From academe or corporate world, turning into an entrepreneur comes as a new, exciting phase in your life. You no longer heed directions from others, but now you stir your own course. To feel and look the part, you also need to dress for the role!  

Build up your wardrobe with essential pieces. 
Photo courtesy of markusspiske via Pixabay

And so from fashion style magazines to career counseling experts scanned through, below are wardrobe essentials to support your many demanding tasks from leisure, casual, corporate to formal outings. You can build upon this cool wardrobe ensemble later with other mix n' match pieces to create your own fashion statement. It also permits Entrepinays to cope easily with unpredictable weather changes typical of any tropical country as the Philippines. But as it is, you're well on your way by just having them in your closet as you come out to meet your new world!  

1. Standard White Shirt.  With its sleek lines, this piece matches excellently with anything while offering a fresh, professional look that's handy in fostering a favorable client meet-up experience. The classic collared, full-sleeve style is a top favorite, but a more detailed front design may work best with petites.                                                                                                                                

2. Striped Tee.  A hardworking top which makes any matching garment look stylish overall. Pair any striped tee with your pants, skirt or preferred additional layering top and you’ll never come out lousy.

3.  Classic Black Pants.  With its polished look, black trousers can give you that confident appeal while feeling comfortably at the same time. With the straight-cut that never goes out of style, you could vary the look by partnering it with a pretty blouse for a visit at the client’s office or a basic t-shirt on a relaxed weekend.                                     

4.  White T-shirt.  No other closet staple comes to as basic as the white tee. It just goes perfect with anything, whether in plain or prints.     

              

5.  Well-cut Jacket/Blazer. This versatile piece answers all your matching needs.  From pulling off a formal corporate presentation, cozying up on a not so late but cold dinner night, and up-styling for late afternoon cocktails.  Neither too heavy nor too light, the adaptable blazer or jacket just suits up with anything.        

6.  Timeless Pumps.  No doubt, heels are still the standard footwear choice in the office. Pumps in neutral shades can be a worthy investment which you could wear anywhere without going out of style for a long time.                                                                                                                                                                                                   
7. Pencil Skirt. This is your best bet if you want a feminine vibe but makes you look professional at the same time. Go with a cut that flatters the curves but feels comfortable to wear that's good for a whole-day work.                                                                                                                        

8.  Cardigan.A neat simple cardigan can also just pair with any lower piece while giving the added feminine touch to your look. It also serves great for warming up on cold days but without the heaviness of a stuffy blazer.

9.  Little Black Dress.  Your wardrobe won’t be complete without that little black dress (LBD) which is a must-have for working women.  Especially for formal parties or occasions you need to doll up for, you'll grab on to that LBD for easy styling while looking good with just the way it is.                                                                                       

10.Comfy Flats.  Who says flat shoes can't be stylish too?  A tasteful pair of flats will look chic when worn with pants and classic white shirt combination or a night cocktail dress while giving you a comfort sole throughout the day.                                                                                                                   

11.Dark Slim Denims or Jeans.  A great mix n’ match piece for chill-out Fridays is a slim pair of denims or jeans worn with the standard white shirt or layered top for a fashionable get-up.  Make it a dark shade and this makes you look even better with its greatly slimming effect.                                                                                                            

12.Wrap Around Dress.    Allows you to transition with ease from a busy day schedule to a cozy dinner date with your other half, friends, or family.  It comes as the perfect substitute for the more sophisticated little black dress during casual and relaxed, but dressy occasions.                                         

13.Slip-On Sneakers.  Chic but cool and comfortable, slip-on sneakers can take you to lengthy walks for short business errands or leisurely strolls. This is your partner when you need to step outside once in a while for some breath of fresh air.                                          

14.Dressy Blouse.   Here’s a girly complement to charm up the professional businesswoman in you.  Other than with pants and skirt, the pussy-bow style blouse can even go with tailor-made shorts and ballet flats to knock the odds out in your favor during luncheon meetings with hard-to-win suppliers.  

15.V-neck Sweater. This one permits you variety in layering to gain more wardrobe style. The V-neck sweater comes convenient for breathing out collared blouses or as an under shirt to soften a blazer or jacket during cold days. It’s good enough to be worn as a stand-alone piece for ordinary work days. 

Events for business promotion have increasingly gained importance. Major firms, whether local or multinational companies (MNCs), have become more highly visible outdoors, marching out into industry-wide exhibits or staging private initiatives of their own.  But according to a 2015 joint survey of The UPS Store and Inc., a considerable percentage of small business owners, recorded at 42% of total respondents, likewise put their marketing budget to events. 

Event marketing for worthy consideration of small business owners
Photo courtesy of purplegillian via Pixabay

As these small business owners may probably have realized, events to be effective don't require hugeness in terms of activities or attendance as long as they meet your marketing objectives. Find out more the reasons why events marketing can work the same or even more, not only for established, but also for small and startup businesses like yours. 

 

Highly Targeted Audience.  Tri-media is basically designed to touch base with the broad mass audience.  With events marketing however, you could decide even for an extremely selected audience of your choice. You could devise ways to drill down and cut through the audience pie by putting in place activity qualifiers such as payment of entrance fees, showing up for attendance of specific family members from particular age segment, presentation of employment I.D.s for exclusivity on specific occupational group, and so on. These event screeners serve to guarantee that you generate the market with corresponding demographic or psychographic profile you’re targeting.  With the assurance of high interest from event attendees  since compliance with these activity safety nets is made voluntarily, wise marketing investment is on the works for your business.

Face-to-Face Communication.  Nothing beats the rewards which personal communication can bring you. Beyond the actual message transmitted, personal communication also enriches interaction via non-verbal cues that you see from customers like facial expressions and body gestures. Based on these verbal and non-verbal communication signals you receive, you could make the best out of your conversation with clients by asking on wants, clarifying gray areas, soliciting suggestions, and probing further on possible product likes or dislikes, etc. If you’re on a trade exhibit that combines retail selling, you could adjust your negotiation binge based on these message signals to have better chance of closing a sale, or generate leads from contacts made.  Overall, face-to-face communication grants you the chance to wrap up your customers' experience towards something pleasant and memorable, which they can attach to your brand and will make them buy when they see it at the trade.  

Direct Feedback.  Market feedback is very much valued in business.  It's the only way you could know how your product is faring with your customers.  This can help drive your business’ current performance and future outlook.  The enriched, individual interfacing with clients during an event made possible by face-to-face communication may be summed up to a general trend on consumer behavior and attitude toward your products and services.  This nudges you to return to your work station, to rethink, and to redraw your marketing plans, if the need may be.

  

Dovetailed Approach.  When you decide to go with events marketing, you have the freehand on planning your event execution.  Except for minor technicalities on audio, sound, light and other venue parameters, the sky’s the limit until where your wit and creativity can bring you for your event. You need to be clear though on your business goals for joining or hosting one to make sure your money, time, and efforts aren’t wasted on non-sense activities. For instance, if you intend to heighten awareness and education for your product’s new feature and benefit but you’re focused mainly on games and marketing collaterals distribution without conducting any product demo or sampling activities, you’re definitely much off the target, girl!

Better Control.  A marketing event is like a live show, with your company, brand or product acting at curtain call upon the exhibit's opening and closing hours. Any changes to the program can therefore be done on real time without any lags. You, yourself can effect these revisions without going through or waiting on third party agencies.  This definitely puts you at better control all throughout your event for any corrective measures to avoid wasted resources. For instance, if your aim is purely product retailing but you see on the first day that stock movement is slow, you may consider coming up with free goods promo like a Buy 5, Get 1 FREE to hasten sales off-take.

Got a key company event coming up?  If you're up to staging one with a different vibe unlike other occasions before, why not try fusing in some Chinese flair towards holding your own Asian-inspired celebration. When you see this fitting the picture, Gloria Maris Greenhills may stand as your one feasible option. 

Gloria Maris Greenhills for Chinese vibe during corporate events
Photo courtesy of Go Entrepinay

Gloria Maris has long been popular for its wide array of succulent Chinese dishes, but now, it also has offerings for choices on affordable party packages. Its various amenities at Greenhills also make it a functional venue for corporate parties. Found within the mainstream commercial center, its location lies central to buzzing business districts of Makati, Taguig, Ortigas, and Quezon City. Adding to that is its spacious dining areas at the ground floor, which is good for small- to medium-size company lunch-outs or dinner treats.  

Grand dining halls at Gloria Maris Greenhills.
Photo courtesy of Go Entrepinay

But if you have grander corporate milestones to spread out from your sleeves, the even wider banquet halls located at the third floor could suffice for that need.  Parking also doesn't seem to pose a problem for there is a car park right at the basement.  VIP or guests drop-off is also made convenient by the driveway clearance set off from the main Missouri road, paving way for a more dramatic entrance into the venue if you wish so.

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.