It seems Kapuso star Sheryl Cruz has her hands definitely full.  Aside from starring in GMA-7's current teledrama, Buena Familia, she has gotten also a paper weaving business to keep herself busy with.  Started back in 2012, Sheryl landed into this business when she bumped one time into paper-woven shopping bags sold on display and bought them for Christmas gifts to friends. Eventually, she was smitten with the idea of learning the craft and the passion of designing her own pieces. 

Aside from style, she's also at the helm of ensuring durability for her products through the use of bag lining and double lamination to keep the paper-based bags from being wet. From brand tags down to other bag materials and accessories, Sheryl appears to be pretty much hands-on with selection and production activities, too. 

      Photo courtesy of Rachel Biel via Flickr Creative Commons

Photo courtesy of Rachel Biel via Flickr Creative Commons
Woven bag samples from recycled paper present noble causes and strong marketability. 

Named as Paper For Now, her business presently produces bags and wallets made from recycled newspapers that are woven intricately with bare hands of women workers, while lending to the noble cause of preserving the environment.  As Sheryl finds her recycled- paper bag business a way of expressing her art, she's also happy with providing jobs to women, especially mothers, through it.  

And while having the business operations lean and simple, her bags have now found their way to retail outlets like Kultura and Cash & Carry, and to trade exhibit, Manila FAME, in 2012. With combined passion and advocacy as driving forces for her business, Paper For Now certainly weaves a bright picture ahead. Hats off to you, Ms. Sheryl Cruz!

The internet has certainly gone mainstream to become part of everyone's life nowadays. Thus for enterprises, an online business presence has emerged as one necessity to thrive in today's digitally-driven consumer world. However, if you're an entrepinay start-up or wannabe whose main concern is to put up your business from the grounds up and turn it running, producing a website may sound economically not viable to you. 

Online presence is one of today's business necessity. 
Photo courtesy of geralt via Pixabay

But actually, there are practical ways to initially build online presence for your business and make your products or company known to customers without spending much. With internet access found nearby at neighborhood internet shops and FREE Wi-Fi provided at malls and other public places, even small and medium enterprises (SMEs) may find the tips below as worthwhile considering.    

1.  Post At Buy & Sell Sites

An excellent starting ground for enterprising internet beginners are buy and sell sites which could be best bets for sales leads since customers with intention to buy but seek numerous options for online shopping essentially turn first to these sites. No complex or specialized computer skills are required as site navigation is all aided and made on queue; you just need to be more adventurous with buttons to click later so as to take advantage of the site's offerings and features. Best of all, registration is FREE. You need though to post interesting photos and descriptions of products you're selling to stand out from other sellers.

Since buy and sell sites are many, you may need to consider the traffic, ease of navigation, and target market the site caters to when deciding to register.  For instance in the Philippines, you may choose to look at top buy & sell sites before exploring elsewhere.  

2.  Register At Company Directory Listings

You may also achieve online presence via company directory listing sites.  Although minimal information like company name, contact number, office address and business nature may be published about you by these sites, there are still chances you may appear at search results and get to be contacted by potential customers.  

Directory listing sites may be general or specific for a particular group, industry or association.  If you're a wedding supplier, you may also find helpful registering at popular wedding websites as these already have targeted customers and the chance to connect with your rightful market looks definitely favorable. 

3.  Work With Social Media

Another fast way to build web presence is via social networking. Of course, you wouldn't want to miss on social media which is favored by almost the entire internet population, especially Pinoys. Try creating your fan page at Facebook, customizing your LinkedIn public page or posting photos at Instagram.  The beauty of these social websites is the faster, if not immediate, feedback you derive as you continue on with their use. You get to learn easily how many you've gotten for Likes from Facebook, Connections from LinkedIn, Followers from Instagram, etc.

4.  Appear at Video Sites 

You may find acting or appearing before a camera enjoyable.  So go ahead, create your own video and deposit it at video upload sites.  Try coming up with helpful instructional videos which viewers will find useful such as Step-by-Step Guide or How-To solutions with your product so as to make them not appear a hard sell.

5.  Write Your Way to Blog  

If you're fond of writing or have a knack for it, why not put this into productive use via a blog?  You could create your original write-ups or cite other articles that will interest your market and post them at the blog section of your website or exclusive-for-blog sites, if you don’t have a website yet. If readers like your content and find it valuable, they’ll keep returning to your blog and eventually, end up buying your products later.

As an entrepreneur, the internet is one potent tool to grow your business.  There are several ways to build your online business presence beyond the ultimate company website which usually requires large marketing budget.  So go ahead and explore how an online presence can help you reach out to customers, grab interest, achieve sales and build loyalty later on.    

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! 

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. 

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)...!

                                                  

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

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.

Excited ka na bang mag-sarili? Going full-time with your own business definitely presents itself as  a very attractive option---no time ins and outs, no bossy bosses, no deadlines, etc.  Best of all, there is unlimited potential to earn at your own pace. But remember, being head-in-charge is no easy task!  It requires taking on the steering wheel and leading the enterprise to its course. 

Consider safety nets before plunging into entrepreneurship.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash via Pixabay

And so before getting to be your own boss, consider some tips below before quitting job to start your own business. These safety nets could buffer up the tough ride during the enterprise's birth stage and growth pains. 

1. Read up & Learn.  
Nothing beats the student who studied his lessons. Similarly, you're most prepared if you've mastered every in and out of your business. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen overnight when you open shop since you're now dealing with reality where everything is not controlled.  

Hence while still at your job with funds to afford learning opportunities, don't hesitate to attend seminars and workshops which would narrow the knowledge gap between you and the industry you plan to join.  Learn not only business knowledge but more importantly, the actual How-To stuffs since you wouldn't want to be laughed around at by your employees right?  Being the boss requires not only acting the part, but also doing the part.

2. Socialize & Network.  
Come on and move around to meet up with industry gurus, major players, main customers and lead suppliers.  First-time entrepreneurs are practically industry outsiders and so getting actual inside information about the business, such as secrets of the trade which are learned through time, can be most valuable and helpful.  

There are many other venues that offer chances for networking such as forum participation via internet, shopping at "tiangges", attending trade fairs/exhibits, joining clubs/associations, etc.  Knowing how to run a business entails not only the technical knowledge but also the market dynamics which is basically made of and made up by people interactions.  

3. Polish the Business Plan.  
At the least, the marketing plan lays down the road map for your enterprise. Hence, it's vital to have one before taking the big leap out from the corporate world. With wealth of information from the internet, various business plan templates are easily downloadable.  You may even access one easily by requesting assistance from office colleagues in Marketing and Business Planning. Regardless the format or template, the business plan should virtually contain 3 essential business concerns simplified into layman's terms:  Where are we? What do we want? How do we get there?

4. Beef up Savings.  
Admit it, everything takes time to be hatched. And so before you see your enterprise actually earning already,  there will be some time first when you will have minimal, or even zero sales at all!  From practical experience, a business' average gestation period ranges from 2 to 3 years before really getting into full earning mode.  Hence, smart entrepreneur wannabes think it's wise to beef up their savings account before actually leaving their jobs. 

5. Invest in Office Equipment.  
You would obviously require office equipment to become operational.   Business machine essentials that should top your list include a computer set, printer and telephone. These three machines could suffice for necessary word and spreadsheet processing involved in basic business documents, transmitting correspondences and contacting potential clients and suppliers.

6. Eye your Workspace.  
Even before resigning, head on to plan your work location.  Whether home-based or renting space, it is a must that you have your own place where you could focus on working with your daily tasks and activities.   Wherever it may be, your work station should provide reasonable comfort, light, ventilation and space to move around with.  An environment conducive for thinking and working will be most wanted too.

7. Develop Product Samples/Mock-ups.  
Don't wait up until your first day as a self-employed before you get to see what your products or services consist of.  Find help from your nearby carpenter neighbor, local market craftsman, or even "kumare mananahi" on product design and for developing samples of how you envision your product should be.  Remember that initial mock-ups wouldn't come out perfect right away and so again, time is critical. 

8. Headstart with Business Registration.   
As everyone knows in the Philippines, going through government services take up some time.  As much as possible, start early with the paper works and legwork of registering your business so that official documents like business certificates and receipts are ready once customers require from you and sales start coming in.

9.  Produce Contact Flyers, etc.  
Marketing yourself and the business comes right next once you finished up planning. Again, it is most ideal that everything is up and running already once you take hold of your business with all waiting time eliminated.  Producing and distributing even just the basic contact cards, flyers or brochures could help spread the word around and get your business known to potential clients already.  Hence once you decide to leave the office, you have already built your client pool.

10. Get Online Presence.  
Another basic essential marketing task is to get your business online.  Nowadays that everyone has gone hooked up with Tweeter, FB and other social media applications, it is vital to be present at those consumer touchpoints.  As marketing principle dictates that you need to be present where your customer is present, start tinkering now with the computer to discover the many ways how the world wide web could help you in marketing your business. 

Even local celebrities find it wise to start up and invest in their own enterprise! Here, we take a peek at our Celebrity Entrepinay Feature Kim Chiu and her venture into ready-to-wear (RTW) wedding gowns business.  

Bride For Rent star Kim Chiu also with her bridal gown shop, Adorata Weddings+.
Photo courtesy of Tilly Holland via Flickr Creative Commons. 

Called Adorata Weddings+, the bridal gowns shop is a partnership with Manila's leading fashion designers namely Pepsi Herrera and Edwin Tan. What the boutique definitely promises to deliver are convenience and affordability vs. traditional made-to-orders (MTOs) when shopping for the ultimate wedding gown of one's choice. Aside from bridal clothing, it also offers tuxedo wear for the male counterpart. 

Do you have the making of a successful entrepreneur? From livelihood seminars, trade fairs, government consultancy up to personal networking, you may have done probably everything already just to make sure you start off right with your dream enterprise. 

Check traits to get a fit with entrepreneurship.  
Photo courtesy of Unsplash via Pixabay

But before plunging into the entrepreneurship pool, try to inventorize yourself and check if you possess any, some, or all of what may be considered as major traits of successful entrepreneurs. Becoming an entrepreneur could be a life-turning event and so there's no harm from taking a real, hard pause to find out what makes a successful one.

1.  Smart Self-starter  
Undoubtedly, a genuine entrepreneur is someone who takes action without being told to do so. There is initiative down behind those folded sleeves. You may act with urgency but without any bit being impulsive as you move only after thinking out what the expected results will be. Part of being a self-starter is also not being afraid to innovate by introducing a new way of thinking that may result into a new product or service which can address a gap in consumer demand.  Thinking out-of-the-box also requires that you're a risk-taker.  Surely, the act of innovating requires stepping out from the comfort zone which definitely faces opposition from many.   

2.  Resourceful Problem-solver
An entrepreneur's life will be filled with countless concerns and hurdles which shall certainly call for decision-making efforts.  On these occasions, what is required is a strong mental aptitude that is inclined towards sorting out and spotting relevant issues, drawing up feasible options, and then finally deciding on the best course of action given all information presented before you. The process also calls for resourcefulness to be able to recognize all available options while drawing up possible action plans to take.  At the end of the day, the successful entrepreneur must reach a decision that is both tactical at the moment but strategic for the long term.

3.  Rock Resilient
A strong mental aptitude must be matched by inner resiliency that will allow you to cross barriers through time.  A successful entrepreneur doesn't stop at setbacks but only views them as part of the journey towards business goals.  Classic brands that endured the test of time such as the likes of Coke and Levis have been built definitely with the counting of decades, and not just merely with months and years.  So sis, work it!      

4.  Charismatic Leader  
An enterprise virtually would require direction and this has to emanate ultimately from the owner. Hence, you also need to be a strong communicator who is able to clearly and logically articulate thoughts while striving to establish a credible presence. But equally important at the same time, you have to be able to exude genuine charm to evoke likability from employees. Once the right mix between credibility and likability is achieved, people can be convinced and led, and thereby, get results done.

5. Financially Prudent 
A successful entrepreneur is someone who exercises wise spending behavior. You should recognize and value the concept of savings which entails sacrificing the present in exchange for future consumption. However, you must stray from being stingy for you likewise see current generous investment as an instrumental tool to build greater earnings in the future.