Unemployed Entrepreneur

I am unemployed. My husband is unemployed.  And we enjoy the unemployed life.

We are NOT trying to look for a good paying job.  It was a decision we both made to stay unemployed, a couple of months before we tied the knot.  Ron has been grueling night hours at the BPO industry taking calls shift after shift.  After two visits to the hospital, I knew for a fact that life at the call center will take a toll on him. As for me, I came in terms with myself, accepting that I may be an Engineer, licensed at that, but I am not going to employ forever.  The corporate life offer fame, awards and opportunities in exchange for stress and poor health. So I finally took my retirement at age 29. I'd rather use my time and energy in more important things: my family and my future.

So how do we get by?

RAJI MART STORY
After I said goodbye to my career in Manila Water, I have built my first business venture.  This was not at all part of MY plan.  But it was God's way of laying his plans for me.  At the time when I was looking for work at my hometown, opportunity struck my family.  A big grocery is about to close and it was offered to my mother.  She is interested but she does not have the time.  I was the only bum kid at the household, so who else is given the responsibility but me.  Without any knowledge in business, I took the challenge. What I learned in my corporate life, I taught to my people.  We opened the grocery with it half full.  Money was scarce, as I was given a very limited budget.  But I told myself, one day, I will have my grocery full and I could leave it running with little supervision. Months later,  Raji Mart is one big key market player.

JCE STORY
Stabilizing Raji Mart, I entered Coke.  Half a year later, I hang up the red shirt. Leaving Coke was a decision, so easy for me to make.  I think, the Lord allowed the opportunity for me to realize that being in the manufacturing setting, or being employed for that matter is not His plan.  I was always tired.  I haven't gone to vacations.  I work 6 days a week.  I spend less time with my family.  Life sucks then.

After I left, I was bumming again.  Raji Mart became a routine. Looking for another venture and joining the Japanese Cake craze was the answer.   It was intended to help with Raji Mart's rent but it became full blast as we took advantage of the public's positive reception and put them in key locations. I thought, why not give the sole Jap Cake distributor some competition.  We made a hit.  Now we operate in 8 locations in Bacolod and Talisay and 3 more locations in Iloilo.  And we are not stopping from expanding.

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Opportunities are many.  It is up to us to put our fingers into them and get a hold of them.  Struggles will be everywhere and it will hit you anytime.  But it is up to us if we want to saddle up and hold them with a tight rope.  Fear of failure will never go away.  But with the Lord's grace, a little risk, a prayer and loads of perseverance, we will reach our gold mine.

Being an Entrepreneur is more than a plan, or a choice.  IT is about letting God be your employer, because only He can make you one.

Location, Location, Location

You may find this post as a cliché. But the right location is one factor you must consider in putting up your business for it to be successful.

IF you have a site found, equip yourself with these areas of concern.

Foot Traffic. How much passersby go to that site? Passersby, are potential customers. If a population frequents your site, they would be your customers in the future.

Competition. Research on the big and small players in your area. What is the advantage of your location? Is the site overpopulated with the same business as you wanted? It also helps if you are the only business in the area catering to such need. You could actually monopolize the market.

Accessibility to Transportation. Is there a terminal nearby for customers? Does the public transport go by your site? You wouldn't want your customers hire a taxi or a tricycle just to go to your store just to get what they need. And most of all, customers don't want to haul their bought goods from your place to the nearest street where there is public transport. You want your business to be convenient as possible to your customers.

Demography. Is your site located in a posh subdivision? In a public market? A mall or a school? Knowing these helps you understand the type of customers you will have, likewise their purchasing power.

Location plays big in a business especially for those who are still starting. Being in the right place gives you an edge. Get seen with just being there in the best location.

Mom's Birthday Party

This year, with mom turning 55, it was a big birthday celebration.  Unlike prior years where mom would only sleep all day, treating herself with rest and then I would drag everybody to the spa for a more relaxing treat, this year, mom celebrated with his people of which the very sole reason of the expansion of her business. They have decided to hold the Christmas party of JHT Marketing on Mom's birthday for a double celebration.

So out are the food, the gifts and the karaoke.  Out are my brothers who played hosts to the party.  And out were the kiddie games played by kids at heart adults.  It was a fun and will be a remembered celebration.