Micro-entrepreneurship in a Battered Economy

Business opportunities are getting bleaker as the global economic recession deepens. Just observe the number of shopping bags people do carry nowadays. Seldom we see tote too many amid crowded malls. Reasons to this are obvious. News about the worsening economy is well above our heads and we are conditioned that everyone; big and small, are all vulnerable.

But I don’t fully agree, because the degree is not equally as critical for small enterprises as it has on big-businesses. In fact, today’s crisis offers a bigger and yet, a novel marketing dimension more favorable for new small businesses starting from the ground up. The revival of post World War II models may emerge, but never be in the same essence since revolutionary changes have already taken place. While nobody can say for sure what exactly it could be, your knowledge how these changes will likely occur is your best bet. The changes to expect could well mean returning back to the traditional way of retailing.

The Philippine Vendors Association (PVA) believes that ways are sliding back to the basics but not without modification. ICT and other modern technologies require us to rethink and reinvent traditional methods. While it is well likely that new business models will develop, navigating towards an unknown stream is nevertheless crucial. And to vouchsafe our survival upon our own gut-feel and intuition is not enough unless we take this journey together.

Recently, the PVA has successfully obtained dealership arrangements with three direct-suppliers. The first is engaged in the importation and distribution of motorcycles. The second is a direct importer of household items (“no dust-bag” vacuum cleaners, fruit juicers, blenders and rotary grill), and the third is a wholesaler of computer accessories and multimedia supplies (blank CDs, DVDs, USBs, etc.). More dealership agreements are expected shortly. But I cannot disclose any of these yet until its finality.

PVA offers three ways to start your business. A member may start as: (a) business operator (b) a dealer and, (c) operator and dealer. There is no difficulty in imagining how an entrepreneur can start operating a small business out of these products. Consider:

1) Derive and enjoy the benefits of owning a dust-bag free vacuum cleaner for your own personal use. Buy why not use it instead of keeping it idle? You can maximize its use by either: using the same unit to demonstrate the product to your neighbors, sell them the vacuum cleaner and earn COMMISSION. Or, you can start your own home cleaning business servicing your office or neighbors.
The same principle applies to other household wares – fruit juicers, blenders, rotary grill. You can start selling the wares and use it at the same time to serve and sell cold refreshments.

2) Motorcycles. Financing is made possible through a micro-finance rural bank, depending on your eligibility. There is a model available ideal for either single or tricycle operations. In rural areas where slopes are steep, the use of “single” (no cab attached) is more appropriate in ferrying passengers. You can also use the motorbike for servicing homes and offices of their cleaning needs.

3) Computer accessories and multimedia supplies. No need to further elaborate. Just imagine how profitable it would be for you and convenient for others, if have blank CDs, and DVDs (branded and generic), CD cases, card readers, keyboards, mouse, hub, Bluetooth, etc., on your shelves or in your drawer. You may well become the next CDR-Prince or Princess in your community or even in the office.

In gist, PVA is here to support our members on their way to progress and self-sustainability. There is a power in group leverage and collective bargaining waiting to be unleashed.

You are encouraged to become one of the empowered ENTREPINOY. Be one of the beneficiaries of this BAYANIHAN concept PVA is developing.

Sincerely,


Tony Israel - Chairman, PVA