How Entrepreneurs Are Surviving The Pandemic

 

As another year unfolds, I reminisce about how 2021 seemed to pass by unnoticed. It was like I was in a long slumber and soon woke up having too great 2022. 2021 is undoubtedly a tumultuous year for all of us. However, I have always been hopeful that the resilience of us Filipinos will dominate instead of just sulking and feeling helpless.

I have asked a few of the successful entrepreneurs in the country about their experience during the pandemic. Knowing how they literally have to crawl their business, just like a startup again. To sustain the business during these difficult times is something worth applauding.

BM: “How affected was your business during the pandemic?”

Richie Cuna: Like most entrepreneurs, despite the preparation & contingencies done. The uncertainties brought by the pandemic caught us all by surprise! Businesses were poorly affected, and various expansion programs were all deferred!

Jesselle Suarez-Hablo: This pandemic has affected the whole aspect of our business – our operations, manpower, and finances. We have stopped our restaurant operations as it will be much better than continuing and having more losses. We, however, have focused on the distribution of our healthy products and savory pasalubong.

Imelda Dagus: The pandemic has definitely affected our coffee shop. Our revenue is down by 50% because of reduced capacity for dine-in customers. However, the pandemic has also allowed us to learn new things to improve our income by looking at the good side.

Marcus Dee: Just like most businesses, mine slowed down. However, I did not let it affect me so much that it became a deer in the headlight.    Through my career covering 3 countries and multiple industries, I have learned that these are bumps in the road to a better place. So, I saw this pandemic as an opportunity to pursue a project. That has been put on hold for one reason or another. So, I used my energy in building my agritech startup business.

Alfred Carandang: Most of our pipeline projects are on hold or canceled. We cannot operate on full potential as the market for design and construction is limited.

BM: “How did you resurrect the business after ECQ?”

Richie Cuna: As early as 1st week of April, we were already on board in implementing our NNL Program (New Normal Landscape) Collaboration of all the subsidiaries under the Milkin Group:

• Fiorgelato-Reinventing the Business Model
• DM Express (Donburimix)-Create Multiple Streams of revenues
• Kurimi Milk Tea-Transformation from Brick & Mortal to Digital Platform

Jesselle Suarez-Hablo: Through determination and perseverance, hope, and through prayers, we needed to adapt with the situation and “ituloy ang buhay kahit meron pandemya na hinaharap”.

Imelda Dagus: We started pivoting to delivery service, which was not part of our business before covid-19.

Marcus Dee: Besides my startup business, I run an end-to-end waterproofing business. I repositioned the latter’s market offering based on trends I have identified for some time now.

Alfred Carandang: Slowly, we try to operate at least once a week in the office and work from home for the rest of the week. 

BM: “Has your business regained its “power”?”

Richie Cuna: Businesses won’t be the same again. But mind-setting & resiliency to adapt to changes has kept the group afloat!  

Jesselle Suarez- Hablo: I can say, not 100%. But by God’s guidance, He has made our business slowly regain.

Imelda Dagus: We are thankful that customers are back, and the business has regained its strength. I believe though, it can still get better.

Marcus Dee: I can say that my business is strategically more potent than before. Strategic moves in times of crisis are what business people with vision and courage are capable of. To avoid getting pinned down and slaughtered, one must keep moving on the battlefield. You will never know whether you will survive, but you will have better odds. Life and business are no different.

Alfred Carandang: Slowly, it is coming back.

BM: “After all these months of living in the “new normal,” would you say you were able to create a dynamic plan that can sustain your business for the next months?”

Richie Cuna: Still striving hard to bounce back! But we have pivoted quickly enough to adjust to the new normal. But needed to build a new business framework to sustain the current situation.

Jessele Suareze-Hablo: We, at Sir Jess, because of the pandemic, have paused and took a while to realize what would be our plan to stand still and adapt to the new normal. We have been so grateful that a mentor like you, Sir Butz, has always been a message away if we doubt our business plan.

Imelda Dagus: I believe we have already crossed the most critical period. We have developed the resilience and the strategies to navigate the “new normal.”

Marcus Dee: Yes. I have actually thoroughly shared this with my blogs.

Alfred Carandang: Yes, keeping the overhead expense within the average level.

BM: “What are the lessons you learned in 2020?”

Richie Cuna: Nothing in life is permanent! Life and safety are the foremost importance. Through the months of our current crisis and amid all these adversities, we learned to hold on to our faith, dreams & commitment to our people & businesses! Above all, “The Power of Prayers.”

Jesselle Suarez-Hablo: 2020 has been full of realizations. It has made us slow down and appreciate things around us-our family, pets, good health, peace of mind, and business. There are moments when we doubt ourselves, our capacity. But we learned to be resourceful and use what we have to survive the business. The lessons I learned to surpass the trials are constantly asking ourselves what God’s purpose is- why He directed us to create the company.

Imelda Dagus: Keep extra cash. Be ready for at least a one-year burn rate. A contingency plan must be in place for business continuity and risk mitigation. The mental and emotional resilience of the business owner or leader will also give the team strength to keep going. Ability to think creatively and take action, despite fear or uncertainty.

Marcus Dee: People with vision and courage are the ones who will thrive at the end of this pandemic tunnel. Vision and courage are not something that just drops on your lap from the sky. It is developed through learnings from a track record of overcoming challenges.

Alfred Carandang: That work from home, virtual meetings, and events. Whatever great and exciting plans you have can be stopped anytime by forces you cannot control. Faith in God is an essential foundation of anyone and anything we do in our lives.

I truly salute all those entrepreneurs who can sustain their businesses. Despite the economic turmoil and those new entrepreneurs who have made it possible to turn this unfortunate event into something positive for their families. 2021 strengthened all of us and made us more aware of what we may have overlooked for so long — having quality time with family, preparing for the future, and becoming stronger despite adversities. I hope and pray that 2022 will be a much better year for us.

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You may contact Armando “Butz” Bartolome for questions and more information.

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