I started my career in JG Summit and I have the utmost respect for the man who built his empire, Mr. John Gokongwei. He is a visionary but at the same time, so humble that you would not think he owns one of the country's biggest conglomerates.
It is just right that I again draw inspiration from him now that I am dealing with the biggest change in my life. Being a stay-at-home wife is a very challenging phase for a corporate junkie like me. For over ten years, I have been a willing slave to corporate life. I loved the pressure and the deadlines. I loved meeting people. I loved doing presentations. I loved every single stress that it offered me. But all that has been changed.
Mr. John, in a speech he gave at the 20th Ad Congress, said:
Now that I am at home, I knew that I needed to grow my own business, no matter how small. And so my shop, The Accessorist PH, has been revitalized. Over the past few days, I have arranged my to-do list on how to proceed with my business. It's only now that I have all the time to finally work on the back-end and legalities of building my business. I have already registered my accessory shop under DTI (will do one post on how to do this) and by this week, I will be getting my business permits already.
It is just right that I again draw inspiration from him now that I am dealing with the biggest change in my life. Being a stay-at-home wife is a very challenging phase for a corporate junkie like me. For over ten years, I have been a willing slave to corporate life. I loved the pressure and the deadlines. I loved meeting people. I loved doing presentations. I loved every single stress that it offered me. But all that has been changed.
Mr. John, in a speech he gave at the 20th Ad Congress, said:
"The important thing to know is that life will always deal us a few bad cards. But we have to play those cards the best we can. And WE can play to win!"I was played with a bad card. Or so I thought. At the onset, it looked depressing. But now, I have realized that it is all worth it to leave my corporate life for a family that I want to build.
Now that I am at home, I knew that I needed to grow my own business, no matter how small. And so my shop, The Accessorist PH, has been revitalized. Over the past few days, I have arranged my to-do list on how to proceed with my business. It's only now that I have all the time to finally work on the back-end and legalities of building my business. I have already registered my accessory shop under DTI (will do one post on how to do this) and by this week, I will be getting my business permits already.
So, why build a small business?
- It helps pass the time by. While staying at home, you just can't wallow yourself in front of the television all your days. Idleness makes the mind and the body weaker. So do something with your time and make it worth your while.
- It offers some financial flexibility. It is always a personal fulfillment to be able to contribute to something. For me, having financial resources of my own allows me to contribute to the small household expenses and gives me cash flow for the things I want to buy on my own.
- It gives you a back-up plan. Your career is on hold. Your priorities have changed. You do not have the liberty to have an 8-to-5 job. Whatever your case is, entrepreneurship is your own assured fallback. You run it on your own time and on your own terms. Success can be achieved as long as you work hard for it.
- It provides you with an avenue to learn. Your skills need to be sharpened all the time. In my case, while my marketing profession is on-hold, I can practice my forte in building my own business.
- It opens up possibilities. Who knows? You might not want to go back to corporate anymore. Having your own business gives you more flexibility in how you handle your time. You can do it at the comfort of your home. You can have some siesta (this is what I do) and then resume working after a quick nap. If you are a mom, it gives you equal time to build your home. You can do things you never thought of doing before such as learn how to bake, or read all the books you want. Wouldn't that be nice?
There are a lot of upsides to entrepreneurship but it is also not easy. It needs twice the perseverance, hard work and dedication because this time around, you are investing everything on your own -- your time, your effort, your resources. As Mr John said,
"Entrepreneurship is not for the weak of heart. There is no easy path to success... entrepreneurship is not only finding opportunities to create value in the business sense, but also finding the opportunities to be your best self."
Exciting times!
How about you? I would like to learn how you were successful in setting up your business. Let's connect!
Love,
Balot
Balot
PS. Since I am an SAH-preneur now, please let me do a shameless plug. Visit and like my shop at the following channels. Please share to your family and friends :-) Thanks, loves!