Tags: Entrepreneurship, Malls
By KC Santos
TAGUIG CITY, METRO MANILA – With a starting capital of only P2,000 but augmented with a ton of passion, Janina Arias turned her hobby into a small business and has learned important lessons she now shares with aspiring young entrepreneurs.
Soul flower Accessories is the brainchild of Janina Arias, who shared the same passion for jewelry making with her childhood friends and now business partners Monique Odoǹo and Patricia Peralta.
“When I was younger, I helped my mom in her shop and she pays me five pesos for stringing the pieces,” says the 23-year-old entrepreneur.
With a legacy of jewelry making behind her, she says her mother was always a believer in what she does and appreciates every single piece of jewelry she makes. To her mom, what she does is at par with more expensive accessories you can find in stores.
Before getting into the business, Janina spent a few months working as a call center agent. Finding herself jobless last February, she finally had enough courage to turn her hobby into a small business with a starting capital of P2,000.
She started selling her own creations in a small spot in her mother’s jewelry shop.
A few months later, with the help of her mother, she put up Soul Flower Accessories and started her own shop in Market! Market! mall. Her friends Monique and Patricia later joined the business, who now help her make accessories.
“Me and Patricia, we like Bohemian designs while Monique is into art noveau. Our individual styles show in the accessories we make so there’s variety,” says Janina, adding she doesn’t want her customers bumping into each other wearing the same accessories.
Their products sell from P50 to P1000 as the most expensive item. Janina says their business is earning but admits that she’s struggling to make ends meet.
“My mom gave me this space for free for the first two months. Now, we have managed to pay rent but it’s hard to shell out that much money,” says Janina, who admits to having adopted a frugal attitude due to her business.
“Almost every piece that I have for the interiors of the shop are stuff from our house. We believe that one shouldn’t shell out that much money if you can make do with what you have around and not spend at all”.
The three friends are earning P10,000 to P15,000 every month depending on the orders that come in. Last month, they recently consigned with Leona, an art gallery-cum-restaurant in Quezon City.
Janina has plans of expanding their business by putting up stores in other malls in Makati. Seven months in the business and the hands-on entrepreneur that she is, she speaks about challenges for aspiring entrepreneurs.
“Manpower, it’s just the three of us making the accessories so when we run out of stuff for display, we have to replace them as soon as possible. And the spot for your store must be strategically planned.”
“In terms of developing the store itself, don’t do a million things all at the same time. It takes subtle progression,” she adds.
Despite these challenges, Janina advises young people like her to engage in business early on. She also says running a business does not mean one misses out on his or her youth.
“I still do the regular teenage stuff even with my business. You don’t really have to be all out disciplined. When you start a business with something you really like to do, it feels less of a responsibility,” she says.
In her case, she gave up law school for her business but says she gets more fulfillment being an entrepreneur.
Janina concludes that a hobby can be turned into a business. She adds that passion fuels her business, not just the prospect of earning money.
“I’d chose this business over any profession or job. I’m glad that this business has grown into something. It gives me fulfillment,” she says.
Soul Flower Accessories is located at the ground floor of Market! Market! in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Or check out their Multiply site – http://soulflowerdesigns.multiply.com/. For orders and inquiries, get in touch with Janina Arias via (0915)8578410.
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Very inspiring story… Love your designs, it is definitely one of a kind maybe because it is full of passion. Continue to inspire people with your story… More Power to Soul Flower.
wow.. that was very inspiring and wonderful story.. i hope my business will do the same.. more power to soul flower and godbless..
SoulFlower rules!