Apart from working from home, moms dream of becoming their own boss and starting a business. But what holds them back is the thought of investing a big amount and losing their capital. It made us wonder: can you start a business with just P1,000?
READ MORE ABOUT STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS:
- How to Take Photos for Your Online Business, According to a Professional Photographer
- 8 Tips to Follow If You're Opening an Online Store for the First Time
In Smart Parenting's community, Smart Parenting Village, one mom asked the very same question and of course, our members did not disappoint. Below are their small business ideas that can help turn you into a budding entrepreneur.
Sell plants
Did you also become a plantita during the community quarantine? You can actually profit from your greens by researching how to propagate it, suggests one mom. “I bought and planted herbs—sweet basil, mint, rosemary, tarragon, and other vegetables—then I sell it here in our village.”
It’s also what actress Aubrey Miles does to to earn a little profit from her huge plant collection. “Propagation is [when] you cut [the plants] and then you grow [them again]. So, I sell them to get my money back,” she says.
Sell food
If there’s one type of negosyo that boomed during the quarantine, it’s the small businesses that offer delicious homecooked meals. We’ve featured a number of success stories from those who sell lumpia, bread, and cakes!
One mom shares, “Uso ngayon dito sa’min ang mga merienda like kakanin, palabok, lumpia. Mabenta at patok!” Another suggests, “Sopas, mami, goto, tokwa’t baboy—pasok sa malamig na panahon.”
If you’re thinking of starting your online food business, assess your skills (are you good at cooking or baking? Do you have a specialty dish?) and if there’s a demand for it in your area. Good food is not hard to sell but you also have to make an effort promoting it.
Just keep this in mind: “Mas mabilis umikot ang pera ‘pag food business, but risky lang kasi kailangan mo talaga i-maintain ang malinis na food for your and your customers’ safety,” says one of our Village moms.
Become a reseller
A number of moms also turned to reselling for additional income during the community quarantine. Products range from frozen food, coffee, bottled food, face masks, face shields, and even beauty products.
The downside of reselling is that you only earn a small amount per piece sold (because of the suggested retail price), but if you are madiskarte and able to sell a lot of items, you can earn as much as P4,000 to P5,000 monthly. Interested? Find out how you can start here.
READ MORE ABOUT STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS:
- How to Take Photos for Your Online Business, According to a Professional Photographer
- 8 Tips to Follow If You're Opening an Online Store for the First Time
Sell preloved items
If you’re determined to start a business, one mom from our Village says to play to your strengths. “Kung ano ‘yong hilig mo and ‘yung tingin mo na in demand. ‘Yang 1k mo mag-bo-boom 'yan,” she shares. “For example, ako mahilig ako mag-shopping ng gamit ni baby kaya nag-open din ako ng shop for babies.”
If you have an eye for spotting trendy clothing, you can also resell clothes from the ukay-ukay. A number of moms in the Village are into it! You’d be surprised how many people love buying preloved items—even celebrity moms like Kylie Padilla are turning it into a business!
