6 Reasons Why Choose a Personal Loan for Quick Business Cash

Gosh, you suddenly realized you're short of cash.   The decades-old print machine at your workshop broke down and requires immediate replacement.  Or, you got a business milestone forthcoming worthy of some grand celebration. Worst, you bumped into an emergency at home. 

These familiar scenes may happen at some point to everyone. Admit it, we all have our share of downtime moments, right? And when that happens, it feels like you just want to knock your entire head off for some fast resolve.  

Personal loan as one viable option for cash problems
Photo courtesy of luxstorm via Pixabay

A possible quick, turn-to solution is the Personal Loan which you could access upon application from banks.  Not only for salaried employees, what's best about it is that several banks make personal loans available also to self-employed individuals like entrepreneurs and private professional practitioners, so long as you can show proof of your repayment capability.  Find out more about a personal loan features and why it could be your best bet to stir out from a temporary money crunch you absolutely don't want to get trapped with.  

1. Multi-purpose  

As its name implies, a personal loan is allowed for various purposes to supplement the borrower's funding needs. These could range from personal necessities or indulgences, business requirements, and to even debt consolidation when you're bugged with several credit accounts. That's how friendly it is! 

2. Non-collateral   

A personal loan does not require any asset from the borrower to serve as loan collateral or guarantee.  It may apply certain fees and charges at minimal amount though, depending on the bank, such as processing fees, late payment charges, documentary stamps, etc.   

3. Loan amount options  

Loanable amounts vary among banks but the common range falls from as little as Php 30K to a hefty 2M, which is made payable in fixed, equal monthly installments. 

4. Low interest rates

Banks charge low monthly add-on interest rates for personal loans at a little more than 1%.  That translates to affordable monthly cash pay-outs for you. 

5. Flexible terms of payment 

The borrower can choose from short- to medium-term repayment schedules commonly set at 12, 18, 24 to 36 months. 

6. Fast and easy

Applying for a personal loan is easy nowadays with available online facilities of some banks.  Once you are able to comply with all documentary requirements, your loan approval could come in just 1-2 weeks. 

When availing of a personal loan, check around at banks first before locking yourself in with a loan contract.  Compare rates and loan packages, then decide which one best suits your financial need. 

On the same note, when you're faced with life's urgent and pressing challenges such as sudden liquidity bottlenecks, the first step to bailing out is knowing and generating your solution options to turn to.  As what optimists say, for every problem there's always a solution! 

Where to Find Help on Product Design for Your Business

After finally breaking through on the big idea for your business, what comes next you may ask.  At this time, you definitely can't wait to see a physical mock-up of your product cut out straight from your mind just the way how you envisioned it to be.  

Get available help on product design. 
Photo courtesy of Margarita Morales via Pixabay

Perhaps unless you're a born craftsman, this comes as no huge challenge. But to those who would rather spend long hours on solving business problems, brainstorming on the next ad campaign or servicing clients' needs than tinkering with their own hands, product design may surface as one monstrous task.  But no room for worries now since there are several resource groups available to provide assistance when it comes to designing your product.  

1.  Product Design and Development Center of the Philippines (PDDCP)  

Formerly known as the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP), PDDCP serves as a technical arm of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).  It is the key government agency tasked with the mandate of creating and developing designs for Philippine products and services.  

PDDCP especially caters to small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) along with private/public groups and design enthusiasts. Aside from attending to SMEs' product design and development requirements, it also offers a diverse mix of design-related services that includes seminars and workshops, technical consultation, graphics label design, merchandise development, raw materials research and library publications, among others.      

2. Local neighborhood and community craftsmen

You may not look that far for product design help since it may actually just be right at your reach nearby.  There are some enterprises whose workshops or offices operate at the barangay level.  

So come on, why not ask around your friends and stroll around your village neighborhood. Or perhaps, tap also your fellow SMEs. For sewn products, do you remember si Ate Linda mananahi, or perhaps, si Kuya Vic karpintero for putting together some wood crafts? It's not a remote possibility that you may even come across women paper or handicraft weavers just a few blocks away from your home.   

Sometimes, prominent communities or towns come as top-of-mind for specific industries or skills set. For instance, Marikina is well-known for its highly skilled shoe- and leather product-makers.  There's also Paete, Laguna famous for its finely chiseled wood carvings. If you're really keen on polishing your product design, you may contact local government units (LGUs) for referrals on reliable community craftsmen. 

3. NGOs, Cooperatives, & Foundations  

There are also organized groups of marginalized sectors formally registered as NGOs, cooperatives or foundations that offer product design services.  While they may aid you on your product requirements, you also help give back to the less fortunate.  Among the more popular of these groups is Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, which helps improve lives of Persons With Disability (PWD) through training and livelihood employment.  

4.  Private Entities

Finally if you're not really constrained on budget, you may try to search for the rightful private company or freelancer with skills specialty on industrial design to help you with your product design needs. For one, there is the National Council of Industrial Designers of the Philippines (NCIDP) that could jumpstart your research.  

Whoever you resort or end up with for your product design needs, it is just helpful to bear in mind that your finished output should be one that you're happiest and most satisfied with. It may be easy to fall prey into complacency and mediocrity by just settling with "pwede na" or "okay na 'yan".  Remember at the end of the day, your product showcase will serve as best frontliner of your business, and at most, of yourself. 

DTI Business Registration at SM Marikina Business Center

Got your place near around SM Marikina?  Lucky you if you plan to register your single proprietorship business since you’re just a stone's throw away from the SM Business Center.   Actually, DTI SM Marikina happens to be another satellite office aside from DTI Marikina City Hall  focusing on business name registration service.   

DTI Business Name Registration offered at SM Marikina Business Center.
Photo courtesy of Go Entrepinay

If you're not much particular about paying for little, extra fees in exchange for the added convenience and faster processing, you'll surely opt to go here rather than travel yourself all the way to DTI Makati Head Office.  Located at the basement floor, servicing is also done during mall hours but you'll definitely come out with your completed and legit Business Name Certificate within just a day.  However before going there point-blank, below is a run-down of fees which you may want to prepare for to ensure your trip ends worthwhile. 

1. Actual Registration Fees, G-Cash Payment and Documentary Stamps Fees.  While doc stamps cost about Php 15.0, this amount depends on your desired area business coverage as follows: 

> Barangay - Php 200 + 20

> City - Php 500 + 20

> Regional - Php 1000 + 40

> National - Php 2000 + 60 

2. Two Application Forms at Php 10.0@

3. Business Name Certificate Print-out of Php 50.0

Business name registration has never become as easy as now.  Gone were the days when you still need to travel lengthy distances to and fall into long lines at pertinent government agencies for public services. Let government satellite offices come handy for you in fulfilling your dream enterprise.  No more excuses, mga sis (LOL)...!

DTI Marikina Help Desk at Marikina City Hall

                                                  

For Marikina business-owners, you may be delighted to know that DTI has set up its Help Desk at the Trade and Industry Office of Marikina City Hall.  Located at the ground floor, it may be found across the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO). From business name registration to a whole lot of other business concerns, why not drop by and check it out first for your sure convenience before heading to DTI Head Office in Makati. 

DTI Help Desk in Marikina City Hall
Photo courtesy of Go Entrepinay   

The clerk who assisted me when I chanced upon it last time was generous enough to give me valuable DTI contact information below.  Hope you will find them helpful! 

DTI Hotlines:

DTI Consumer Complaints Desk : 570-3716

DTI Marikina :  646-2360 to 69 local 200

Nearby DTI Regional Offices: 

1.) DTI Mandaluyong;  3/F, Lux Center Bldg., EDSA, Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City (front SM Megamall).  Office Hours:  8am - 5pm, Mon-Fri

2) DTI Rizal: 4/F, Fair Trade Commercial Center, Km. 23, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Cainta, Rizal

3) DTI Rizal:  2/F Altica Arcade., Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City, Circumferential Road (near Rotonda and beside Max Restaurant) 

4) DTI Cubao:  3/F, Ali Mall, Cubao

5) SM Marikina:  Basement, Business Center.  Office Hours: 10am-5pm, Mon-Sat

Seafood Events Venue at Dampa sa Libis

At some point, you may be in search for a food events venue to hold your small business occasion, client meet-ups or even simply, your last dining stop to cap a busy day.   If you happen to be within the heart of Metro Manila, particularly in closely-woven areas of Taguig-Makati-Ortigas commercial business districts, finding a venue seems not to be a problem at all with numerous restaurants found in the place.  But getting the right one with an extraordinary treat could be quite a task.  

For an urban location where meat can be the usual and easy option, seafood dining may prove to be somewhat special. Though bits and pieces of seafood recipes may be traced at mainstream restos, still a completely authentic seafood dining could be a rare catch. When you feel for this craving, why not try Dampa sa Libis? 

Fresh seafood dining experience at Dampa sa Libis 
Photo courtesy of Go Entrepinay     

Dampa sa Libis simply just have almost the whole crustacean family right in its in-house wet market.  It boasts of the widest array of seafood.  If you love shelled creatures that quickly open, there are mussels, oysters, scallops and clams to choose from.  But if you’re open for some time cracking them up before feasting on your meal, the prawns, shrimps, crabs and lobsters may just be right for you. And of course, don't forget your staple seafood like fish and squid.  And what’s more? You’ve got all these seafood plus a choice of your favorite recipe.  Whether plain boiled, grilled, stuffed, buttered or just any way you want it cooked, the place can do it for you. 

Take time to explore Dampa sa Libis and find out for yourself why this specialty seafood events place is a crowd favorite, given its favorable central location to business districts in the metro.