Bida ang Entrepinay: The Real Essential Worker

We used to live in Cainta and worked full-time. Then on weekends I would join bazaars in Manila selling bottled food products as a side hustle. It was toxic living and earning a decent income in Manila. I remember always having to juggle several jobs at the same time. And we have little time for the kids, and we're always exhausted. So in 2011, when our oldest was about school-age, we decided to just leave everything behind, our jobs, extended family, and move to Los Banos because we felt it was a better environment for raising our kids. We put up a farm and started growing fresh produce for sale in our local community, and what we can't sell we process into botted food products. Our main product, KalamanC++ started when we harvested a lot of calamansi in the farm that we couldn't sell, so we decided to create a new and unique product using calamansi, malunggay, gotu kola and turmeric which all grew abundantly in the farm. At first it was just for our family consumption, we served it to guests and got good feedback. That it tasted unique and it was healthy, and kids like it, even if they didn't really like drinking calamansi. We came up with the brand, KalamanC++, and started distributing to specialty stores that catered to people looking for organic, natural, and healthy products.

Running a business, especially a farming business, is really 24/7. You don't really get weekends off or holidays, because you have to be on top of things all the time. But it can also be very flexible. I'd like to think that we designed our family life with this kind of flexibility in mind. Our children are all homeschooled, since first grade, so even their school time is flexible. If I need to be somewhere business-related, they're independent enough to be on their own (older kids tending to the little kids), or I can bring them with me. If I need to visit the farm or monitor production, then we can all go, and they won't be absent from school or anything. Our situation is not always easy or ideal, but it works for us, and we all get to do the things we need and want to do as long as we arrange our schedules and priorities together as a family.  

The challenge has always been the lockdowns and the logistics nightmare that go along with it. We live in Laguna, we have a farm in Quezon, going to check on the farm is so stressful, the checkpoints, the travel permits you need to secure, we couldn't bring the kids because they're not allowed to travel, those things. Also the market is changing, buying behavior is changing, consumption patterns are changing, the business has to adapt so you have to be up on your toes all the time. Because if you don't you'll be eaten up by the competition and lose your market altogether.   

Build a community and deliver value. I don't believe anyone can be a singular success in business. Look for people, organizations who will complement you and drive your business to grow. And focus on value. Business is trade. People give you money and you give them something in return. But make sure that you're always giving your customers something that will benefit them, not just a product or something from the inventory, but a solution for making their lives better, make them feel better, even for just one drink or one meal, that's already value. And I think that ultimately, that's what entrepreneurs should aspire for, to build a loyal community and clientele who keep coming back and who keep supporting us because of the value they get from every transaction.

The biggest advantage for me is that I get to spend time with my kids as they grow. Knowing that can I still help put food on the table while being able to give my kids the time and attention they need in their growing up years, that's really valuable. And I always get to be the boss, both at home and at work ;)

 

My daughter started a small online business last year during the pandemic, she's making accessories out of dried flowers and resin. I bought dried/preserved flowers for her business and eventually started to arrange some and decided to sell it online. 

Being an entrepinay, IL's Financial Advisor and a Full time Mom of four is not easy especially in our situation right now, but I manage my time with the support of my husband, family, friends, and guidance from the Lord. 

I must say that, it's the other way around for me. My small business was born because of this pandemic, I enjoy having an online business because I can still look after my kids, I manage my own time and it serves as my stress reliever. 

Always be excited to sell/promote your products. Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life. 

I think my advantage as a mommy entrepinay, are traits that all Mommies have in common, resilient, patient and we don't easily give up.