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| UK laundry start-up |
One household chore that
is rarely done or is not a priority at home is the ironing of clothes.
Personally, I only iron out the clothes I'm going to wear during special
occasions. But in the UK there is a
start-up called ihateironing.com that just does that and with home pick-ups and deliveries
thrown in. I think this is a business that could be profitably done here in NZ.
There are a couple of firms in Auckland who are already engaged in this type of business activity. To make this even more personalised, I would do the ironing right in the home. This will minimise travelling and delivery costs, as well as the use of a van to hang the clothes while in transport. This easy to start business requires low level of capital. At the bare minimum you only need a flat iron and an ironing board. Go and check the link, this might be the road you're looking for.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
In our continuing quest for people who can serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration, we met Lito Banal, an engineering graduate from Mapua Institute of Technology (Philippines), Director of Kiwi Roofing Limited, and Chairman of the NZ-Philippines Business Council, who took time from his busy schedule for a Q&A. I've met him several times in social and community gatherings. His answers would help aspiring and existing entrepreneurs who are facing the challenges of starting and maintaining a business in NZ, while raising a family too.
Q: What's the inspiration behind your business?
A: My family is my inspiration why I am in business. I like to have that freedom where you have control of your own time and activities. My family inspires and motivates me to be a good businessman and to fulfil my dreams.
Q: What challenges did you meet while building your business and how did you manage it?
A: It is always a constant challenge when you are starting and building up a business. You have to be determined, motivated, and you have to know what will be your goal, what would you want to achieve in a certain time frame. You have to work on a deadline. You have to ask yourself "will I want to be a market and industry leader or will I be contented with what the majority does"? As much as possible, you have to determine and know the best answers to your questions and anticipate consequences of your actions even during the planning stages and before they will be implemented. Careful planning, analysis and wise decisions will always help you in dealing and facing the challenges in doing business. It is not always a guaranteed win situation. But don't be afraid or discouraged if you fail. Go back to the drawing board and take this advantage that now you will know what you should have done better to succeed. This will only make you stronger for your next step. Moving froward, know your competitors well. Look after your staff by rewarding them, they are the company's life blood. You don't only lead them, you have to work along side them and work behind them. Understand your supply chain operations, they are your partners, as their support will be vital to deliver your goods and services to your customers and clients. It is always challenging to be an industry leader. You have to be a step ahead, flexible and innovative. Pressure and hard work will always come with it. But I must tell you, it is more rewarding to be a leader than being a follower.
Q: Name 3 people, dead or alive, you'll like to have dinner with, and why?
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.
Q: Are you a cat or dog person, and why?
A: Dog, I always wanted to be the best friend of everyone, and can always count on me.
Q: Where in NZ is the place you can call your sanctuary, and why?
A: Any golf course for - 4-5 hours, time to relax especially a bonding time when I play with my son Ethan a.k.a. "Mike-Mike". This is a place that I know where I can be hopefully for many years to come.
Q: Something not many people know about you?
A: I love cooking, in fact, experimental cooking where I don't follow recipes. I am a very flexible and outgoing person and this reflects on the profile of my friends, who come from all walks of life, from the very young ones to the not very young anymore. Also, I love watching really really old Filipino comedy movies.
Q: If you could travel back in time, where and when would it be, and why?
A: World War 1 or 2 in the Philippines. I want to experience living with our forefathers, witness their miseries, hardships and how they fought for our freedom. Hopefully I would come out alive.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: I am already happy and very grateful with the blessings I have - my happy and vibrant family. I'm very fortunate in deed to have all these wonderful and very good friends around me. So my plan for the future is to enjoy life as always, to continue sharing and ready to help anytime and when there is an opportunity to do so. But as everyone says, "you just don't know what is a round the corner." I suppose, I juts have to deal with it and be ready for whatever these might be. May God continue and always guide me along the way.
