Philippine Business, Franchise & Investment info at MagNegosyo

By Carina Roncesvalles

Innovation is one of the main ingredients for a successful business. However, it may be risky to put up a business in the untested market but when the business formula proved to be a hit, the success is sweeter. This, in a capsule is the story behind Ice Monster - the monster on the business of iced desserts.

With Ice Monster, the delicious possibilities are endless. The iced dessert mainly consists of ice shavings made more exciting by a variety of toppings such as mango, starwberry, brownie fudge, cookies and cream, blueberry and peach, choco banana, buko pandan, kiwi, Japanese kakigori, coffee jelly, mango pomelo, aloe honey, peanut, red grapes, saba langka, choco waffle, and taro red bean.

Continue Reading Ice Monster Business Profile

By Carina Roncesvalles

Franchising has been a buzzword in the business community. Budding Filipino entrepreneurs who already have the capital to start an enterprise include franchising in the roster of its business options because of the tried and tested formula that runs the franchise business.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) defines franchising as a method of doing business where the buyer (the franchisee) runs a business by using the system and trademark of the seller (the franchisor).

The DTI noted that the franchise investment generally includes: franchise fee which ranges from P200,000 to P4 million, depending on the product or service of the business and the store or outlet set-up; marketing study; store design and layout assistance; training programs; leasehold improvements (outlet construction); equipment and signage; pre-opening marketing expense; and pre-opening supplies. It added that the recovery period of investment ranges from six months to three years.

Continue Reading Philippine Franchising 101

By Carina Roncesvalles

A problem can sometimes be transformed into an opportunity. For Aquabest, the problem of getting safe drinking water from the faucet turned out to be an opportunity to handle the business of providing the best source of water.

“We saw the problem of water, that people cannot depend on it for drinking. We saw the need for people to have access on the present technology of producing healthy pure water,” Aquabest Chief Executive Officer Carson Tan told Magnegosyo.com.

Continue reading Aquabest Franchise Opportunity

By Carina Roncesvalles

Most Filipinos are well accustomed to the brands that they use that sometimes, they say the brand name first before the commodity that they need. In a sari-sari store, a buyer would ask for “Colgate” when he actually meant toothpaste. In the case of Internet cafes, Netopia has proven to be the “Colgate” in the market.

Starting with only four computers in its first branch in Katipunan Avenue using P100,000 initial capital, Netopia now has 180 branches, including four branches in Bangkok, Thailand. From this network of Internet cafes, 96 are company-owned while 84 are franchises.

Continue reading Netopia Internet Cafe Franchise Business

By Carina Roncesvalles

The year 2007 will be the year for the Filipino entrepreneur, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said a few days before the nation bid farewell to the year 2006. The government has been encouraging budding entrepreneurs, including overseas Filipino workers to invest in country by putting up small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The hardworking entrepreneurs and professionals, English-proficient service providers and highly-skilled workers are the pride of the Philippines. The Filipino labor force contributes not just to the Philippine economy but to the economies of several countries as they work as migrant workers.

Continue reading 2007 Is The Year For Filipino Entrepreneurs

By Carina Roncesvalles

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are big-time businesses in the Philippines. The SMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy as these entities make up 99.6% of registered enterprises in the country, employ 69.9% of the labor force, and contribute 32% of the economy.

More than just being business ventures, SMEs take a key role in the Philippines as these establishments assure that quality products and services are within reach of every Filipino nationwide. SMEs also contribute to the equitable distribution of income and the poverty alleviation campaign.

RA 8289 or the Magna Carta for Small Enterprises defines an SME as “any business activity or enterprise engaged in industry, agribusiness and/or services, whether single proprietoship, cooperative, partnership or corporation whose total assets, inclusive of those arising from loans, but exclusive of the land on which the particularl business entity’s office, plant and equipment are situated, must have value falling under the following categories: less than P1,500,001 for micro enterprises; P1,500,001 to P15,000,000 for small enterprises; and P15,000,001 to P60,000,000 for medium enterprises.”

Continue reading Small & Medium Enterprises in the Philippines.

By Carina Roncesvalles

Doing business involves risks. And with risks involved, there is the natural necessity to be extra careful in taking every step towards taking a role in the business environment – whether through a single proprietorship, a family business, or a conglomerate.

Location, location, location. These are the key factors that spell the success or failure of a business venture. And in terms of location, the Philippines has always been on the map of viable business locations worldwide in almost all industries.

A humble country composed of 7, 107 islands is the Philippines lying at the heart of Southeast Asia. But more than just offering itself as a home, the Philippines has a lot offer to the smart businessmen.

Competitive labor force, government within reach of business ventures, regulatory framework supportive of private sector-led economic growth, and strategic location in Southeast Asia – these are the factors that make the Philippines a viable place for doing business… Continue reading Doing Business in the Philippines

By Excel V. Dyquiangco

Who would have thought that belly dancing’s most famous icon would indulge in a career close to her heart, aside from show business? In her full 28 years, Regine Tolentino followed a unique pathway after giving birth to her first child.

“I began to sew dresses for my child,” she says. “Sometimes, I sew dresses for some kids I know and give these as gifts.” Later on, an idea started to form in her head. Knowing that show business is not that stable as a career, she wanted to share her talents to others.

Regine presented her children’s wear to Rustan’s and the company loved her handiwork. From then on, she began supplying the company with her dresses. It was about seven years ago when she finally gave birth to one of her longtime-dreams.

And so, Regine’s Women’s and Children’s Wear materialized on March 1999, which was later renamed to “Regine’s Boutique.