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?

Power Tools

"TOO MANY OBSTACLES!"  ...   says J. Bond's twin named "wisecrack".

Pappy's Trail

Huh?  What obstacle???  The cleaning aids and a few small beads were what he called obstacles for the reason that these blocked his way.  I was cleaning .... as in obsessively cleaning!  I stopped mid-air and tried with might to put some sense into this  wisecrack.

Where the fall happened (Fort Bonifacio). Here he goes again, a month after.

I get it.  To someone who prefers bumpy trails, a high jump over hurdles and spider-web obstacle courses,  cleaning aids and beads are  two power tools that will surely glue Mr. Wisecrack's feet flat on the ground. 

Yahoo!  How about that huh?!  Cool!

Made of Food and Color

Friends say that Bacolod is all about food.

They were right!

In my 3-day visit, days were filled with food, food ... and food.  Night and Day. A weekend of sumptuous indulgence which I tremendously enjoyed despite the unwanted pounds I brought back home to Manila. Veered away from usual malls, and instead explored for hole-in-the wall spots in every nook and cranny.  I quickly transformed into a bottomless pit with having tried the long list of dining recommendations thrown my way prior to the trip. 

Now, I affirm what was said.  Bacolod is all about GREAT food.  A superb delight to the palate, coupled with good service  and appealing dining rates (cheaper than Manila).

Yet, there is more.  An addition I share aside from what has been said .... A feast to the sense of sight this time.

Should you have the chance to visit Bacolod one day, I recommend that you walk along the streets (instead of ride). Go slow and savour the sights.  Then you'll see ... Bacolod is a PLAY OF COLOR.

The Provincial Capitol of Negros Occidental

 colorful Maskaras (used as pendants)

Handpainted Earrings

the Color Wheels

Behind bead curtains

Metal statue.  What is life without blue ...

Caution in color

tic-tac-toe?

A wall mural near Chicken House

Another wall mural

the best DAMN reason

I almost bit my travel agent's head off. 

This month of May is all about a TO DO LIST for the Pharmacy that  tributes  its 1st year of existence.  A Happy Birthday to the store and to the team!   Since I have been swamped with a really long   list for the past few weeks, I took the risk (for the first time) to buy a ticket to Bacolod from  a mall-based kiosk named Philippine Explorer.  Agents were easy to deal with, and must mention  for a fact that rates were comparable with net-posted rates. 

On May 21, I finally accomplished my on-the-side To Do task.  I was booked for a May 29, 9 am, Manila-Bacolod flight.  Ticket fully paid.  And enough time to dwell on two things:

ONE .... the mushy moment with J. Bond right smack at the exit door of the  Bacolod airport.  I arrive at 10:15 am while he arrives from Cebu 50 minutes earlier.  With his frequent business trips, it has been my realization that there is not much difference between an overnight and a long-term physical separation .... well, except for the duration.  But the magnitude of the "MISSing" part is just way the same.   So here's the vision .... I see him. He sees me.  We run towards each other. Embrace. And smack (with twinkling glowing hearts floating around us).  A planned and manipulated vision that played in my mind over and over again.

LOL!  Truly a mushy-cheesy moment to its extreme level.  But hey. When you miss someone, there is no longer such thing as rationale thinking.  Crazy Love sets in. 

and TWO .... enough time to condition myself to remove the bangles that wang before I pass through security check.

All set with a beaming smile. I was at the airport earlier than the instructed check-in time, ready to shove my ticket and hop on the plane.

Then, the DAMN thing began. 

The check-in crew says, You have no booking confirmation number.  All that appears in our screen is 0.00. You have to call your agent to make the necessary booking.  DAMN 1!

I then call my agent who I assume was awaken from her blissful sleep by my continuous calls, without probably having thought that she was then about to enter a horrible nightmare. My exact words, How in the world can you ever forget to book a flight? A tearful apology followed.  The agent commits to fix the mishap and says, Promise, I'll work on it as soon as the mall opens at 10 am. What?! I gasped for breath while  the May 21 lengthy and precise discussion with her on my preferred time flashed right before my eyes. I was particular about time, and much  more particular about the manipulated mushy moment.  DAMN 2!

The  situation I found myself in shook my world. Even with a series of mobile calls and text messages, we ended with a no choice situation since flight re-bookings are heavily dependent on what the agents call "the system". More so, phone calls are absolutely not  problem solvers.  It fulfills its purpose as being a means of communication, but that's just IT.  A face-to-face confrontation would tremendously put an end to a battle.

A screaming howl was the only thing I wanted to do at that moment, hoping it would reach the other side of the spectrum where J. Bond anxiously waited for updates.  We were both in sorrow.  Yet, the little voice in me says there is a reason.  I was left with only one option -- grab my bag, go back home, wait for the clock to hit 10 am  and zoom really fast to the mall to have my flight re-scheduled to a later time. Yet, it is a fact that anxiousness equates to hurdles.  An equation which I am adamant to tear apart. I was anxious. My system only spoke of tension.  And it was TRAFFIC!!!  NOT MOVING. BUMPER-TO-BUMPER.  DAMN 3!

Patience no longer existed at that point.  The darkest cloud loomed right above my head, and the cab driver's head (and tongue) as well.  We were both stuck with  a sabotaging mood for the same reason.  I reached home at exactly 10 am, dumped my bags, and drove straight to the mall.  I was ready to throw a fit, set free a raging stampede and demand for justice.  Seriously! The financial aspect was a teeny-weeny issue I can easily deal with.  But the broken emotional anticipation for a mushy moment with J. Bond is irreplaceable. THEN ... a teary-eyed agent faced my unspoken rage.  My heart sank. She apparently received a huge lashing from the big boss for  2 unbooked flights -- me and another poor soul. In a nutshell, I failed to materialize the raging plan.  DAMN 4!

The mood changed.  I faced the agent with a cool and smiling face.  It took her 10 minutes to re-schedule my flight, and gave all relevant details for DAMN SITUATIONS like this. This time, my little voice says Justice has been served. Move on. There is a reason.

As soon as I tucked my newly printed ticket in my bag, J. Bond called and gave the reason ...We missed our flight.  We arrive Bacolod at 4:30 pm. 

Ooh! I could have arrived at Bacolod at 10:15 am, but for an awful damn reason, my flight was not booked.  My flight was re-scheduled to 3 pm, and for a good damn reason, J. Bond missed his flight.  I arrived Bacolod at 4:15 pm, and for a  better damn reason, J. Bond arrived at 4:30 pm. 

And the best damn reason of all, I was spared from the long wait!

P.S.  The planned and manipulated mushy moment did not happen.  As soon as I exited the airport door, I soothed my nerves at Cocoon Spa.

See you in BACOLOD

Friends say Bacolod is all about food. Think "Pig-Out" on grilled items. 

But a few other suggestions were much enthusiastically shared by a dear friend who until this very day has not gotten my name right. He calls me either "Trish", "Trisha", or "Triccie" .... Well, he got the first 3 letters right. Bravo! But never the right name. At this point, I have gotten so used to it and therefore I just let it be. 

Here are the suggestions on his list ...

1. Mambukal Hot Spring Resort
2. A Fish Spa
3. Have coffee at Bob's Cafe and enjoy the  free wifi
4. A visit to the association of Negros producers for my bead requirements
5. and the best suggestion of all, hang-out in MCDONALDS-Capitol Branch to observe the lifestyle and behavior of "Bacolodnons"

Way to go.  Thanks for the 5 suggestions, mls.  But I'll stick to items 1-4.  Have had too much McDonalds for the past few weeks.  And a reminder, it's been a year and a half since I retired  from lifestyle observations and market research.  In other words, stepback exercise!

Anyway, en route to SMILE CITY this weekend for new discoveries and a change of scenery.  My first time ever to visit.   All set.  Except for this travel concern.

Remember the blings that wang?  Where I go, these go.

Yes, it is all about bangles.  I love bead necklaces, but I go crazy over bangles.  I prefer them big, and should always come in two or three at a time.  No bangle is the same, yet must  blend in color and design.  

 I will stick to the risk of another loud wang rather than store the bangles in my check-in luggage.  For the meantime, a mental note to take off the bangles is what I'll do before tomorrow comes and especially right before I pass through security check. 

Otherwise, next travel will be all about this .....

Stay cool.  See you in Bacolod!

TWO complicated

"It's complicated", says J. Bond.

Tala-Black Star

How about a blue and a white to make it absolutely "TWO" complicated?

Tala-Blue Star

Tala-White Star

Peace, J. Bond!!!  xoxo

Status: It's Complicated

J. Bond  arrives home and says ..... It's Complicated!

He declared this unsolicited "status" last night while his eyes glared steadily at this .....

I get it.  His glare said it all.  Greeting him in my extra-large floral night wear, enhanced by a black and gold sparkle, was an absolute clash of print and an absurd thought of  accessorizing one's sleep. With my knack for either contradiction or reinforcement,  I reinforced the glare by saying ... Why not?  A new way of sleeping.  Good night!

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is  actually a two-step practice I have long observed to test my bead creations.

Step 1.  I wear (plus pull, squeeze and bend) the bead necklace at home for quality check purposes.

Step 2.  I model the bead necklace in a mall to check its marketability.  The gauge: Glances and Stares.  A few times, queries from strangers.

When all is well and set, I sell.

But with J. Bond's complicated declaration, my mind is  now in  a state of twirl.  Is it really  complicated???    A necklace will always be a necklace. As much as a bead will always be a bead.  If we talk about time frame, it only took me an hour to design and create this latest Tala design. Unlike this year's Flora, it takes at least a day to create only one. Yet, I don't see it complicated.  A stiff complication to my back, yes.

I am a fan and a follower of these words:  UNIQUE and PLAYFUL.  Two words I  practice to keep the fire burning, and much seen in these By Beaded Story trademarks:

1.  No hooks or locks.  Backs should be accentuated as much as the front.  So a bead is used to lock the arrangement. Scarves or Ribbons are a good way of accentuating the back as well.

2.  Multi-functional.  May be worn either long or short (or a hip accent).

3.  Play of color.

4.  Very limited in quantity (6 pieces max) to keep the arrangement unique.

So, how can that be complicated???  No sense in pushing this further.  As they say Men are from Mars, and Women are from Venus.

 To my dear "MARS-tian", I have taken note of your comment (with a little bit of heart.  lol.).  Your eyes may see "complicated", but  your "VENUS" sees her works this way ....