first, there was a fad for Korean hairstyle. Second, girls are willing to pay
more when it comes to grooming their hair. Third, customers don’t really mind
if there are girls or guys in a salon. So we became a salon for both men and
women. We used these learnings to create our edge. We give very good service
for a reasonable price; very hip, innovative and we offer personalized styles
for people between the 16-30 age bracket.”
In 8 years of doing business, Jon and partner now own 7
branches of Azta Urban Salon; 4 are franchised while 3 are company-owned.
“Based on the feedback of customers, we realized that the reasons for their
loyalty are first, they have tried the service of high-end salons, and we give
the same good quality at almost half the price; second, we offer the total
experience like serving drinks and free massage, and third, we also offer
personalized hairstyle.”
Importance of Education
Now that he has his own business, Jon appreciates the value
of the things he learned in college. “I apply everything I have learned in my
business. There are times when I review my books and notes in college and
assess how I use these concepts in my business,” says Jon. Aside from school,
his dad’s training is also a big factor for his Jon’s success. “I am very
blessed to have a dad who is a business consultant. People pay for what he has
to say, and I get it all for free. It’s a big factor that during my formative
years, he groomed me to become the entrepreneur that I am now.”
3 Business Tips from Jon Bantigue:
- Start small – Start a business with just a small kiosk. It’s easier to start a business using just a small capital instead of wasting years of saving for capital; when you could already be earning from your business during those years.
- Think big – Don’t settle with just one kiosk. You need to have a visionyou’re your business. Ask yourself, “How much do I want to earn 5 years from now?” It’s important to have a vision because it gives you just the right amount of motivation. Knowing that you have a business goal, the more you will work hard and achieve this goal.
- Act and learn fast – You need to learn fast to achieve your business goals. Welcome every mistake and learn from it.
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Pick and Squeeze:
Quenching the Thirst for a Successful Business
Calamansi is a fruit that all Filipinos are accustomed to –
as a cooking ingredient, for whitening, or to heal simple cough. This is also
the reason why, 13 years ago, Stella Cepeda and husband Randy, owners of Pick
and Squeeze, used this as the main ingredient for their product – calamansi
natural fruit concentrate.
 |
| Randy and Stella Cepeda, owners of Pick and Squeeze |
A Family Recipe
The recipe for making calamansi concentrate has been passed
on from one generation of Stella’s family to another. They decided to utilize
it, modified it and packaged them as give-away to friends, relatives and
officemates for Christmas. “People cannot believe it when we said we just made
them from our kitchen. They told us, ‘you should sell this! It could be a lucrative
business!’” shared Stella.
Considering their friends’ opinion, they started selling to
officemates in a per-order basis. They worked after office hours until 2 in the
morning. “We produced 50-60 bottles a night, only because iyon lang ang kaya naming
lutuin. The orders were greater than what we can produce. After a few months of
that lifestyle, we decided to go full-time with the business,” narrates Randy.
“Mas malaki pa ang kinikita namin sa side-line negosyo kaysa sa full-time job!
We wanted to sustain the growth of the business that’s why we got into it more
seriously. Believe me, when people knew we were full-time with the business na,
the orders just kept coming!” exclaimed Stella.
From Home and Beyond
They coordinated with the barangay captain and hired
additional unemployed people from their area in San Juan, when the volume of
orders became too much to handle. Right now, they employ 15 regular workers.
They started exporting their product in 2000. That’s when
their perception for growth also changed. “Before, we would count our sales per
bottle (750 ml). At some point, well-meaning resource persons advised us to
start thinking of growth. My father said, ‘Stop counting per bottles.
Negotiate, transact, and deal – with both your supplying and buying end – in
terms of cases (12 bottles per case),” shared Randy. “Kasama sa paglaki,
tinanggal namin ‘yung tingi or retail mentality,” he added. They now supply
400-500 cases per month to different grocery chains, Duty Free, UCC Coffee,
Max’s, Sugi Restaurant, and soon in Robinsons malls.
Finding Opportunity
Amidst Challenges
Calamansi, despite being common, is seasonal. This is one of
Stella and Randy’s challenges as entrepreneurs. They went to different markets
until they met calamansi suppliers from Mindoro. “Apparently, calamansi also
have peak and lean seasons! The prices are really unstable. This is all because
of the backward farming practices,” Stella sadly relates. “This is also the
reason why we could not equally compete with the global market. International
market requires farmers to comply with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) – a
practice that our farmers are not aware of,” she added. “These experiences
taught us to be flexible, and to plan and plot ahead of time. That particular
challenge forced us to look for sources from Zamboanga, Iloilo, Aklan, Davao
and Leyte,” says Randy.
Thirsty for More
Knowledge
After about 12 years in the business, Stella and Randy are
still open for more knowledge to grow the business. When they saw the newspaper
ad about the 10, 000 Women Business Training Program, Stella immediately
enrolled. University of Asia and the Pacific, through the help of IESE Business
School and Goldman Sachs, conducts this business training program. “The
training was a wealth of information! The professors were motivating. During
our class, I realized na madami pa pala kaming hindi nagagawa sa negosyo. It
took another person to look at this business professionally, especially since
we consider this as a backyard business,” narrates Stella.
The business training program opened their eyes to future
goals. They are planning to have more equipment to make more calamansi juice
concentrate. They also want to expand their product line by introducing new
flavor of concentrate in the market. Both of them believe they can survive more
years in the business, utilizing their learnings from experiences and the
business training.
Pick and Squeeze
Serramonta Enterprise
Stella and Randy Cepeda
28 Valenzuela St. San Juan, Metro Manila
Phone: (632) 723-7936
Fax: (632) 723-5851
Email: serramonte_ent@yahoo.com
Website: www.kalamansi.org
The Classic Roast: From Bazaars to Malls!
Lack of capital is not a hindrance in business. Polly Quizon
and Denise Owyong proved this statement to be true when they put up The Classic
Roast, a business that offers fresh roast ducks.
Starting Small
Polly and Denise started the
business with only P 10, 000 capital. They sold roast ducks and duck by
products in bazaars. “We’ve been joining weekend gourmet bazaars since March
2010 to test the market. It’s a good strategy to introduce a new product. It’s
really affordable. We just pay about P 7, 500 for booth rental, and about P 3,
000 for the flyers and all the other expenses,” shared Polly. But they did not
just join any bazaar; they identified their target market along with the
participants of bazaars. “Not everybody appreciates roast ducks. The more
sophisticated and those who travel are the ones who know about the product. We
targeted the bazaars that have this clientele,” says Denise.
They were happy to sell around 2-3
whole ducks at first. Due to their perseverance and hard work, a lot of
opportunities opened up to them. In one of the bazaars, they met people who
changed the way they do business. “Who would’ve thought that we would meet the
president of Rustan’s through a bazaar? We met her at a time na akala namin,
hanggang bazaars na lang kami,” Polly happily narrates. From this meeting, The
Classic Roast was able to set up a kiosk in the Rustan’s grocery – Rockwell
last April 2011.
From 3 whole ducks, they now able
sell 15-20 pieces per week. Through innovation and research, they also
introduced duck siopao. They sell 980 pieces of duck siopao a week, at a very
cheap price of P 45.
It was also in a bazaar where they learned about 10, 000
Women Business Training Program when a co-participant urged them to enroll. The
10, 000 Women Business Training Program conducts customized business education
for women all over the country.
Polly used her learnings from the
training in making their business grow. “Basic business principles ang
itinuturo sa training. These principles take a different meaning when you have
an existing business. You know when to apply the lessons, what you’re doing
wrong and what you have to correct,” shares Polly.
Love for Employees
One of the things Polly learned
from the training is taking good care of employees. “Part of our business’
growth is attributed to our employees. I learned the right way on how to
compensate and motivate our employees, and to be able to share with them our
plans and accomplishments,” she adds.
Denise and Polly learned not only
to take care of their staff, but to love them as well. In return, their
employees put in so much dedication and motivation into the business. “We see
everybody as partners – employees, suppliers, customers, landlords. We build
personal relationships with them because we are co-owners of this business,”
says Polly. That’s why they are also expecting their employees to build
personal relationships with their customers. “We always tell our people to know
the names of our clients. When they pass by, they greet the clients by their
names. It’s hard to remember names, but it’s a personal business. We are having
so much fun,” shares Denise.
The combination of their bazaar
experiences and additional knowledge from the training brought about growth for
the business. The Classic Roast already has two kiosks – one in Rustan’s
Rockwell and another in Rustan’s Katipunan. They are about to open a third
kiosk in Rustan’s Makati sometime this year.
The Classic Roast uses environment-friendly packaging like echo bag, paper bag and starch ware, instead of using plastic and Styrofoam. In this manner, they are helping our mother nature. “It
also looks nicer and different. This is a long-term decision.”
Aside from roast duck that you could buy frozen, quarter or half, you can also buy roast duck siopao, duck
cuapao, duck adobo flakes with kesong puti, roast duck sisig, roast duck with
rice and duck wrap from The Classic Roast.
Denise Owyong and Polly Quizon
The Classic Roast
Rustan’s Supermarket in Rockwell and Katipunan
0917 – 8226400 / 0917 – 5285838
Website: www.theclassicroast.com
Anabel Importa:
From "Call-girl" to FERNtrepreneur!
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| with FERN President, Mr. Tommanny Tan |
Duo Package
FERN-C is just one of the four products of FERN, Inc. Aside
from this, they also sell FERNSlim (the natural way to eat less), FERNCoffee
(coffee mixed with vitamins and minerals) and FERN i-flex (natural joint health
supplement). All of these are included in the Duo Package, where you can start
your own FERNegosyo for only P 4, 990. Aside from these products, the package
also contains:- FERNegosyo Kit Duo edition (FNKD) with a complete tool on how to do the FERNegosyo: FERN Business Manual, Quick-Start Guide, Entrepreneurship Magazine, FERN DVD, Training CD, Cash Card and FERN SIM card;
- Two FERN accounts for new members (which gives this package more edge compared to the other packages being offered by FERN).
FERN Personal Development Trainings: Changing the Beliefs Against Network Marketing Industry
For the coming years, Anabel is ready to bring FERNegosyo to the young generation of Metro Manila (Pasig, QC, Makati) and Quezon province where she was born. “Through hard work and by utilizing new technologies, I am confident that I will be able to make my dreams happen,” shares Anabel.
To be a distributor, text your whole name, address,
age, email and landline to 09158574603 / 09229886410 / 0949-1926004 and attend the free seminar at FERN Corporate
Center, Shaw Blvd. corner Escriva Drive,
Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
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Muñiz Shoes:
The Business Side of CARMINA VILLAROEL
“I ventured into this kind of business because I really love shoes, more than clothes and bags – shoes all the way!” This was Carmina Villaroel’s opening statement to us during the interview. As you may well know, Carmina is a popular celebrity and TV host. She was telling us how her business, Muñiz shoes, started out. “As an artist, I need a lot of shoes – shoes of different colors is always better. I like loud and unusual colors. That’s when I realized that it’s not easy to find these colors. It’s also hard to find comfy, stylish, yet affordable shoes. It was Zoren (legaspi, Carmina’s parnter) who pushed me to start this business, since it is my hobby (to collect shoes) and many are saying that in starting a business, it must be about what you really want to do. The first thing I did for the business was to think of a good and catchy business name. It was also Zoren who suggested for me to use my middle name, Muñiz.”
KN: How did you start with Muñiz Shoes and what are your goals for the business?
Carmina: I am really hands on (with Muñiz). I researched, asked a lot of people and called up suppliers. I don’t have a secretary at that time; it’s really me doing all the work. I just introduced myself to them, I interview them and they were willing enough to meet with me so I could see their products. I also looked for people who have the same goals as mine (or me), and are not focused on just the money. My goal is to re-introduce Filipinos to the global market as experts in shoe making. We were once known to be such, but for some reason, we are now left behind. If China can do it, so can we! I believe that we are really good. My business is still small now, but I will strive hard to make it grow to help and give livelihood to more people. This business is not just for me, but also for all of us. I find it sad that people need to go abroad to find better jobs.
KN: When it comes to designing the shoes, how do you do it? What are they made of?
Carmina: I am really hands on (with Muñiz). I researched, asked a lot of people and called up suppliers. I don’t have a secretary at that time; it’s really me doing all the work. I just introduced myself to them, I interview them and they were willing enough to meet with me so I could see their products. I also looked for people who have the same goals as mine (or me), and are not focused on just the money. My goal is to re-introduce Filipinos to the global market as experts in shoe making. We were once known to be such, but for some reason, we are now left behind. If China can do it, so can we! I believe that we are really good. My business is still small now, but I will strive hard to make it grow to help and give livelihood to more people. This business is not just for me, but also for all of us. I find it sad that people need to go abroad to find better jobs.
KN: When it comes to designing the shoes, how do you do it? What are they made of?
Carmina: They’re all locally made; all the materials used are local as well. I have a supplier from Marikina and Montalban for the shoes. As for the boxes, I have them made in C5 and Manila. I planned in a manner that I could help more people.
I design the shoes and my kids draw them because I don’t know how. But I color them. I want the designs to be unique because I’m very adventurous. Even if it’s just black leather, I still decide on the material and color. I still have the last say. I believe that even though the clothes are not that elegant, but the shoes look great, you will look fabulous already!
I want Muñiz Shoes to be known as comfortable, unique and stylish Filipino-made shoes. My goal is for this business to be known more to other countries so that many would admire the quality of a work of a Filipino.
KN: What characteristics should one possess to make his/her business successful?
Carmina: One should give value to continuous education for the business and product. Listen! Listen! Listen! Meaning, even if you’re the boss, you should listen to your co-workers, employees and consumers. Remember, if they are not here to support you, you won’t be here as well. I did not graduate from a business school or course, but I’m reading a lot of business books and they are very helpful to me. I ask a lot of questions, I’m not ashamed to ask. I don’t care what others would think because asking questions, for me, is a part of educating myself. I just want to be honest; if I really don’t know/understand something, then there’s nothing wrong with asking. Also, one should be hard working dedicated to the business.
Biz Tips from Carmina:
1. Work hand-in-hand with your supplier, because if their works are good and the consumers like their works, then your relationship would last longer. But when it comes to quality of work, don’t settle for “That should be fine/okay”. It’s either a yes or a no.
2. For those who have employees, give them designated assignments for a smoother workflow.
3. Advertising is also important. How would your market know that your product exist if you won’t let them know? Word-of-mouth advertising and Twitter helped my business a lot when it comes to advertising.
4. Love your job and everything that you’re doing. If you don’t want what you’re doing, you would make a lot of excuses; but if you like it, you would do everything to get the job done!
Gifts and Graces: A Blessing to Livelihood Programs
Product Development
Gifts and Graces would like to share that community producers “should not depend on charity because they have their capacity to create a prosperous life from their own efforts and by creating beautiful products with quality,” says Greg.
“Consumers would surely patronize us if we continue to make beautiful designs for products, but with quality,” says Greg. They would like the consumers to remember that “Gifts and Graces products are quality products, have beautiful overall design, created under Fair Trade principles and environment-friendly,” Greg added.
Disadvantaged groups benefit a lot because of the partnership built between G&G and NGOs and POs – they are given a chance to market their products to high-end retailers, thus giving them more income. They earn not because they depend on other people or organizations, but because they work hard and incorporate beauty and quality of products.
There’s probably a thousand of non government organizations (NGO) and people’s organizations (PO) already in the Philippines which provide the less fortunate with livelihood programs to not only sustain, but to enhance their way of living. But according to the survey conducted by Sandy Romualdez and Marge Barro, founders of Gifts and Graces, NGOs and POs need help in product development and access to markets for the products that they are able to produce through these livelihood programs. Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation, Inc. was founded last January 2006 as the answer to this need. “Gifts and Graces is a social enterprise which helps provide more income to the disadvantaged groups that are part of the livelihood programs of NGOs and POs,” explained Gregorie ‘Greg’ Perez, Executive Director of Gifts and Graces.
More NGOs and POs, More Blessings
Gifts and Graces have established partnerships with 20 groups as of the moment, including groups of street children, urban poor families, people who just got out of prison, etc. A group should have production or they should have products already so that we would be able to assist them with. Examples of products that we support now are bags made of newspaper and tarpaulin, key chains made of beautiful stones, etc.
“Consumers would surely patronize us if we continue to make beautiful designs for products, but with quality,” says Greg. They would like the consumers to remember that “Gifts and Graces products are quality products, have beautiful overall design, created under Fair Trade principles and environment-friendly,” Greg added.
Market Access
Gifts and Graces help market products of NGOs and POs to big retailers like SM, Kultura, Rustan’s, etc. Disadvantaged groups do not usually reach these stores because, first and foremost, they could not deliver the number of orders required. The secret that G&G does: proper delegation. For example, 4000 bags are needed to be delivered; G&G properly distributes this number of order to 4 groups. Second, the groups could not attend to all the legal requirements needed by the bigger markets, and that’s what Gifts and Graces is here for.
The most important thing here is, they don’t need to wait for all the products to be sold before they would actually be paid for. Because of G&G, community producers would be paid right away for the products that they create. They are provided with down payment before they actually create the products so they would have budget to buy the raw materials needed. The rest of the payment is given during the delivery of the finished products.
Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation, Inc.
Unit 131 Mile Long Building
G/F Amorsolo St., Makati City
G/F Amorsolo St., Makati City
Tel.: (02) 759-2525
Email: info@giftsandgraces.com or giftsandgraces@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.giftsandgraces.com
