Frozen treat to cool profit
Starting a business is often perceived by many as an expensive venture considering that it needs a startup capital. True enough, money is undeniablyan essential in most businesses but in some cases, taking the journey to become financially able only requires a meager investment but needs hardwork.
That is how an ice candy vendor started with his venture to a better livelihood, proving that good attitude and virtues are the traits that have led to his successful venture.
twenty-six- year- old Alfredo Soria, a resident of Barangay Pasil in Cebu City, is proud to say that what others often fail to appreciate now helps his family and other families of ice candy vendors with their day- to- day expenses.
At the age of 18, Soria used to work as a food crew in a fast food chain in Colon Street for four years, an experience that exposed him early to the world of work and the realities of life. " Nidako man gud ko nga gianad sa trabaho,"
the vendor shared. " Gitudlo- an ming maninguha gyud kung di man sa eskuyla sa trabaho pud." ( I grew up learning the importance of hardwork. We were taught to really strive not only in our studies but also at work).
He said earning a minimum wage was not enough especially when he already have to fend for his own family. He had to find for other means to earn aside from the regular salary he received from working in a food store.
Side business
So, while working he decided to start his own side business which he described as something he had always an interest in — making the famous ice candy.
" One reason nganong ice candy akong napili nga ibaligya kay halin gyod siya sa among
barangay ug sayon ra sugdan kay di man
kinahanglan dako ka og puhonan, ( I opted to sell ice candy because its very saleable in our barangay, it's easy to start with and it doesn't require a huge capital) " the Cebuano vendor said in a street interview with
The FREEMAN which accompanied him in selling one day in Barangay Pasil, seeing first- hand how ice candy sellers like him go about their daily challenges.
The most important equipment an interested ice candy maker should have is a freezer or refrigerator. One time, his family bought a second- hand freezer mainly for household use, it costs P13,000.
Eventually, he thought he could essentially make use of the equipment to start producing ice candy which is a type of home- made frozen refreshment in the Philippines made of water, milk, sugar, fruit flavors and sometimes coloring.
Using P400 as capital, an extra money he earned from his food serving job, the trader then purchased plastic ice candy wrappers, the needed ingredients and kilos of mangoes—his first ever ice candy flavor.
When he observed that his earnings from selling ice candy could feasibly support his family in terms of financial needs, he decided to resign as food crew and fully focused his attention on improving his once side business into a full-time job.
Work hard and pray
And he never failed to do well in his first crack in the world of entrepreneurship emphasizing that he has just done what he believes could make a person succeed— work hard and pray.
The vendor for seven years said he has never lamented that he was not able to pursue a college education as God has given him a big blessing in disguise and that is the modest, small business they have.
Some people may overlook and underestimate their business but he stressed this is better than doing nothing. The truth is this has become a source of livelihood for several self employed Filipinos.
However, he said that having a startup capital is not enough to progress in business as the person's hard work and perseverance should prevail and be done.
Door-to-door selling
Soria who is fondly called " Kuya Wally" by his regular customers also roams around the street corners in barangays San Nicolas and Sawang Calero—aside from Pasil—bringing with him a handy ice box of more or less 300 pieces of ice candies a day.
The humid summer weather might put his health at risk seeing him walking under the sun, but he said he just never fail to wear a cap and a long sleeved shirts and drink a lot of water to protect himself from possible health problems.
" Lahi ra man gud kung magpuyo ra ka sa balay kay mas dako man og halin kung mosuroy gyud ka," he noted. " Especially karon kay pwerteng inita
hapit tanang tawo aside sa akong mga suki
maagian nako mopalit gyud." Fortunately, he could sell all his ice candies everyday to his customers who are mostly children, students, senior citizens and the
" tambays." At the end of the day, he could bring home more or less P600 as profit.
He sells his ice candy at P6 for avocado and buko flavors and P10 for salad flavor. He usually prepare a variety of flavors every two days.
The Soria family produces diverse flavors such as mango, buko, avocado, salad, cookies and cream, guyabano, mango float, and ube.
Her wife Janice B. Soria, 27,and his brother helps him in making around 450 pieces of ice candies every two days, selling seven days a week from 10 a. m. through 5 p.m.
" Unya ako gyud mangunay pamaligya sa mga balay- balay," he
noted. " Kay dugang na sa gasto kung magsuhol pa ta sa mamaligya."
Although he hires at least two individuals to sell his other ice candies to other nearby barangays, paying them P2 for each candy they can sell.
Soria, who is a father of three, added they make sure they could produce and sell more ice candies during the hot days because the demand is always expected to rise.
However, the business still continues throughout the year not just during summer.