Iligan's Keepsakes by Keepsakes Iligan Souvenirs and Crafts

There was a time in my life (about in 2000) when I wanted to make souvenir items for Iligan City since there's not much Iligan souvenir items a tourist could bring back home.  Just the usual Cheding's Peanuts and malongs.

But that was only written in a notebook as part of my "To-Do List" in the future.

Then, when I went to Germany in 2006-2007, that feeling again of making souvenir items for Iligan City surfaced as I toured a bit of Europe and saw that every place we visit always have souvenir items for tourists to bring back home.

Few years passed, still I was not able to even make a single item as possible souvenir for Iligan.  Then the time came in 2011 when Pat already have many requests of souvenir items from tourists he accompanied.  He then asked me if I could already start making my souvenir items.

So, I researched and tried creating some souvenir items.  In 2012, I was able to make some refrigerator magnets and key chains.  I ordered blank acrylic from Manila.  And by end of September 2012, I decided to register a name for my business.   And in January 2013, I secured a business permit to make my business legal and so that I could already pod labels on my souvenir items. 

This post really is already so loooong overdue, hehehe.   It took me quite a while to write this 'cause I couldn't get my thoughts to focus.  I had so much on my mind then.  :-)

Anyways, below were some of the first batch of key chains and refrigerator magnets I made.  I used pictures of Maria Cristina Falls and Tinago Falls taken by Pat.  I was not able to take photos of the other items though.

Framed-rectangle shaped key chain

House-shaped key chain

Small rectangle-shaped key chain with "I love Iligan" at the other side.

Square-shaped refrigerator magnets

My business is already one year old.  It is not yet really that established but somehow it's beginning to pick up.  I am currently also making a website for it.  I'll update this post for the URL when it is already complete.  

ISTIV - Succeeding in Business

July 24, 2013.  The 24th day of my new life.  From being an employee (of 17 years) to being a budding entrepreneur.  :-)

5 days before.  I chanced upon a post in Facebook about a training on "Succeeding in Business" which was to be held in Elena Tower Inn on July 24, 2013.  It's a Wednesday.  I checked my schedule.  Hmmmm... I'm free on that day.  Of course!  I don't anymore have a day job heheheh....

The poster though, only invited the hotels/inns/pension house, resorts and restaurants. So, I ask if a non-restaurant or hotel would be allowed to attend the training.  The reply was, "this is a DOLE initiative targeted at hotels and restau mam".   I got disappointed.  Sayang. Gusto ko moattend.


The next day, I decided to contact DOLE and inquire.  Since I don't have a landline at home, I asked my sister to call DOLE Iligan Office.  And I was so happy with their reply.  They said that any business could attend as long as it's a related to food.  :-)

So, I told myself.  I have a mango float consignment.  And I definitely want to put up my own cafe-restaurant in the future. 

So. 

On July 24, 2013 9:00am.  I registered to the training program at Elena Tower Inn.  hehehe

I was glad I really attended the training.  I learned so much from their inputs.  As well as the inspirational messages from the DOLE Regional Director Atty. Johnson Cañete  and the Board Secretary of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-X. 

Some of the learnings I have during the training :

1.  Operating a business is a partnership between the employer and the employee.  Both are essential for a business to succeed.
2.  A company is improved operation by operation.  Not one-time.
3.  A business operation should be planned according to the existing resources.
4.  To improve one's business, you have to benchmark with other companies that have a higher level of success than yours.
5.  To measure enterprise improvement, answer the questions  a) how is your revenue? and b) what makes you click in the business environment?
6.  Work smarter rather than harder.  Be systematic.
7.  People - workers and customers - are the asset of the company.
8.  Aside from the salary, provide intrinsic rewards in recognition of a job well done by the workers. This is a way of motivating them to always do their best in their work.
9. Keep communications open between management and workers to encourage feedback and commitment.
10.  Build team-based initiatives for improvement.
11.  One way to improve productivity is to improve the arrangements of production facilities. Implement 5S technique.
12.  Preventive maintenance is always better (and cheaper) than repairs and replacement.  Make sure to regularly clean and check the equipment.
13.  Encourage workers and managers to share ideas using joint problem-solving techniques.
14.  Continually measure your progress to see if you are meeting your workplace cooperation and improvement goals.
15.  Always monitor all aspects of the business - human resources, health and safety, purchasing/ supply chain, marketing/sales and production.
16.  To implement 5S, the company must have continued commitment from top management as well as involvement of every employee.
17.  Optimizing production flow will help to reduce wasted materials, time and energy.
18.  The staff or employees are crucial to the success of a business.  They are the front liners who deal with customers or make the products.
19.  Safe work environment not only reduces risks but also improves overall working conditions and productivity.
20.  A positive work environment is the foundation as well as the result of a good workplace cooperation.

It was a good day for me.  I have my first accomplishment in less than a month of being at home. :-)

Too bad, I don't have any photos of the event.  I sure brought a camera and took photos, but when I check earlier my files, I can't find them.  Then I remembered, I formatted my memory card because it got infected by a virus.  Thinking I have already downloaded the photos from the training.  Grrrrrr...... What a life.

We had a group photo ops with the speakers though but I don't have a copy hehehe...  I'll email DOLE and try to ask a copy of the photos. 

I was thankful they allowed me to participate.  Actually, I became a gate crasher to the training as it was really targeted on the hotels/inns/pension houses and restaurants and resorts for at the end of the program, the body was asked if the IHARRA (Iligan Hotels and Restaurants Resort Association) Industrial Tripartite Council could be organized for Iligan City.  But the content of the training though is applicable to production business.  It is also appropriate for my souvenir business, the Keepsakes Iligan Souvenirs and Crafts.  :-D

Even as a gate crasher, I got a certificate too.

You might be wondering what ISTIV stands for in my blog title.  I also wondered too, when I saw the poster for the training program.  Well, ISTIV stands for

    Industrious 
    Systematic  
    Time-Conscious 
    Innovative 
    Strong Value for Work
   
They say this is how a business should be run.  ;-)


Hmm.. I'll definitely keep this in mind.

Inspired by Bo Sanchez's Maids

Even before I got married, I have always wanted to invest in the stock market for me to have a passive income for future use.   But never got the chance to do so because I was afraid.

I was afraid because I don't know a thing about the stock market.   "Makalibog ang numbers sa stock market." (The numbers in the stock market are confusing.)

And the stories I hear about the stock market, from those who have tried investing in made me doubtful to invest in the stock market.   "Daghan daw na akansi sa stock market tungod sa pag naog sa price sa stocks." (There are many who lost in the stock market because the price of the stocks went down.)

Until in 2010.   When, one of the newsletters (or Soulfood letters) of Bo Sanchez talked about his book, "My Maids Invest in the Stock Market... and Why You Should, Too". 

In the book, Bo Sanchez shared the story of how and why his maids invested in the stock market. How they managed to set aside a portion of their salary so they can have something to look forward to in the future. 

And I was like... Jealous.  Here are the maids of Bo Sanchez, earning just enough for themselves and their family in the provinces, yet were able to save to be able to invest in the stock market.  And here I am, earning a bit more than they.  I get bonuses every year, increases in the salary almost every year.  And yet I've got nothing to show for my future. :-( 

It was like LIGHTNING STRUCK ME! 

After reading the book twice, I decided (with my husband's approval, of course, hehe) the next extra money that comes our way, I will invest it in the stock market.  And sure enough, in December of 2010, we had an extra bonus.  And I invested it all in the stock market.  Then I saved every month and buy shares whenever the money is enough to buy the minimum allowed.  And if I again receive an extra money, I add it to the investment. ;-)

And now, more than 2 years later, my investment have already grown more than 50%. 

Being a member of the Truly Rich Club has been a big help to me in my investment in the stock market.  The Club, through Bo Sanchez and his mentors, has guided me on how to invest and which company to invest to. 

Would you like to also have something to look forward to in the future? Join Bo Sanchez's Truly Rich Club and start investing for your future through the stock market.

 By the way, I am already a member of Bo Sanchez's Truly Rich Club before I invested in the stock market. :-)

The book, "My Maid Invest in the Stock Market, and Why You Should, Too", can be accessed for free when you visit the Truly Rich Club website.  So visit the site now and start reading the book and be inspired. 

God bless us all.  :-)

 

Mango Float

Finally! After making mango float for several times, I have already taken a photo of it, hehehe...

In less than a week, I made two sets of mango float.  The first was for Ate Amy, Ate Luz and her family which I made last Sunday, October 14, 2012.  And the second was just tonight.  I made for BobNewYork who arrived from New York City last Tuesday, October 16, 2012 to again visit Iligan.  I made him a promise that the next time he comes to Iligan I will make a mango float for him.  And good thing he arrived before Pat and I will leave for Manila. 

Mango Float ala Revilla :-)
Pat's favorite.  But, of course, he likes the one I make the most. :-D

Will be meeting Bob with the other IBS members tomorrow, October 19, 2012 at Jacko's Kan-anan.

Now Open for Business :-D

I am supposed to write blogpost about the previous travels but I got busy the past few weeks.  It has been almost a month now since I last posted.

Have finally started my business! Just, one of my businesses, actually.  Hehehe.  Though just a small step yet.  I've always wanted to get into the food business yet I never got the  guts to start one. 

But. 

Last month, my friend, Jedy, who is into the food business, accepted my proposal for a consignment.  I'd prepare the food (snacks and desserts) and she sells them.  Since I still cannot have my own store, I want to try the consignment first.  And on Wednesday, July 25, Jedy asked if I could make a mango float for 30 persons which she will use the following day for an event.  Since it was such a short notice for me, I told her I'll try and text her if am able to make the mango floats. 

However, since it was my first time to prepare the mango float in individual packs (I usually prepare them in big containers, for family consumption), I miscalculated the ingredients.  So, I was not able to make 30 packs.  So, I texted Jedy I could not deliver her order. 

The following day, since the individually packed mango float is already there, I thought of doing an introductory selling of my mango float. Not much profit just so I'd get to introduce my mango float business. :-)  I brought some to my office to sell it to my office mates.  I was very happy to learn that they like my mango float!   My husband also brought a few pieces to his office.  And his office mates  also like the mango float!

Last Friday, August 10, I prepared another set of mango float.  However, Jedy's stall at night market will not be open on Saturday.  Pat thought of his friend Langging who owns a barbeque eatery near the public plaza.  He called her to arrange for a consignment.  And luckily, she agreed.  Yes!  

Hmmm... this could be a sign that I am on the right track.  :-)

So, why mango float? 

Well, mango float have been the favorite dessert I like to prepare at home.  Plus, I have always been frustrated with the mango float sold in restaurants/ cafes here in Iligan.  It is so commercialized, most of what you see and taste is the Graham crackers. 

Unfortunately, though, I forgot to take a photo of the mango float I prepared.  Next weekend, I will be preparing another set.  So, I'd make sure I will already have a photo of my mango float, hehehe...