Business group gives free entrepreneurship tour

SOME aspiring entrepreneurs will get a rare chance of learning directly from the experts through this year’s Business Journey at the 15th Franchise and Business Expo slated on Oct. 14 to 16 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

Organized by the Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. (AFFI), the Business Journey is an exclusive expo program which reinforces the group’s commitment of empowering entrepreneurs. It was first launched and held at the same expo in 2015, and was met with positive feedback from both mentors and participants.

“The program is basically a quick tour through the ins and outs of putting up a business or getting a franchise,” said AFFI Expo Chairman Ricardo Cuna. “It’s AFFI’s customized guide for anyone who wants to learn about running a business or preparing for a new venture.”

There are seven stations or pit stops featuring key areas of entrepreneurship that the participants will visit in the “tour”: from business-mind-setting, customs and commercial laws, to tax management, financial loans, and digital business solutions. These stations will be managed by longtime AFFI-partner organizations and government agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Intellectual Property Office (IPO), Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines (CSR Philippines), BPI Ka-Negosyo, PLDT SME Nation, and GoNegosyo.

But perhaps, according to Mr. Cuna, what participants would really be looking forward to is the chance to sit down and get a one-on-one talk with chief executive officers and presidents of already-established enterprises.

“There is a station in the tour where they will not only meet but also discuss and consult their businessrelated concerns with entrepreneurs who have already made a name in their respective industries. It was a huge hit last year. I think it’s because it gave the participants a boost of confidence and inspiration, hearing stories and personal advice from successful businessmen who were once aspirants like them,” Mr. Cuna said.

The seminar-tour will be done in sessions throughout the event with three sessions every day. Business-aspirants who are interested in joining will have to preregister online to secure a slot and pay P300 inclusive of expo ticket, Business Journey tour, and snacks. Pre-registrants will get to pick what time slot will best fit their schedules, although walk-in participants on the event day itself will still be allowed.

However, as part of AFFI’s advocacy and service to the community of aspiring entrepreneurs, the first 90 individuals who will pre-register online will get to avail the package absolutely for free.

For more information, call (02) 501-5449/ (02) 659-4065, e-mail to: secretariat.affi@confluenceasia.com, or visit http://bit.ly/2aO8qrs to register.