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I found two very engaging book that tells stories of entrepreneurial
greatness. One is ENTREPRENEURSHIP: creating, building and growing
your business published by Center for Small, Entrepreneurs, Inc. One
such story is that of Rommel Juan and the true-Filipino fast food
Binalot. “Binalot started in 1996 as a micro enterprise. It was
conceptualized by Rommel and his brothers who were both inspired by
childhood memories of “binalot,” food wrapped in banana leaves
prepared by their mother. Their partners approved the concept and
with a capital of P10,000.00, they started the business. They began
with a guerrilla-style operation. They called their friends and
offices in Makati, offered their products and delivered the orders.
In each delivery, a survey form always came with the product. The
brothers gave importance to the comments of their clients and
seriously considered their suggestions.
“On their first
day, they had three helpers: a purchaser/rider, a crewmember and one
who did the wrapping. On the second day, they needed to hire another
two to help them. They initially offered one menu only adobo with
rice and sidings. Each owner-member was given the responsibility to
sell seven orders everyday. If a partner does not reach his quota,
he would be the one to buy the food he was not able to sell. The
initial operation gavethem P980.00 sales a day. They rented a space
in the condominium theywere staying and turned it into a production
area.
“After two weeks, their menu included Pinoy
meals such as adobo, tocino, longanisa, tapa and bistek with rice
and sidings. The guerrilla operation lasted for two months with the
Citibank employees and friends as their primary clients. During
those times, nobody knew where they were because customers placed
their orders through the phone. There were times when they needed to
hang the phone because they could not accommodate all the orders.
After two months, they opened a delivery outlet
in Jupiter Street and a
take-out store in Ayala.”
From a micro enterprise, Binalot had graduated
into a medium enterprise with company owned outlets and franchises
employing more than a 100 employees in Metro Manila and neighboring
provinces. Rommel says, “Each new conquest adds up to my
confidence. I am thankful for the mistakes because I learned from
them. A decision done quickly is better than a good decision done
slowly.”
Another inspiring story is about the bags of
Pinky Sebastian. “Pinky likes to window-shop and one of the
favorite things that she regularly shop-hunts is bags. Since she
couldn’t always find the bag she liked, an idea to create her own
sparkled. An interior designer by profession, art became a second
nature to her. Before responding to her entrepreneurial calling, she
worked in a preschool as an art teacher at an upscale subdivision.
She spent several years there until she decided to focus on starting
her own business.
“At first, her customers were her friends. She
was then happy to simply recoup her initial investment of P500.
Later a friend believed in the potential of her bags and decided to
do the marketing for her. After so
many designs and samples, the first order came from Manila COD; then
Landmark, Rustan’s, Robinson’s and Gaissano.
She also tried other unique products like small
pillows with religious and inspirational prints. When Heartstrings
launched bags made of corduroy and denims, it became so popular
among the young generation that it brought back the bag as the
flagship product of her company. From then on, Heart-strings because
a popular brand for quality cloth bags crafted with hip designs.
Presently, she has more than 60 outlets
nationwide and several stand alone boutiques.”
Pinky says, “do not be overly concerned with
what you can always get but be sensitive always to what you can
possibly give. To her customers, she is
generous by giving the best quality at the friendliest price. With
employees and suppliers, she practices the best possible means to
share the good life because she consider them her partners and
stakeholders in her company.
Next column, let’s get more inspired by
successful and aspiring entrepreneurs. Keep your Christmas lights
on.
innovationcamp@yahoo.com;
www.learningandinnovation.com
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