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Hardwork • Passion • Success

Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Made this with an iPhone app | Quote from Google | Added "Take the damn risk"

Over lunch, I was talking to a friend and our topic was all about life. Both of us shared life experiences and thinking about the things she shared now, I only have one line in my head:

The richest people are not employees.

Yeah, well. To whoever will disagree with me, I would really want to have a debate. Nevertheless, I think we all agree. If you search Google for Entrepreneurship quotes, you will see a quote that says, "60-80% of all new jobs come from small businesses". I will take every opportunity to be able to second the motion. If you come to think of it, starting your own business will not only benefit you - it will benefit those who are less fortunate. A simple small-time restaurant would probably have 10 employees at a minimum. That's 10 heads - 10 families you're feeding. Sure it puts a hell lot of pressure on you, but there is no doubt you're going to feel good about it. Here in the Philippines, a small sari-sari store would have at least one employee/helper. That is again, one head, one family. Although the salary is not as big as those of big companies, that is still considered as income. 

 My friend was telling me about a friend whose parents had to go through a lot just to be able to reach their current status. I'm sorry, but the only line I said was, "well it's a good thing his parents decided to start small-scale businesses rather than "work hard" as employees. I can just imagine what they went through - living days with no earnings, and on other days earning too much. It's really tricky; but they never gave up. It makes my inner goddess jump up and down with joy to know they're really doing well now.

Contrary to what I'm writing, my parents aren't businessmen/entrepreneurs. My dad is a professional, being a dentist. My mom is, well, retired. But she used to be someone big at a certain company. I don't know where this passion came from, but I'm pretty sure it got stronger when I entered college. As stated on my previous entries, I have lived a pretty luxurious life. Given that my parents aren't entrepreneurs at that rate, I can just imagine the life I can give to my children when I focus on the businesses I have in line.


To end this entry, here is a short story/interview of one entrepreneur I'm sure would inspire you in any way possible. Source:

As founder and chief shoe giver at TOMS, a retail company with a mission of social entrepreneurship -- Blake Mycoskie launched his company eight years ago intent on giving back. The premise of TOMS was simple: For every purchased pair of shoes another pair would be donated to children in need in 60 countries all over the world.  

The spirit of this trademarked "One for One" philosophy has informed how TOMS has grown, as the company added eyewear to their repertoire and moved into other ventures.
Last year, TOMS Marketplace was launched -- a digital hub that calls attention to similarly socially-minded companies and gives customers an opportunity to shop with a cause in mind.
And this spring, TOMS got into the coffee business, directly trading with the farmers that grow their beans and giving a week of clean water to the communities that need it most for every bag sold.
We caught up with Mycoskie, an award-winning serial entrepreneur, former Amazing Race competitor and the bestselling author of Start Something That Matters, to talk about always putting the customer first and the importance of following your passion, wherever it takes you.

A: I would have never decided to enter a business where only a handful of companies or customers can determine your fate.

A: I wouldn't have tried to start a cable network [Reality Central in 2003]. I tried to start a reality TV cable network and ultimately failed, because we could not get necessary distribution on the big cable operator platforms.

Q: How do you think young entrepreneurs might benefit from this insight?
A: Even if you have the best idea in the world and tons of customers that want it, if there is a platform, channel, retailer that will get in between you and your customers, you could have a problem. If they love what you are doing, that's great, but if they don't, you have to figure out a way to get directly to the end user with your product and service. 

Q: Besides inventing a time machine, how would you have realized this wisdom sooner?
A: I would have read more business biographies.  The most successful entrepreneurs who write them are transparent about the mistakes they have made and what you can learn from them.

Q: What are you glad you didn’t know then that you know now? Why?
A: How hard it is to start a shoe business. How hard it is to build a business when you are committed to giving something away every time you sell something in a one-for-one manner, and lastly, how many red eye flights you would have to take to save money on hotel rooms!

Q: What is your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
A: Focus on your passion. Nothing else matters.

-This interview was edited for clarity and brevity.

Let me repeat something in big, bold letters:

Focus on your passion. Nothing else matters.

Thoughts: Craft Coffee Revolution

Sunday, June 8, 2014

June 5, 2014

 You have probably read my other entry regarding Sunshine Slushie & Comedy Manila and it states there that I was there on the 4th of June. Funny how I couldn't get enough of their slushie.

I invited Pat to Craft because I wanted her to try the Sunshine Slushie and I also wanted to try the Strawberry Slushie my friend ordered the night before. It stands to reason that it was as good as I expected. More than the slushie, I remember Pat saying, "ang sarap talaga maupo dito" (it really feels good to sit here) more than twice. She said she's been wanting to chill at a place where she could stay for hours but be comfortable. Well, I must agree. For the past years, we've been staying in different milk tea places but I think that is about to change. Besides, since their slushies cost P95, it doesn't really make a big difference compared to ordering an P85 peso milk tea. Don't get me wrong, Craft is a coffee place and there are other stuff you could order there. Personally, I'm not just into sweets (cakes, etc) and pasta. I am a coffee person though, and I have yet to try their coffee.

Craft's location is also one thing that captured our hearts. We stayed outside so I could entertain my vice, but I think this is the first time Pat actually didn't mind. There were plants around us which made the ambiance relaxing, scientifically supposed to make the place cooler, and it was quiet. There was music, and of course other people chatting, but so what? It adds up to making this place be awesome. Besides, unlike the milk tea place we're currently visiting, the sound of the tricycle disturbs our conversations. Although in my case, I have to say I'm having difficulty parking my car. They have few slots and they share it with another establishment. The last time I was there, I parked on the street. The night before, even the street parking was full. That's probably the only thing I don't like. Nevertheless, I love Craft. ❤

My Personal Rating for Craft: ★★★★★

Sunshine Slushie + Comedy Manila

Thursday, June 5, 2014
June 4, 2014
Craft Coffee Revolution

Accompanied by friends who are avid fans of Comedy Manila, I finally got to attend a stand-up comedy show. Yes, I'm a stand-up comedy virgin. I haven't been to famous comedy bars - those of which the likes of Vice Ganda do comedy live. I heard it was fun, but I also heard that some people take the "okrayan" part seriously. So insulting an audience is not good, but why would you go to such a place when you can't take a/n (joke) insult? Anyway, knowing myself, I'd enjoy those things.

I am very thankful for the courage of my friend to do something huge for the one she loves because this brought me to them and Craft. I'm always in Katipunan but I never knew there was a slushie-haven there. I also would have never considered attending such a thing. Okay, I don't know the right spelling or the spelling they used in Craft. Even Google got me confused. This is the best I got.
There are a number of different kinds of slush drinks:
Frozen uncarbonated beverages are made by freezing a non-carbonated juice or other liquid. Machines for producing these do not require a pressure chamber, and so are much cheaper and easier to maintain. These machines usually have more attractive clear product hoppers, and can fit on a counter top. They make a slightly wetter slush. There are variations including frozen carbonated beverages, typified by the Slurpee or ICEE, are made by freezing a carbonated drink. Machines for producing these are complicated and expensive, and notably require a carbon dioxide supply. They make a very fine and 'dry' slush. - Wikipedia

I ordered the Sunshine Slushie, and it was a-mazing. A-mazing. If I remember it correctly, it's a mixture of apples, bananas, and oranges. It sounds odd, it looks delish, and it tastes great. I SWEAR. Craft Coffee Revolution's Slushies cost Php 95.

My Sunshine Slushie! ♥

Now, back to Comedy Manila.
Comedy Manila is a group of (straight) male stand-up comedians. No one wore makeup, no one wore a dress, no one insulted anybody. They were very casual which doesn't really intimidate the crowd, and they were all very friendly before, during, and after the show. Well, they insulted themselves. There were malicious jokes - personally, those are my favorite jokes and yes, I love dirty jokes.

Comedy Manila + Open Mic-ers

 Apologies for that collage, but I can't really tell you which of them are the open mic-ers and the actual members of the group. Needless to say, all of them were good. Some of them thought their jokes were corny because not as much people laughed, so they'd say something to embarrass themselves which makes it funnier. Besides, I was laughing the whole time. Their jokes were true-to-life stories, their jokes consisted of a bunch of things that happen every day that are so funny but we don't really realize it until someone points it out - and they pointed it out to me so I'm very grateful. It might just be a bit dangerous to me though cause I might find myself laughing alone in the elevator. I think they understand the fact that comedy is supposed to make you feel good, not feel bad about yourself. Thanks guys, I was able to forget the world for a moment.

In case you're wondering, yes, I do have my favorites. I have three, actually. ;)

Btw, the show in Craft, Katipunan is free. I didn't really notice what time it was when it started, but I'm pretty sure it was between 9-10PM, and ended around 11:30PM. If you're interested to get to know them more or know the schedule of their gigs, just visit their Facebook.

Craft - must visit
ComedyManila - must watch

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