Paradigm Shift Part 2: Late Bloomer Entrep? Nah.

It was my Ateneo HS Education that taught me about the mindset of "entrepreneurship" (though the term has not been born yet, I think, in 1996 - my freshman year); I simply understood it as "going into business". Fr. Caluag, then the HS principal, used to say that unemployment rate in our country will continue to rise yearly so why compete with people who graduate year after year for the limited available employment? He encouraged us to stir up the economy by starting our own business thus providing more employment for Filipinos.

I bought that idea. :) Though I always dreamed of being hired as a top executive of a multi-national company (wishful thinking :D), my desire to have my own business has always been there because of that. So I decided back then that I will surely enroll in a business course and pursue business after I graduate college until one discouraging incident. I remember vividly in my 3rd year high school, a classmate asked me what course will I take in college and I readily answered "Business Management." He quickly replied, "Bakit may business ba kayo? That made me think (and offended me too). Hindi naman kami mayaman, I know that fact. I was one of those priveleged to study in that prestigious school because of Tulong-Dunong and have always been a proud TD kid.

Good thing, I had REAL friends then who told me not to mind that discriminating comment.

Thus my dream of being a businessman someday continued (BUT only in my mind). I worked as a call center agent, sales officer, printshop supervisor... for ten years my dream was just inside my cabinet.

Fast forward - Year 2010. Exactly 10 years after I graduated from AHS. A friend (more like a brother) invited me to partner with him and another one to put up a company to offer printing, advertising, graphics and events management services.

We called it - Freestyle Media.

The company collapsed after barely a year in operation. I partnered again to put-up two lomi houses but we closed down after four - five months, one after another. After came the spa, the coffee shop, a lending business, manpower cooperative... but none came to beautiful reality.

I didn't give-up... And God made me realize in my lowest and cash-strapped juncture that I never sought God's will (seriously) when I did all those. No kneeling down either to wrestle with Him. Precisely the reason why they never worked out. 

All the while, I thought I am a late bloomer entrepreneur... nah. God is in control from the very beginning. It wasn't His will yet that time. And I discovered the secret He revealed long way ago in Matthew 6:33 "...but seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

Never Stop Learning

In the Age of Human Capital, one needs to keep on improving one's self. This is very evident in the workplace. Younger blood coming in with more skills and knowledge, people who refuse to "upgrade" lag behind. Eventually they see themselves being replaced by the new ones or worse being subject to the leadership of the "juniors". The "losers" try to retaliate by grapevine and the ending? The gossip-monger ruins his/her own reputation and eventually kicked-out of the organization.

Have you stopped learning? If you are humble enough to say you do, what's keeping you? You see, to say "Never Stop Learning" doesn't always mean you need to enroll and get a master's degree and Ph.D after... what I'm trying to say is you just need to learn something new to better adapt to the increasing demands of "today". It is not bad to aspire to be on top but the question is what are you doing to get there? And if it is a self-centered motivation, man you're a candidate for depression. That place on top is never enjoyable. I wonder why people 'kill' each other to be there.

Let me leave with you with this if you are taking the challenge NEVER to STOP LEARNING (that you may set your heart right on what you are about to embark)

A pastor in CCF talking to company, community and church leaders said, "Work to reach your full potential NOT the top position."

  

 

Paradigm Shift Part1: The Calling

People are normally proud. Self-dependent. I can do it alone.

That was my mindset before until I met Jesus in a deeper sense. I learned that it's Him who causes people to rise and fall - the only thing that matters is who do we try to please and conform with.

Since then my perspective in life changed. Paradigm Shift.

It's no longer about me but Him.

Not how much money earned but lives touched. Not talking about great things during class reunions but sharing the best things that may come after this life. Not the vehicle I may drive or ride but what causes this inner drive in me. Not about how many places reached but the ultimate destination of all. Not about pursuing a career but obeying the call. 

As Dr. Ravi Zacharias puts it "A calling owns you. A calling is greater than you are and you will take on the challenge even with lesser pay."

(to be continued...)

The Pouch Business

I’ve always been an entrepreneur by heart. Tried many businesses of sort to prove it. But none did well until this…

Challenging my family to venture into business, we first thought of making shoes!

We tried to put up a shoe business - a made-to-order one for ladies. But then after several months of trial, we just gave up. My mother who’s always been a partner to the business cannot make a good pair though having decades of experience as an uppermaker. My father has no idea either. We stopped there with some thousands down the drain – charged to experience.

Then we tried doing bags. At first it seemed so easy but then later we realize, it’s going to take loooooong before we can produce one of high quality to boast - for now, only bags good for “marketing” (yeah as in pamalengke)

The business concept was quite accidental (With God, none of course! :D) The spa which I use to manage needed a good packaging for our free mugs. That’s where our pouch making began. With cumbrella material costing 22 pesos per meter and 25-peso worth cord, we made our first drawstring pouch.

 We have since then played on with the concept and gave clients a wide idea on where to use the pouches – from jewelry cases, perfume bottle packaging, to wine holders and knapsack bags!

I wish we could still extract some more ideas from our little minds and serve our clients with more with less cost!

One Stop Shop, Ten Long Stops

For many businessmen, January is like June (Payment of Tuition). It is the month for renewal and payment of business permits. 

Last week I processed for the renewal of two companies in Antipolo City. The city hall used to be just beside the Old Church but it was transferred to the Ynares Center within the Kapitolyo - about a kilometer away. Good thing they provided some shuttles where applicants can ride for free. But of course it's on a first-come-first-served basis and as a general rule, we have to give way to the elderly, PWDs, preggys. But it's alright :) I am still thankful because I can still endure the long walk :)

AT THE KAPITOLYO COMPOUND
*City Government Offices temporarily occupy the dug-outs around the Ynares Ctr

A big tarp stands at the Processing Area facing the crowd of applicants that says BOSS (Business One Stop Shop). But the supposed ONE STOP SHOP system ended like a ONE LOOOOONG STOP. {But don't judge yet 'til I get to share the whole story :D } There were about 8 stations where you have to fall in line for every station.

Many people were already complaining because if you fail to bring one of the requirements you need to submit it first before you can actually the procede to the next. It took me about 2 hours per stage during the pre-assesment. I thought to myself I really have to bear with it because it's already two days before the due date and most of us were "crammers" (just like my college days - cramming with reports) until I saw one glitch --- It's taking sooooo long because two stations are using JUST ONE old typewriter to prepare a certain permit for everyone. Weeeew!     

But with all due fairness to the BPLO, they set up water stations in the area, with free coffee; gave away candies and biscuits for hungry applicants. And to top that, NO NOON BREAK. And as I have observed, the staff didn't have substitutes - they continue to accommodate and process paper with just the biscuits available. Wow! That's commitment!

And not only that, a lot of applicants were already losing their patience because of the long procedure but I never saw any of the BPLO staff lose theirs! (even asking for apologies from time to time) Most of the staff were even joking and making people laugh and sharing their joyous spirit with everybody. What can I say? I am so so impressed! Perhaps many people were wondering, from where are they getting this high spirit under an ocean of pressure? :D

Finally got the discounted assessed fee, and ready to pay it the Cashier just to find out there's two more stations with one station after paying! Whoa! But I will not be able to finish if I focus on this irritating glitch besides I am already at the last two stations, patiently waited until the name of our company was called and procede.  

At the very last station where I'm suppose to get our claim stub for the mayor's permit, the old lady who's evaluating my final requirements had to stop to drink her maintenance medicine. She was as jolly as the other staff and was candid enough to admit that she has not taken her lunch yet but she had to drink her medicine. I suddenly felt a knock from up above to do a random act of kindness. After I got my stub, I bought two sandwiches for her and the other senior lady beside her. I wish I has enough budget to treat them all for a job well done. Their patience is something worth rewarding  :)

I've been applying and renewing business permits in Antipolo City for the past four years and I NEVER encountered anyone asking for "under-the-table" for quicker processing. Something to be proud of - Antipoleños!   

The Comeback

It's been almost two years since my last blog. So many things happened; some were good, some weren't. Beginnings and endings. But one thing is for sure, all those things (both the "ups" and the "downs") served their purpose.

Dreams were laid down and made to reality. (And more dreams to look forward to) Simple visions, persistent prayers, one step at a time.

God is simply in the business of performing MIRACLES. When He closed a door almost two years ago, a lot of doors (take note: not just windows) of opportunities sprouted. And I can proudly say, I did not grab them. God handed them to me, one by one.

I prayed to be released in a bondage of a wrong decision in business and I suffered for a couple of years but that didn't stop the STRIVING ENTREPRENEUR in me. God finally answered my prayer and left with me nothing but Him. He sustained me until He finally revealed His wondrous plan.

An ongoing BAG and POUCH business at home - with my family as first business partners and co-workers. :)

Ostrich Bag

Perfume Pouches

A part-time job that is not really a job AT ALL but a MINISTRY God has entrusted me with.

And God-willing (praying really hard about this) - a training firm that aims to inspire people to ASPIRE for the "One Thing" that really matters. Inspired by INSPIRE! :)

As the saying goes, "Take care of God's business and He will take care of yours."

Been A While

It's been a while... a loooooooong while.

I shall write again, very soon! Missed it!