What’s It Like to Start a ‘Quarantine Business’ for Filipinos?

“Aren’t you helping an egg supplier with his business? How much is he selling the eggs for? I want to start the same business, too.” My friend Kim told me via Messenger one morning. She was referring to a former Grab driver temporarily selling goods, as I’d been promoting him on my page for the past weeks. “But I don’t know how to do it. I’ve been an employee all my life,” Kim worried.

Half-jokingly, I told her just buy the eggs in advance and post signs on her front yard for a start, given I also have no experience. Since she lives in a village in Cavite, I also instructed her to see whether or not her locale has a dedicated Facebook group where she can alternatively market her business. That’s how most people nowadays do it anyway, especially with stay-at-home protocols still in effect. A few days since she thought of the idea, Kim found a supplier and shared that she would soon start her egg-selling business.

Also read: 5 Ways You Can Support Small Online Businesses

What opening a small business is like for Filipinos at home

In that same spirit, I reached out to young Filipino entrepreneurs, a combination of direct sellers and creative service providers, with experience in opening a small business while in quarantine. Below, Stephen Lim, Hannah Dy, Nathalie Liu, Kervin Mendiola, and Leandro Castro discuss their journeys and tips for Filipinos who, just like them, want to make the most of their time at home by having a meaningful as well as profitable enterprise.

Stephen, baked goods

Tell us about yourself and about the small business you started during the quarantine.

I’m Stephen Lim, and I’m currently working while my sister is Sherry Lim who is currently a fourth-year student at the De La Salle University. During this quarantine, my sister and I started Grand Kitchen Manila with the sole purpose of selling baked goods. Another business that I’ve started is reselling GCQ essentials like face masks, face shields, alcohol dispensers, and the like to my neighbours initially. Now, I also sell to my friends and other people.

Why start a small business at this time and why that particular business?

During the lockdown, my sister and I were not allowed to go out of the house nor even walk around the village. So we didn’t really know what to do to kill our boredom. We thought of baking first and not selling anything yet. What inspired us to sell our signature pandan cheese pandesal was that during the lockdown, we kept on ordering ube pandesal from different online bakeries to the point that we got so tired of it already.

What we did was think of another flavour that would somehow be unique to the taste buds of the customers. Since some people were already selling pandan cheese pandesal with their own filling, we had to think of another filling that no one was selling yet. We decided to use our homemade pandan kaya.

Now, almost everyone is still staying at home or perhaps some are working from home and are afraid to go out and buy food. So with our little online bakery, these people can just message us to order our pandan cheese pandesal and have it delivered right to their doorsteps. We bake them freshly in the morning of the scheduled delivery date to ensure its freshness.

What was opening a small business during quarantine like for you?

Starting this online bakery is fairly easy so long as you have an oven, basic baking knowledge, and basic photoshop knowledge. With as little as ₱5,000 or less, we were able to buy all the ingredients we needed to make the pandesal. I used to bake when I was younger, so I already had prior experience and basic knowledge in baking.

Since this is an online business, all we need to publicise it are our phones and some mobile applications. Even though our signature pandan cheese pandesal has gotten positive reviews from all our customers, we still strive to make it better batch after batch. We find the best ingredients for this Filipino breakfast staple that all Filipinos love.

Would you encourage other Filipinos to do the same? How will it help them?

We really encourage everyone to start their own business amidst this pandemic, especially those who have nothing to do at home. There is no better time to come up with an idea and turn it into a business than now. Not only will having a business help you keep your mind off stress from the pandemic, but you can also help those around you simply by just baking or cooking food for them.

Can you share tips for other Filipinos planning to open their own small businesses?

One tip for those who are also planning to open their own online bakery is to let your family or friends taste your products first before you sell it to the public and get their honest opinion. This way, you can still improve on the recipe based on their comments.

We realised that in baking, one should never be afraid to experiment on new things, especially recipes. Who knows — you might discover a taste that could capture the taste buds of your customers and turn them into regular customers! Also, try watching as many YouTube videos as you can regarding the recipe you want to make. There are a lot of tips you can pick up to make your recipes better.

Hannah, daily necessities

Tell us about yourself and about the small business you started during the quarantine.

I’m Hannah Dy, a local interior designer. Along with my boyfriend Kim Lo and his brother, we started an online business called Daily Connect PH on Instagram and Facebook. It provides daily essentials appropriate for the “new normal”, from masks, disinfectants, and purifiers to home gym equipment and household items. From there, we also plan to branch out to a variety of other products as well as services.

Our vision is to cater to all essentials or needs, as well as use the business as a platform for potential partnerships to connect with more Filipinos. Being a sort of “hub” that can help one look for whatever he or she may need, we started partnering with friends and family to help one another during these trying times. Hopefully, we’ll be able to grow and extend our partnerships to a larger scale in the future.

Why start a small business at this time and why that particular business?

We decided to start this business because we already started selling as individuals and we wanted to have a platform where we can sell things we want without using our personal accounts. Also, because we saw how in demand masks and disinfectants are, among other things, we wanted to reach out to everyone so we could help them have access to these products. We want to encourage staying at home and staying safe, so we feel that these products are very much relevant at this time.

What was opening a small business during quarantine like for you?

It all started with coordinating with suppliers, doing inventory on stocks, finding ways to make it more engaging in posts through social media, and connecting with only reliable sources which required contemplation and careful decision making. From there, we also had to guide the buyers with bookings for deliveries.

While we still store our stocks just at home in our rooms, we’ve slowly progressed and somehow made a simple system to help us. With constant open communication (which is the most important), we hope to be able to organise everything even better as we go along.

Would you encourage other Filipinos to do the same? How will it help them?

Since the lockdown and pandemic greatly affected everyone, with some forced to work from home, cut off from employment, facing bankruptcy, to name a few, we believe that starting an online business during this time would help them. With this platform where we connect with partners and buyers, we can contribute and help cater to the needs of the consumers. At the same time, we help our suppliers maintain sales and income. Online businesses will help Filipinos have an additional source of income for increased expenses at home and other necessities.

Can you share tips for other Filipinos planning to open their own small businesses?

Teamwork and communication are very important. With these, there’s more transparency and clarity in every step of the business, whether in decision-making or operations. Work hard, make the necessary effort, and allot time to do specific tasks, like posting, replying to inquiries and orders, organising deliveries, or even managing inventory. It will be worth it in the end.

Also, be open-minded and think outside of the box for more possibilities and opportunities. These will enable growth and learning. Finally, find people you can trust and work with. It will establish a secure bond to help the business grow.

Nathalie, plants and pots

Tell us about yourself and about the small business you started during the quarantine.

I am Nathalie Liu, a 23-year-old teacher and an online seller. I started my first online shop way back in 2017 to earn extra income while working as a full-time teacher. Since the ECQ was implemented, I had more time to focus on my online shop. By God’s grace, my first online shop, Beautique MNL, expanded and I opened four more online shops, namely The Safe Haven (plants and pots), Be-Liu-tiful (health and beauty), NJ merchandise, and NJ’s crab paste.

Why start a small business at this time and why that particular business?

The four shops which I opened this ECQ period were all unplanned. For instance, The Safe Haven started because one of my churchmates had so many plants in her home and she wanted to dispose of some of them. So I decided to help her by posting it on my social media accounts.

To my surprise, I received a lot of inquiries regarding those plants. That’s why I decided to open a page where they can direct their inquiries there. And as days went by, we kept on receiving inquiries and orders until we decided to just grab this opportunity to start our plant and pots business. A lot of people are getting into gardening and re-decorating their homes. It also serves as a stress reliever especially for those people who love plants just like me.

What was opening a small business during quarantine like for you?

Starting a business is not easy because there are a lot of risks to face and considerations to make. My preparations before officially establishing the shops were planning my target market and deciding on the products I would sell — specifically those that would be relevant in today’s situation. Then, I looked for a good and reliable supplier, before eventually focusing on quality checking, costing, and pricing.

The challenges I faced in managing multiple online shops were time management, competition in the market, facing losses, and dealing with difficult clients. To resolve these challenges, I sought advice from people who are already pioneers in this platform and just prayed.

Would you encourage other Filipinos to do the same? How will it help them?

Having an online business is a good platform since we are now dealing with the “new normal’. People nowadays prefer to just stay at home and have their items delivered to avoid going out and be exposed to the virus. Starting an online business will allow them to earn more and it will also give opportunities for those who’ve lost their jobs due to the pandemic, such as the drivers and riders. These days, a lot of people are supporting local brands, so this is a good time to start opening a small business.

Can you share tips for other Filipinos planning to open their own small businesses?

Do not let fear, doubt, and criticism from other people stop you from pursuing and starting your own business. Work hard and persevere, and most importantly, pray. Also, you need to decide on your target market and products to sell. Make sure that you have already tried the products yourself before selling it. That way, it will be easier for you to answer inquiries and be more confident in selling your products.

Also, don’t be in a hurry to have your ROI (Return of Investment), especially if you are just starting. It’s also important to do costing so that you can do the right pricing of your products (not too high and not too low). Then, be sure to adapt to the trends and have different varieties to offer to your customers. In other words, don’t just stick to one product. Lastly, remember that first impressions last. So, it’s important to have good relationships with your clients. Always have patience and be kind even to those who are difficult to handle!

Kervin, dance classes

Tell us about yourself and about the small business you started during the quarantine.

I am Kervin Mendiola, 28 years old, a dance teacher, and a choreographer. Today, I am teaching a beginners’ class for kids and an intermediate class for teens and adults. I also do private dance and fitness classes. However, because not all want to go online, I decided to start another business to help to pay our bills. It’s an online food business called Cravings Sweet and Savoury, where you can find your favourite street foods. It offers free delivery for those living within Valenzuela city.

Why start a small business at this time and why that particular business?

The first month of the quarantine was tough, so I decided to read and research about how to run a business and effective online marketing strategies. My dance classes were cancelled, so I thought of taking advantage of online workshops. We don’t know until when this quarantine will last, but life doesn’t stop here. I have to be progressive even though I am stuck inside my house.

Since people are stuck inside their houses, the online dance classes will help them to exercise, learn new things, and reduce their anxieties because of what’s happening today. As for my online food business, I know that aside from me, there are lots of people out there who also miss street food.

What was opening a small business during quarantine like for you?

The first step is always the hardest because you have to understand that in the world of business, you have to make sacrifices every single day. You also have to solve problems in your business on your own. To begin, I set up my room, rehearsed how the dance classes would go, and evaluated technical issues; when I figured all those out, that’s when the marketing started. I re-contacted all of my students and explained the dance class process.

Marketing has a very important role in business. If you don’t market your business well, you will not get anything in return. So, every day I search for marketing techniques, which include effective copywriting. These are very helpful for us to engage our potential customers and students. After gathering my research, I make sure to put what I discover in action.

Would you encourage other Filipinos to do the same? How will it help them?

Yes. If you don’t start now, your business ideas will remain just that. I always believe that if you can imagine, if you have a dream, and if you really want it, then you can do it. Filipinos are very creative, or should I say “madiskarte”. All we need is courage and a strong motivation to continue.

Since I started these business ventures, I managed to help four of my family members earn income within the comfort of our home. We can pay our rent and bills using the money of these businesses. Once we unlock our greatest abilities, that’s the time that we stop complaining and start solving. As many business people would say, “Habang may problema, may negosyo. Kung may negosyo na buma-bagsak ngayon, mayroon din umaangat.”

Can you share tips for other Filipinos planning to open their own small businesses?

I am not scaring you but once you start a business, be ready to bleed because it is not easy. Surround yourself with supportive and positive people. Be persistent. Be patient. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. I also advise reading books to improve your financial literacy. Try those by authors like Chinkee Tan and Robert Kiyosaki. They helped me a lot in my journey. Continue learning because this will help us to survive. Through reading, you can search for business tips every day.

Leandro, writing and editing

Tell us about yourself and about the small business you started during the quarantine.

I am Leandro Anton Castro, 24 years old, and an incoming fourth-year student at the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law. I have a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the UP College of Mass Communication. I decided to start freelance writing and editing this quarantine.

Why start a small business at this time and why that particular business?

I decided to do freelance writing and editing because I thought it was one of the best ways I could earn income during the quarantine, and at the same time, practice my skills as a writer, journalist, and editor. Writing has also been therapeutic for me ever since. It helps me deal with the anxieties brought about by the pandemic and the quarantine. So aside from earning, I also get to take care of my mental health.

Lastly, this venture costs me little. I didn’t have to buy anything or spend on anything to start. That was a consideration for me as I didn’t want to start on a loss. The only things I needed were a laptop and a stable Internet connection, which I fortunately have at home.

What was opening a small business during quarantine like for you?

It was a lot of trial and error. For weeks, I was trying to get clients on different freelancing sites. The first few weeks were stressful. I had to learn these different platforms, and in the process, commit a lot of mistakes. I was watching a lot of tutorials, vlogs, and was researching a lot. Eventually, I realised that these sites are already saturated and there are a lot of freelancers who are already popular on those platforms.

My girlfriend eventually recommended that I try advertising my freelance services on my Facebook and Instagram accounts. This was when I started getting clients and projects. I realised that using my active social media accounts and capitalising on warm contacts were better options than starting in the already saturated freelancing sites. At the moment, I’ve worked on a couple of projects already but am still looking for more clients. I have joined Facebook groups and have advertised my services there.

I’m also still trying to learn to rate my services reasonably. I understand that despite my background, I don’t have a rich portfolio because I haven’t written in a while. My priority now is building connections and good relationships with existing clients by producing quality work for them that are reasonably priced. Hopefully, I receive good reviews and I will be able to build my reputation as a credible freelancer. Only then will I consider increasing my rates.

Would you encourage other Filipinos to do the same? How will it help them?

I encourage others to do the same — even those who do not belong in the same field as I do but have talents or skills which they can earn from. If you have a laptop and Internet connection, you will be able to find opportunities online with little to no spending. Freelancing may be a good option for those who need to earn extra to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. Furthermore, by freelancing, one can also help small to medium entrepreneurs make it through the quarantine. I noticed that there are a lot who need assistance in their businesses but have insufficient resources to hire and pay full-time workers.

Can you share tips for other Filipinos planning to open their own small businesses?

First, know where you’re good at. Know what skills or talents you can offer and capitalise on them. Build a portfolio if you can. Second, stay persistent. I’m also just new to freelancing and I’m still learning. I still commit mistakes most of the time. A lot of my potential projects still don’t pan out. But again, just like in any other field, starting at something entails learning and committing mistakes. You just have to stay persistent. Third, take advantage of your already established circles. Reach out personally to friends and peers. Most of the time, they are also just looking for people who have your skills and talents to help them.

Also read: How to Work From Home Productively, Without Losing Your Sanity

Months ago, opening a small business would’ve been a far-fetched goal for most Filipinos, my friend Kim included. Not enough capital, an already competitive market, not to mention, the lack of “new” ideas are just some reasons why they stopped before they even began. But if there’s anything one ought to take away from the stories shared above, it’s that these things don’t mean anything when productivity and creativity denote survival.

The quotes above have been edited for grammar, clarity, and flow. Featured image credit: mohamed_hassan | Pixabay