Young entrepreneurs reap profit from own passion

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu is blessed with a swarm of business-minded youth. Among them are Ken Onozawa, 28; the Sihs—Piper, 25, and Alain, 29; and the Theresian Rookies—Maureen Eliot, 19, Jayneil Enriquez, 19, and Shane Yapcoy, 20. 

These three groups of young entrepreneurs have been driven by their own ideals in order to pursue and challenge the boundless possibilities of the unknown and defy the notion that business is for the seasoned chosen few.

For these young entrepreneurs, venturing into business is not merely about getting into the finish line of wealth and fame. For them, their starting line became the emblem of their business. It all started with each recognizing their dream and pursuing their passion.

Onozawa has already been making a name in three different but somewhat similar businesses in Cebu: an events organizing company (Spectrum Entertainment), a clothing line (Rhipstop Soul Clothing), and a branding agency (NINJA Brand Strategy).

Coming from a family of creative minds, it was not a surprise that Onozawa wanted something different. 

By the time he was in college, he figured that he was more into graphic designing, so he took up Information Technology and Advertising.

On his third year of studying advertising in Cebu, he decided to pursue studying graphic designing, advertising, and branding in the US.

After finishing his studies, he worked for Virgin Mobile in California for a year.

With that teeming creativity at hand, he then decided to come back to Cebu. Harnessing that passion for creativity became his ultimate goal in establishing Rhipstop, Spectrum, and NINJA.

"Coming home in Cebu, by far, is my biggest achievement, and I'm happy to be here. I think now is the right time as well to be here in Cebu, with so many start-ups of businesses by young people sprouting here lately," Onozawa said.

He admits that competition is quite tough given that Cebu is now home to many local and international brands. Because these companies want to stand out, he said companies are looking at building relationships with their audience by building their brands.

This becomes an exciting time for many branding agency, let alone his agency, NINJA. And his plans for all his businesses? "Never tell them your next move," he says.

Like Onozawa, Piper and Alain Sih have been influenced by their own family’s love for animals.

With this innate passion for animals comes their idea of putting up together Piper's Petshop, which showcases a wide variety of animals—from the typical domestic animals like cats and dogs to the exquisitely exotic ones like chameleons and colorful tree frogs.

Having put up their first branch on M. Cuenco Avenue in Banilad in December 2007 and their second branch on Don Ramon Aboitiz St. in St. Patrick's Square recently last April, they explained that having a petshop is not an easy job to do, especially when it comes to taking care of all the animals.

They explained that when one decides to be in this kind of business, seriousness is an optimum requirement.  “The lives of the animals have to be taken care of; one should not ignore the fact that each animal is treated differently according to its own needs,” they say.

Despite the demand of their business, work has transcended into play.

"If you're venturing into a business especially like this, you have to love what you’re doing and it should be your passion," Piper said.

Up and coming business called Sui Generis by three graduating Mass Communication students of St. Theresa's College Cebu has also been starting to make a name in the online business industry.

Maureen Eliot, Jayneil Enriquez, and Shane Yapcoy came up with the idea to put this business with a common desire that all three had-- fashion.

Given the fact that they still consider themselves "rookies" in the world of business and are still studying for their last year in college, they confessed that balancing school and business becomes their biggest challenge yet.

But because of their deep passion for fashion, priority and time management become their "teachers" in running their business.

The three admitted that they did not start with a very large capital.

Driven only by their passion, creativity and a mere P1,500 at hand, they started making their own products by altering their very own clothes and making it into something new.

They did their own photo shoots, having themselves as their own models, and started promoting their products on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Having blessed with family and friends who fully-supported and believed in them, promoting and selling their products became more efficient and convenient.

By the time they earned their first revenue, they did not instantly binge on buying their personal wants. Instead, they used this money that they earned for the benefit of their business to make more products.

"Bottom line is, sacrifice. We really sacrifice a lot. But we know that we will get to that day that everything will come easier and every effort that we have put in now will pay off," Enriquez said.

Young as they are, these youth have exemplified what the Cebuano youth are truly capable of: creativity, dedication, and passion.  

The question is, how does it take to become one? Onozawa answers, "Just be yourself. Chase your dreams. Focus and be inspired with the world around you. Stop being afraid. It's your life."  — Gifmira Therese H. Pepito (STC Masscomm Student)/JMD (FREEMAN)