Start Business While Still Employed

Most books and gurus on entrepreneurship demand total commitment to a chosen business, including physical presence. But for Khriz Gueco, an architect in Saudi Arabia and owner of Gueco Farms in Capaz Tarlac which has more than 30,000 chic heads, he chose to do it a little bit smarter.

“I started this (poultry business) while I was in Al Khobar in 1997. Since then the growth has been steady.” he said.

Contract growing is ideal agri-business for people who have idle land. The size depends on the number of heads (chics) to be contracted.

In terms of risk, it is relatively low. “Basically, the supplier pays for the use of the facility, and payment is on volume or mass produced basis (by kilogram),” Khriz explains.

He claims, however, that the secret of his success lies primarily on his willingness to take the risks, and trust on the people he tasks to take care of the business. In his case, he engaged his family (including the extended ones) in the management.

“One of the smart ways of handling business while away is by having them (the people) feel a sense of ownership. Let them understand the consequences of its failure. That way, they will give due importance and proper care,” he said.

While Khriz continues his profession abroad in order to maximize further his earning potential, he tasked it upon himself to promote the value of entrepreneurship among his colleagues. Every now and then, whenever he is invited to share his insights to small groups or seminars, he reiterates the importance of having a business.

Accordingly, it saves a great deal of remittances, since the business is supposed to be giving livelihood and source of income to the family; and, it acts as a fallback in case something goes wrong with the employment

His advice however is to start a business while employed. “It is actually less risky,” he said. “Should the business turn unfavorable, then employment will provide a leverage to stand up and the capacity to start all over again,” he added.

For tours, and additional information on contract growing business, contact:

GUECO FARMS, Capaz,Tarlac
KSA:(+966)567492081
Manila: +63(02) 7421330 (S)

Lessons from China

Randy Garcia (RG), an illustrator, a sculptor, and a world-class designer, could not afford to confine his works in the local market. When the Philippine export manufacturing sectors suffered so much set back in the early nineties due to Asian crisis, he felt the need to join the bandwagon of Pinoy designers migrating to China.

Now, looking back, Randy had all smiles knowing he had learned so much from his experience. And this is what he has to say:

“More than anytime in my life, now I have realized that it is passion that drive the way to success. You need to have that burning sensation about what you do, and that rampaging determination to accomplish whatever it is that you desire,” he enthused.

Randy realized that though having a stable income for his family was the determining factor why he chose to cross borders, it is his passion for self expression that brought him to his journey.

“Here in China, I have a choice to be a mere sculptor, or an illustrator just like any worker with specific task. But I could not help it. There is so much in my mind, that if I try to suppress them, I’d go crazy,” he emphasized.

And so Randy’s story of little greatness in his company started. Now, one of his tasks is to train Chinese workers to do exactly as he does best - sculpturing.

“Chinese (workers) are very receptive. They are fast learners. It’s probably because of their orientation,” he explains.Randy said that he will not be surprised if he sees a Chinese doing religious relics like the ones in Paete (Laguna).

One of the common criticisms thrown to Pinoy designers like him is the so-called “giving away” of Filipino skills secret in favor of the Chinese.

But Randy is not worried. He believes so much in Filipino talent and artistry. “Our edge is innovation and in the mix & match. That I have to see here yet,” he explained.

“Philippines is still the destination for new exciting designs and innovations. I am not saying this because I am Pinoy, but because that is what I am told by my Western counterparts,” he added.
Randy imparts some valuable lessons to our manufacturing sectors in the country: “We should do away with mass production, there is no way to compete with China products in terms of price. Instead we should aim for total quality custom-made products”.

“Pinoy design is really world-class. Our mixed orientations, and education sets us apart. We should capitalize on that.

“And we have to deliver as this is one of our loopholes. The Chinese are persistent, and very committed. It is high time to re-asses our values if we want to enrich our own system of production. (S)

Being Progressive

Our society is experiencing a crisis of values. Nowadays, our concept of what is valuable seems closely associated to numbers we see on price tags.

The society that we have promotes a system that puts little importance on works without monetary consideration.

If this way of thinking continues to thrive on material interests, perhaps we may never see the day when we can describe ourselves as truly progressive.

This is probably the reason why we prefer going out of the country, and worse, why most of Pinoys already abroad do not see enough reason to come back.

With our country’s vast natural resources and our peoples’ skills, it seems that the only battle we are presently engaged is the one that is within us. If we can only learn to unlearn our wants, and value things that truly matters, then the war is over before we even know it.

Once again, let us revisit the challenge we set prior to leaving our country, but this time with a renewed commitment to faithfully comply with it. Let us be smart enough to realize that truly, ‘real wealthy people are those who need less.’