Small Businesses Ideas For OFWs
The iSavta Team | 13.11.2019
“Ber” months are coming pretty soon. And yes, soon enough, 2016 will be over. Another year of nothing but working our shank off to earn a lot for our family and loved ones. But, until when are we going to “do” this? Isn’t it time for us to step up our game and make the most of the last quarter of 2016?
Stepping up our game means finding ways to move our money and earn extra while working abroad. Let’s make the rest of 2016 profitable.
If you have someone at home that you can trust, then you might want to consider grabbing a business opportunity in the Philippines. Don’t know what and where to start? Here are some small business ideas that you can start with. This will not require a significant amount of money to operate. If you are interested, read below!
Food Carts - I remember a story of a woman who became a millionaire because of her Arroz Caldo business. Once in her life, they were not able to pay their electricity bill and the supply was cut off. She was able to find the amount to pay the bill but instead of paying it off, she used the money to cook Arroz Caldo and sold it to her neighbors. After a few weeks, months and years, she became a self-made millionaire owning different branches of her famous arroz caldo. She franchised it and it is one of the most franchised food cart in the country.
Food Cart franchises can range from Php30,000 to Php250,000 depending on the product, equipment, and package. But, there is of course a monthly royalty payments when you do franchising business. If you want, you can start your own food cart business by selling easy to cook/make food like siomai, hotdogs, sandwiches or potato fries.
Laundry Service - You may need some amount to buy all the equipments like washing machines and dryers but, this business is growing rapidly in the Philippines. Compared to the lifestyle from 20 years ago when Moms are “home-based”, many Mommies and young women today prefer to work and live independently. This would mean that they don’t have time to household chores like laundry anymore.
Bakery - There is money in bread, they say. And yes it’s true. The profit in bread is much bigger compared to other food businesses. If you are in an area where you can put up a small bakery, then give it a go. You might also want to invest on a small delivery van to expand your business. You don’t need much people to start a bakery business. You just need one reliable “masador” to whip up that gorgeous smelling “pandesal” everyday.
Cellphone Loading Business - In the Philippines where majority of people are on prepaid cellular phone service, a cellphone loading business is a major score. To start this, all you need to do is to go to your nearest local distributor like Globe, Smart, Sun Cellular and buy your SIM retailer card. The capital is as low as 1000 pesos.
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Frozen Food Business - Who doesn't love a good ‘ol Filipino breakfast with Tocino, Chorizo, Corned Beef and Imbutido? Most Filipinos cannot live with cereals and milk alone for breakfast. We need rice and frozen freakin food! If you have an old recipe and style to make these easy breakfast food, then it’s time to start your own Frozen Food business. You can make deliveries to offices and schools. Mommies will surely buy especially if they have kids that goes to school everyday. Baon Meals for the win!
Water Loading Station - We know for a fact that water from the tap is not safe to drink anymore. That’s the reason why water refilling stations became a huge business success not just in the Philippines but all over the world. Only a few countries can actually drink from their tap without worrying about contamination and diseases. If your village will allow, start running your own water loading station. You might need to spend for the equipments but it will be worth it. Everyone needs water. It’s NOT something that you SHOULD NOT buy. It’s a necessity.
Sari-Sari Store Business - I personally don’t like sari-sari store but, it is something that you can rely on when it comes to everyday needs. I don’t like it simply because neighbors will tend to make “utang”. But, with all due respect to small entrepreneurs with sari-sari store, it is a business that saves bills. I remember the time when we have one in front of our house. There were times when we don’t have enough money to buy food for dinner. We just simply open a can of sardines from the store and dinner is served. There were also times when selling popsicles and ice saved our electricity bill.
If you have an idea for a business, no matter how peculiar and weird it is, go for it. After all, all these millionaires started small. Henry Sy for example, he was just a poor shoe polisher. Now, he is the richest man in the country and one of the richest in the world. His small shoe store became SM Super Malls.
We will discuss the part 2 of this small business ideas next time. For now, start planning your own business venture. Who knows, that weird funny idea on your head will bring you success and lifetime blessing.
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