Saturday, August 24, 2013

Young entrepreneurs shine at Ateneo Business Center
























“Young entrepreneurs shine at Ateneo Business Center”
Sun.Star Davao, Aug. 24, 2013

The Ateneo Business Center or the ABC is an exciting avenue for the young and dynamic Entrepreneurship students of the Ateneo de Davao University to test their entrepreneurial skills and get a feel of the real business world.

Divided into four main areas all located at the Ateneo Jacinto campus, the ABC proudly features the Box, Hub, Cup and iCampus.

The Box is where products such as adorable pet outfits from Pet Charmz; animal-inspired bags and shoes from Animars; one-of-a-kind fashionable clothes from Metanoia; and official Ateneo de Davao merchandise from Stay Blue can be purchased.

On the other hand, the Hub offers food products to satisfy one’s discriminating taste buds. Yummy treats like melon slushies from Captain Melon; spaghetti and adobo rice from Boyd’s All Rice; submarine sandwiches from SubXpress; sweet bite-sized chocolates from Choco Morez and flavored goat’s milk from Go Milk and Dairy Royale’s Queen’s Milk can be enjoyed at pocket-friendly prices.

The University Hue Café at the Cup is the perfect hang out for customers to chill, talk about anything under the sun and savor tasty cakes from Royal Bites. Visit the café every Friday and Saturday and you will surely have a blast on their Acoustic and Open Mic night.

Apple fanatics are guaranteed to love the iCampus, which sells Apple products and accessories with special discounts for Ateneo students, faculty, alumni and referrals.

The Box and the Hub are open from 10:00am-7:00pm, Mondays to Saturdays; iCampus  from 10:00am-7:00pm, Mondays to Fridays and 9:00am-12:00nn on Saturdays; and the Cup or the University Hue Cafe from 9:00am-12:00mn, Mondays to Saturdays.

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"Be your own boss"

1. Since you launched the ABC, what is the feedback of the students, faculty and other customers?

Rio Lagura of Hue Cafe: “They were surprised and amazed by the fact that the students run their business on their own.”

2. What important lessons did you learn in running your business?

Boyd Mearns of Boyd’s All Rice: “In putting up a business, for me, there are three important factors to consider. These are: location – it must be accessible and easy to reach; advertisement – tell everyone what you offer; and price – it must be affordable with customer satisfaction. These three factors will help you become a successful entrepreneur.”
  
3. What made you want to take an entrepreneurship course? Who or what inspired you?

Trixee Gaceta of Go Milk: “I took this course because I want to be independent; I don’t want to rely on my parents and entrepreneurship will help me achieve this goal. I want to prove that I can stand on my own.”

4. Why did you choose this kind of business?

Pat Bacaltos of Metanoia: “Being a fashion blogger, this is where I channel my field of expertise. Also, I wanted to see a new wave of fashion here in Davao.”

5. What makes your products/store unique?

Ching Sinangote of SubXpress: “We use ciabatta bread for our submarine sandwiches. Also, we make sure that our vegetables and spices are fresh.”

6. After your ABC experience, are you excited to create your own business?

Kyle Albano of Queen’s Milk: “Yes because I believe that the benefits of having a business can help me and other people.”
  
7. How did your parents and teachers support you in your ABC business?

Carol Ongco of Stay Blue: “Our parents and teachers empowered us to stand up for our business and pursue it, to believe in ourselves.”

Special thanks to Brian Dan Congson, Paolo Villanueva, Kerwin Buck Koting. Cherry Mae Sinangote and Rizal Thaddeus Acas for the Ateneo Business Center launch photos.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.


Saturday, August 10, 2013

Reaching new heights from air to land

























“Reaching new heights from air to land”
Sun.Star Davao, Aug. 10, 2013

After 19 years of traveling around the world as a flight attendant at Cathay Pacific Airways, Esperanza “Epi” Francisco-Tepoot made the big switch and finally settled in Davao for good.

“Two years before I retired, I felt depressed whenever I left Davao for Hong Kong where I was based as a flight attendant. It seemed like I had exhausted the fun out of flying, hotels and shopping. At that time, being pregnant with my youngest child also made me reflect about my career plans. The thought of having a little one again was most exciting. This time around, I wanted to make sure that when my baby woke up every day, that I was the first one she saw, unlike the case with my other children”, says Epi who together with businessman husband Alwin have three wonderful kids Bianca, Santi and Lexi.

However, Epi realized pretty soon that when she did move to Davao permanently, being in one place made her bored. “You see, I am very independent. I want things done quickly. I even walk very fast like I do in Hong Kong. Eventually, I learned to relax. My very supportive husband and a group of amazing friends who were always around at a moment’s notice helped me with my transition”, discloses Epi.
           
Big switch

To keep her busy, Alwin encouraged her to go to work regularly at his tire business, Servityre.

“I resisted at first but slowly, I became interested. I realized what genius goes into running a business”, explains Epi.  She began to learn extensively about tires from its production process, parts and maintenance.

"I gained confidence and met so many interesting people mostly in the tire industry. I understood the difficulties and rewards of marketing; the value of hard earned money; the challenges of sustaining growth and exceeding expectations”, recounts Epi.

When her husband saw she was ready for a new business venture, they made plans for Pitbull Tyre Center.

Not the typical tire center

Pitbull Tyre Center, which was launched last week at the Phoenix Complex in Lanang, is a result of Alwin and Epi’s intensive research of what they considered as “lacking in the market”.

“We wanted to make the customer top priority since my background was customer service. I saw how uncomfortable most car service centers were, especially to women and children. Our customer lounge offers free coffee, tea and WIFI; children's play area; and cable TV. Ultimately our goal is to make servicing the customers’ vehicles a worry-free experience. We want to provide a center that has a comfortable, friendly and modern setting”, enthuses Epi.

In addition, Pitbull Tyre Center is the Mindanao-wide distributor of Aeolus Tires. It is proudly the home of the first modern concept showroom of Aeolus Tires in the Philippines with a full line up of its passenger car tires.

Established in 1965, Aeolus Tires is a well-renowned manufacturer and distributor of radial tires. It has since proven its tire performance and durability in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Branding itself as the “The Preferred Alternative”, Aeolus Tires offers a range of high-quality tires from rim 13” to 20”.

Family in mind

“Since I started work, my husband and children have always been supportive. In order for us to have more time with our kids, we recognized our need for people whom we can trust and delegate work”, shares the busy mom.

Epi points out that when choosing key people in their business, they don’t necessarily need to be the smartest or have a degree. Instead, she and Alwin prefer people with the most will and heart. “We don’t mind the time-consuming training it takes and the patience required as long as the individual has the right attitude”, she adds.

“Having this in place relieves my worries and lets me enjoy my time with my children. I am very lucky, my kids insist on "working". They love being in the office. In fact, my son knows more about tires than I do. In retrospect, we designed Pitbull Tyre Center with our family in mind”, Epi reflects.

“Truth be told, I am busier nowadays but happier and more content. Our family’s need for self improvement and learning never ends. I am glad I listened to Alwin’s advice. Who knew I would be selling tires and loving it?”, smiles Epi.
           
From air to land, this seasoned flight attendant turned mompreneur continues to soar and reach new heights!

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.