the WOES of an Entrepreneur

One thing is for sure .... Entrepreneur Magazine drives me to HIT for the Moon and the Stars!

My learning from the Pharmacy's one year of  existence -- NOT ALL DAYS ARE GOOD. A thrilling game of HIT or MISS.  On days we HIT, we pat each one's back, give a high five and flash a thumbs up. But on days we MISS, the 911 emergency alarm surely blasts off.  Spirits are dampened and efforts gone to waste.  Nothing else to do but analyze and understand the reason behind the miss. Then, we start all over again and hope with ten fingers crossed that we HIT the Moon and the Stars the next time around.

On the other hand, this theory is not at all applicable to  my beads. I bead  when I am inspired and do retail when in the mood.  As J. Bond claims, I see beading as a form of art.

Summer 2010 was way too hot.  People preferred to stay within the confines of  their shady abode rather than take the risk of coming back home with burnt skin. Umbrellas nor air conditioned vehicles were too weak to give protection.  If they do go out, they travel to a nearby  beach and hydrate their heated  bodies with salty water all day long. 

Ergo, a winter cold weather amidst the angry summer heat was what the Pharmacy recently went through.  Now that summer is over, we are hoping (wishing, praying, meditating) for a much better "weather-performance".  Spirits are still a bit dampened.  But as they say, UP goes DOWN ... and DOWN goes UP. 

March 2010 Entrepreneur Magazine

On disheartening times like this, I am grateful for inspirational stories found in Entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur's March 2010 issue  features the  story and re-invention of Collezione, now better known as Collezione C2.  A local fashion brand that originated 38 years ago.  My mom and dad 2 are loyal fans up to this very day. A big hit amongst College students in the 70s .....  Later on lost its mark due to the entry of new and hip brands ..... and  has  now risen from the grave with its superb innovation and introduction of a revolutionized integrated style of fashion, art and nationalism.  I was glued to the story and ended with more hope.

A stronger positive outlook is what needs to be instilled at this moment. The Pharmacy's one year of existence ain't enough time to know by heart the intricacies of the business. It will take time, I know.

"Learn from old-timers like Collezione" is what I keep telling myself.  What is one year compared to their 38 years, right?

September '07 issue of ENTREPRENEUR

A few months before my wedding in February 2006, handcrafted bead necklaces were what I wanted to give as souvenirs to female guests.  I thought of making and giving this...

With the limited time, the tedious preparation, the lack of know-how and the clueless thought on where to source materials, I ended with potted mums.  It took a few months after I settled in my new home that I finally began my new-found romance with beads.

The romance began with re-arranging existing necklaces that I have not used for so long.  I went through a self-taught, trial and error process, since I intentionally made no plan of attending any professional bead training.  It took a short time to get the hang of it.  This I attribute to my passion for beads and eagerness to quickly learn. 

In my eagerness, I discovered mall-based shops that sold the beads I needed.  Visits started with one day a week which later on evolved to five days a week.  With my almost every single day visit and yet faced with the same bead choices, I grew bored.  I scouted for new options from all possible avenues until I came across the September 2007 issue of ENTREPRENEUR magazine.

I was ecstatic and grateful to Entrepreneur for sharing relevant information that I searched for. With this magazine in my bag,  J. Bond and I braved the overcrowded and messy streets of Quiapo one Saturday morning. 

I wrote about Quiapo in this BLOG.

  

 

I used this map found in the same issue as my guide for directions to Villalobos Street -- the "bead" street in Quiapo.  We were well-geared for the battle and found it relatively easy until we made a wrong turn.  It could have been a breeze if streets were de-clogged from the clutter.  But it is the clutter that defines the soul of Quiapo. 

We finally found the street after having asked a dozen times for directions from street vendors.  As soon as I stepped foot on Villalobos, I knew I was in la-la-la bead land! 

Villalobos St. is a small thoroughfare that extends all the way to the sprawling Quinta Market.  Many of the shops in this extremely busy street sell anything and everything you need to set up a fashion accessories business.  The products they carry include plastic and glass beads, hooks, jewelry locks, leather necklace, cords, metal wire, and even pouches and boxes where you can keep the bead necklaces that you have made ... Entrepreneur. September 2007 issue. Bargains in Quiapo

The arch seen in the photo marks the start of Villalobos Street which faces the main entrance of Quiapo Church. On its left is Mercury Drugstore. Thought of sharing with you a few landmarks in case you plan to drop by.

I frequent this place up to this day even with a more expanded list of bead suppliers found here and abroad.  I have grown accustomed with almost all of the shops, stalls and vendors. In my frequent visits, I have learned by heart the different routes to get to Villalobos Street.  I no longer make a wrong turn. 

The information I gathered in 2007 led me to become an avid reader of Entrepreneur.  I regularly refer to this magazine for information and new opportunities.  It has also been a source of INSPIRATION to budding entrepreneur dreamers like me and most especially my husband J. Bond.

It is also noteworthy to mention that it is because of this article featured in Entrepreneur's December 2008 issue .....

 

... that J. Bond discovered the "Pharmacy". 

We launched the grand opening of our GENERIKA DRUGSTORE -MOLINO 3 BRANCH  on July 11, 2009.

Grand Launch of Generika Molino, July 11, 2009. 
From left:  Mr. Teodoro Ferrer, J. Bond, Me, Lani Mercado-Revilla, Mayor Strike Revilla

Thanks Entrepreneur!