Happy New Year

New Year

A brand new year is coming.  It's time to say goodbye to 2014 and say hello to 2015.  It is around this time when we tend to reflect on what has happened in the past and we're hopeful to what will be coming for us in the future.

It was a challenging year but we eventually emerged victorious.  I'm sure that the new year won't be a walk in the park either.  There will heaps of struggles and challenges as we scale the entrepreneurial mountain.  The valleys and the peaks will be all worth the journey.  So bring it on and may the force be with us.

Wishing You All A Very Happy New Year!

Richard Branson

Richard Branson

When I put on my entrepreneur hat, I look up to Richard Branson as my source of inspiration.  In fact, I've been reading about him and following his life story since way back when I wasn't yet interested in entrepreneurship.  I can still recall his adventures in riding a hot air balloon!  That made a strong impression on me.  Here was a man who was unafraid and willing to test the boundaries in order for him to achieve his dream.  He was even back then my kind of man!  I always thought of him as an entrepreneur never a businessman.  There was a sense of adventure and romance in being labelled an entrepreneur compared to a businessman who for me sounds cold and impersonal.  If ever there was an entrepreneur army, Richard Branson would be hands down, the commander-in-chief.

As he began to climb the business world, I followed his ups and downs, and was always cheering him on whenever he was down, specially when detractors were all around him.  I felt the pain of his failures and struggles, and was glad when he was able to pull himself out of the rut.  I sort of tried to visualise myself as someone like him, if and when I get to become an entrepreneur.  He has been the subject of countless books and articles, all of them chronicling his life and serving as a beacon for aspiring and budding entrepreneurs like me.

As I continue with my entrepreneurial journey this coming new year, I'll keep him as near to me as possible---to make his challenges a real learning experience for me and to strive forward, full speed ahead, come what may.  I do hope, I'll get the chance to meet him in person someday, soon.  It is the journey that is important, it is the climb that is significant.  And when I do get to the top of the mountain, I'm very sure Richard Branson will be there with me.

Christmas holiday business

Christmas tree lights

Now is the best time to think of what business you plan to get into for the next Christmas holiday season.  Why?  The Christmas holiday season isn't over yet.  That's the reason why, while the environment is still on a festive mood, you can already watch and learn from this holiday season and prepare for the next one.  You can prepare much in advance the kind of greeting cards you would like to produce for next Christmas season.  This gives you enough time to scout for photo locations, shoot, paint, design and create your cards.  Another surefire business idea is selling Christmas decorations.  Look at what's trending this season and try to use your crystal ball to visualise how it will be next season.  Source your materials to create unique designs and decors.

Then there are the numerous toys that you can make for children of all ages and both sexes.  the use of recyclable materials would give you bonus points in terms of your love for the planet.  How about food and cakes?  Look at what were the hits of this season and aim for those next year.  How about singing Christmas carols, writing poems, creating songs, and for the more techie, develop and create apps.  Use your imagination, be creative, and innovative in coming up with products and services that you can offer for next Christmas season.

Summer business

New Zealand Gardener

This post is all about businesses for summer done by students who are on a school break.  This will not include the traditional babysitting and house sitting normally done by students throughout the year.  Until the end of January and sometimes even up to mid-February are vacation times for students.

Gardening is one business very good around this time.  The weather is just right for planting and growing vegetables, fruits and flowering plants.  The various fruit orchards are also in need of fruit pickers around this time of the year, or starting this coming month (strawberries, cherries, blueberries, blackberries, apples, grapes, and many others).  This good weather condition is also conducive for the lawn mowing business since the grass grows faster and fuller around his time of the year.

Entrepreneurship education: Otago University

University of Otago

The University of Otago is one tertiary institution in NZ that offer entrepreneurship as a career path.  My nephew recently graduated from Otago University with a Master of Entrepreneurship (MEntr).  His thesis focused on the viability of the public transport in Dunedin.  Of course, there are people who are natural born entrepreneurs that they don't have to or don't need to go to a formal study to learn and be an entrepreneur.  However, with the growing competition in all aspects of business, an entrepreneurial education would be an advantage.

When I was teaching in high school a couple of years ago, I knew of some students in our college who were enrolled in an entrepreneur-type of a class but under the Economics subject teacher.  The idea I think was to introduce entrepreneurship at an early stage so that once they finish year 13 they might be interested in pursuing entrepreneurship in university.  I believe that having a core group of entrepreneurs would be of great value to our country and it will also ensure our competitiveness in the global market.

Migrant entrepreneurs

Wellington map

There are people who come to New Zealand to specifically engage in business.  They are already established entrepreneurs in their home countries but because of certain circumstances they opt to move to another country.  However, although they've travelled thousands of kilometres and have uprooted themselves and their families, they still would like to continue to be engaged in business instead of working as an employee.  Some of them come here on an entrepreneur's visa while the others go for gainful employment and then after a couple of years and using the money they've brought with them plus the amount they have saved, start their own businesses.

The normal entry-level businesses they engage in are the various food takeaways, dairy stores, bakeries, Laundromats, fruit and vegetable shops, food retail shops, petrol stations, and many more.  Now this is not a scientific analysis but I've noticed a sort of pattern with the various businesses and their ethnicity: takeaways (Chinese, normally, although I've seen Indians and other ethnic groups engaged in this business), dairy stores and Laundromats (Indian), bakeries (Cambodian), fruit and vegetable shops (Indian, Chinese), petrol stations (Indians), food retail shops (Filipino, Chinese, Indian, Korean, Thai).

Inside the shopping malls, I've seen massage parlours operated by Chinese, cleaning and lawn mowing (Polynesian, Indian), taxicab operations (Somalian).  The founders of these businesses have travelled thousands of kilometres and endured heaps of challenges, stress and pressure just to reach NZ and start their entrepreneurial journey.  This then is the mission of this blog to highlight the joys and the sorrows of these entrepreneurs.

Fiscal year

Fiscal year

There are businesses that follow the calendar year as their fiscal year.  That means their business year starts on January 1 and ends on December 31.  However, in NZ most businesses (I think) follow the normal fiscal year that starts on April 1 and ends on March 31.  The end of the fiscal year is not only an accounting exercise but also a business exercise.  Plans, sales, forecasts and everything else has a connection with the fiscal year.  This is also the time of the year when management is doing its assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the business, as well as hiring and firing people.  Some businesses prior to the Christmas holidays go on a team-building period or exercise to prepare themselves for the coming year.  The fiscal year could also act as a benchmark as to where the business is at present, how and did it reach its goals, and also where is it going to?  Whether its in December or March, the end of the fiscal year could also be the beginning of the next step or voyage that was  dreamt by the founder/s and now being operationalised by staff.

A blog for entrepreneurs

Auckland map

I've always been fascinated by how entrepreneurs build up something great from a simple idea.  These pioneers and trailblazers oftentimes have to undergo great struggles and challenges to make their dram come true.  That is partly the reason why I started this blog---to get to know there entrepreneurs and share their stories with the rest of the planet, specifically New Zealand.  The other reason why I started this blog?

This is the end result of an ethnic forum I attended last May 2014 in Hamilton organised by the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs.  I was blown away by the talks and presentations done with regards to migration as well as the contributions to the NZ economy done by the migrant entrepreneurs.  From then on, I was on the lookout on how to nurture, propagate, grow, promote, and advance entrepreneurship here in my new country.  This blog also experienced its birth pains during the first couple of months.  Even up to the present, its still evolving into a more dynamic blog.  It's now perfect but a work in progress.  This is not just my journey but our journey in discovering Kiwi entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation and grassroots activism.

106.7 Mabuhay FM

Radio station official logo

Mid-2014 I revived my business of running a radio station.  Actually I started this sometime in August 2011 on the 87.6 FM frequency and it operated for a couple of months but had to close shop in July 2012 because of technical and financial constraints.  It was doing very well in terms of programming and listener ship but as a viable business it was not.

The chance to revive the radio station came about and with a hope and a prayer, I started test broadcasting again in July 2014.  The station is a low power FM one in the so-called guard band frequency range of 106.7 FM.  The transmitter tower was situated in the second tallest building in Hamilton (NZ) and so had a very good reception with a 10-kilometre radius.  The concept was to showcase Filipino music and culture in the 24/7 broadcasts.  However, advertisers were lukewarm about it and hence we had to stop operations after six months.  This is just hopefully a temporary situation, and we'll resume broadcasting again.

Our attempt to become digital storytellers

Portable TV studio

My wife and I met in a TV station.  We've worked on several productions since then and a few years later we had our own production company, producing radio-TV shows, audiovisual presentations, commercials, concerts, trade expos, and many more. We're now on the final step to journey in digital storytelling here in NZ.  We look at our new homeland as a blank canvas just waiting for our hands to paint the wonders of God's creation!  There are so many stories just waiting to be told and discovered. For 2015, we will concentrate on showing and telling how Kiwi entrepreneurs started their businesses to inspire budding and aspiring entrepreneurs to also move forward towards their dream.

Personally, as an entrepreneur myself, the show would be truly uplifting and eye-opening to the challenges and potentials of doing business here.  Studies have been made that NZ is a great place to start and conduct business.  We have zero corruption and government red-tape is very minimal.  Transparency is the key to making it here.  I'm really excited about the coming year because I'll be able to do what I've done before, have experience in doing and above all I'll be able to help entrepreneurs.

New Year's Resolutions

Year 2015

It's around this time that people including myself---start thinking of, writing and jotting down, and visioning what the coming New Year shall be.  Of course one has to look back first to see where one has failed or was remiss in the resolutions made for the year.  Its one thing to make plans but a big challenge to execute and follow through.  Someone or something will always get in the way.  The technique which I've finally learned through the years is to be able to anticipate the hiccoughs along the way and be prepared to deal with it.  Of course no amount of planning and preparation will make our plans foolproof but at least we have a backup plan to counter.

The traditional way of writing down your plans and resolutions have been augmented with visuals and pictures.  And if you can add sound and video to it that would be even better.  The vision board would look not only appealing but aesthetically pleasing to the senses that would probably contribute more to the fulfilment of your plans and resolutions.  Go ahead now, start making those steps to have a better, fuller, and happier 2015.

Temple View Lights

Temple daytime

For the past seven years I've seen the Temple View Lights at Hamilton, New Zealand.  It is a credit to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or more popularly known as the Mormon Church that this event in this part of NZ has become a crowd-drawing attraction to visitors from all over Hamilton and as far as Auckland and other places far and near.  Through the years, I've seen how the people running this event has become more organised and professional in dealing with the great number of crowds arriving and viewing the lights.

Temple nighttime

It's amazing how the temple (in the photos) is transformed into a festival of lights at nighttime. And what is more amazing would be the planning and execution of this major event from December 13-31 from 7:30-10:30 pm.  It is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and there is even live choir music for the listening pleasure of all ages.  Of course with the advent of new technology, selfies are made and encouraged all over the place.  There is something about the lights and the atmosphere of the place that makes coming to this place a fun and memorable way of celebrating Christmas with family, friends and loved ones.

Words 2 Live by 1

Words 2 Live by

Words really have a power of its own. I can recall the power of the lyrics of a Beatles song "speaking words of wisdom, let it be, let it be," as something that defined the parameters of my youth.  It is in this context that I'm starting a series of words from famous people, who's words have been and can be an inspiration for us all.

Even if you're on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there (Will Rogers).

Stop chasing the money and start chasing the passion (Tony Hsieh).

Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out (John Wooden).

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go (T.S. Eliot).

The challenge of learning and trying to do something better than in the past is irresistible (Richard Branson).

Dinner with Heroes 2

This is part two of my fascination of history specially the people who made history.  Sometimes I feel like I was born to late, yearning for the times of yesteryear's.  In this light, I've decided to ask people this question: name three people, dead or alive, you'll like to have dinner with, and why?  I hope for us to get a better glimpse of what makes them human.

Lito Banal

Lito Banal (NZ-Philippines Business Council)
A: My great grandfathers (paternal/maternal) - I would like to know how life was during their time.  Dr. Jose Rizal - I would like to know him more because he is the most famous Filipino for me.  U.S. President Barack Obama - why won't you dream of meeting the most powerful person in the world.

Maricel Weischde

Maricel Weischde (NZ Immigration Help Service Ltd.)
A: I want to have dinner with Bo Sanchez and just spend significant time listening and praying with me.  I listen to him almost every night and it would be an honour to have an exclusive dinner with him.  I also want to have dinner with my Grandma, who passed away when I was 9 years old.  I feel the urge to have an adult conversation with her and tell her how in my young age (before she died), she influenced me to do exceptionally good in whatever I desire.  Lastly and more importantly, I want to have the opportunity to have a meal with God casually and thank him for all that He has given me. I want to be able to embrace Him afterwards and tell Him how grateful I am for everything.

Cez Tan, Island Joe's BBQ

Cez Tan (Island Joe's BBQ)
A: Simon Gault - I'd like to get his input as to how to get people to try our food.  Kim Dotcom - he would be an interesting person to talk to and also I might be able to convince him to invest in the restaurant business, ha ha ha.  Richie McCaw - I would love for him to try our food and endorse it.

Mark Dizon

Mark Dizon (MDG Property Management Ltd.)
A: Jesus Christ, Pope Francis, and my late father.  I would like to ask Jesus a lot of questions about religion.  I would like to discuss with Pope Francis the problems of the world today.  With my late father, I would just want to spend time with him.

Virtual pets

Clean-a-dog van

If you go to any of the supermarket chains in NZ, you will find heaps of shelves devoted to pet food and animal care.  And then there are the numerous pet shops with their collection of creatures that can walk, crawl, fly and swim.  Kiwis just love their pets. They're well fed, taken cared of, even go to the vet regularly, and most are pampered too.  Just look at this van parked by the Hamilton Lake---isn't that pampering enough?  As a business, the pet sector is a viable one here.  I'm not just talking about cats and dogs but others like rabbits, fish, birds, horses, and many others.

There's even the SPCA police who goes around the neighbourhood advocating for the pets and ensuring that their rights are observed and protected.  I've seen on television and the newspapers that many have been either fined, charged or apprehended for not taking good care of their animals and pets.

When I was working as an Activities Coordinator at a rest home and the residents had a cat called Rascal, one of my duties and responsibilities was to see to it that the cat would visit the vet every six months.  The visiting was alright but the "capturing" of Rascal a few hours before his appointment was a real challenge.  He was the type that wouldn't want to be caged.

Which brings me now to the subject of this blog---virtual pets.  Recently on television, I saw an advertisement featuring a virtual dog.  There was this young girl, who was showing off and walking her dog.  Everyone she meets made a lot of reaction.  Now, live in New Zealand, a country with vast open spaces and Kiwis are generally pet-lovers.  I wonder how this virtual dog will fare as a product.  How long will its shelf life be?  And how will it compare to thew real thing?  If one was living in Manila, Hong-Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, Mumbai, London, New York or Los Angeles, wherein open spaces are on a premium, I would tend to believe that virtual pets may work out fine.  But here in NZ, well, let's see how far that concept of having a virtual pets goes.

Q&A - Mark Dizon (MDG Property Management Ltd.)

Mark Dizon

He was featured in an older post in my other blog.  I'm re posting it here since he is an entrepreneur that could serve as an inspiration for others too.  There are so many challenges and hurdles in putting up, running and maintaining a business.

The aim of this blog is for new, budding, aspiring, prospective and existing entrepreneurs to know and be inspired by the failures and triumphs of our Kiwi entrepreneurs.  I've often heard this statement "punching above your weight."  I guess the people I've featured in my Q&A have done just that.  Here then is another one of a kind entrepreneur, Mark Dizon, Property Manager and Managing Director of MDG Property Management Ltd.

Q: What's the inspiration behind your business?
A: The inspiration behind our business which is a property management company is serving God while doing the best we can to help our clients, supply New Zealanders comfortable properties to rent, give business to our suppliers and in turn giving the directors and employees of our company sufficient satisfaction financial and otherwise.  Being engaged in business gives me more time for family and loved ones.

Q: What were the challenges you encountered while building your business and how did you manage it?
A: The biggest challenge was getting new clients.  Our existing clients actually helped us by referring friends who became our clients.

Q: Name three people, dead or alive, you'll like to have dinner with, and why?
A: Jesus Christ, Pope Francis, and my late father.  I would like to ask Jesus a lot of questions about religion.  I would like to discuss with Pope Francis the problems of the world today.  With my late father, I would just want to spend time with him.

Q: Are you a cat or dog person, and why?
A: I am a dog person.  In my younger years, we had a lot of dogs at home.

Q: Where in NZ is the place you can call as your sanctuary, and why?
A: The home is my sanctuary.  It is where I relax and get privacy.

Q: Something not many people know about you?
A: Not a lot of people know that I am an International Rowing Umpire, get to travel to different countries for free because of this so I can officiate at regattas around the world.

Q: If you could travel back in time, where and when would it be, and why?
A: I would like to travel back in time to watch the Pyramids being built or watch the method of construction of Stonehenge.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: In terms of business, my plan is to expand the company (MDG Property Management Ltd.) thus serving more clients and provide more comfortable housing for the people in New Zealand.

Coast FM on Christmas Day

Coast FM logo

I'm a fan, an avid listener, of Coast FM, that plays the music I grew up with.  I think every radio station uses this tag line for their core audiences. With Coast FM I fit in very well with their target audience: the Baby Boomers, 40-64 years old, who do not want to grow old, who live life, love life, and are intelligent and opinionated.  It also says that their audience are reaching the highest earning potential (and this is where I fail but that's another story).  But 4 out of 5 isn't a bad average.

I really enjoyed the Christmas Day presentation of Coast FM wherein they played music with the festive season theme.  There were even some obscure or rarely played ones that I got to hear.  I was working yesterday and so was driving around Hamilton (NZ) with the client I supported.  He too seemed to enjoy the music, though he wasn't anywhere near the demographics of the audience.  Maybe it was the Christmas spirit that contributed to him liking the radio station.

There is something about radio that draws me to it.  I grew up right beside an AM radio station (I saw it built from the ground up, literally from the ground up because they had to construct their own tower.)  I think I was around 10 years old then.  And 40 years later I'm still fascinated, awed, amazed, thrilled, and excited to listen to radio.  In fact, this year I got to put up my own radio station (but then again that's another story).  They say that radio is a dead or at less not a growing medium anymore.  But yesterday it was alive and kicking.  As their old slogan used to say "Timeless Music."  Well done Coast FM.

Quick turnaround

An Auckland Zoo resident

I posted earlier that I've moved the more active site to another blog.  After careful thought over a Maori hangi in celebration of Christmas Day---here's a quick turnaround---I've decided to retain NZPlanet here.  We've had some very good posts from this site in the past year.  As they always say, why change something that's not broken?  Great things are coming your way via this site.  Watch this space for more exciting times ahead!

Merry Christmas

Christmas lantern

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!  Please visit, share, like, comment and subscribe to our more active blogspot NZPlanet!  This will be the new site that we will keep.

We have added and upgraded to this new site to serve you better.  In the days to come you will find our new site to be full of features that will be very useful to you.  And the new site will also be fully integrated with our revitalised website.  Your soon-to-be experience will be a great one.  Thank you for journeying with us.