"If you can dream it, you can do it, (If you can dream it, you can do it)," said the famous Walt Disney.

Many have been inspired by these terms, leading to diving into business from various races, including ‘Filipinos’. But, most ordinary people who dream of having their own business have the same problem—

investment. But they said, "Filipinos are strategic," he said. There are various gimmicks just to make money.

There is money in the garbage

The ‘REX Ladies’ group proved that it can live up to this saying. The group of women in Valenzuela City who are now busy with their business from their creative minds. From coffee foams, milk, and gossip they make colorful bags and purses.

Loreta Colibao, president of the said group in Barangay Gen. T. De Leon, of said city, is how they started this livelihood. He said their group wants to help women in their unemployed area. So when they have a small investment, they immediately attend some seminars to learn how to make strips and that is where they develop various products.

Government assistance

Because of their ability and earning skills, various branches of government helped the team to further improve the project. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provided them with financial assistance and sewing machines. Improving product quality - color and material selection - with the help of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). They are supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in improving their designs and sales methods. The former brand of their product "Basura Mo, Buhay Ko", was changed to "Ecological Creations", to be more persuasive even abroad.

Today, it is not only the group that earns money but also the women in the various barangays of their city who need income. Their 25 suppliers of strips (fields folded and joined together to form long strands), they pay 5 pesos each.

Maricel Castillon, homeowner and one of the suppliers: “I can make 300 strips a month”.

It has come a long way

The price of their wallets starts at 30 pesos and increases depending on the size and value of the accessories attached to it. In 2015 when their business started and if they used to sell only in their barangays, now (literally and figuratively), it has come a long way like Pampanga, Mindanao, Manila and even abroad - Japan and Dubai. Because of the great success the group is reaping, they believe it will continue to grow. Above all, they are proud that they are not only helping the mothers of their area, but also to mother nature.

Is diligence and perseverance all that is needed?

According to others, they have tried many times to enter the business. But they seem to be ‘unlucky’. So they call successful businessmen ‘luck’. You need that (luck), they say when you do business.

"Just love your business, work hard, study hard, and you need hands on," is the advice of Arlene Suarez from the Capitol, Pasig City to those who want to open a business, whether it is big or small.

The business of authorized dealer Arlene is now in its 11th year. He franchises a well-known cold drink with a variety of flavors.

“It is important that you study carefully what things you should consider and pay attention to in order to grow your business. They are important if you really want to make money and stay in business longer, ”he added.

"It doesn't seem like luck, I just did diligence and perseverance," said Marilou Aguilar, 52, of Malabon City, who in 6 years succeeded in her chosen sewing business.

Marilou was only renting sewing machines and sewing machines when she started sewing jeans in 2011. Now, apart from sewing machines and sewing areas, she can no longer compete with the quantity of orders she supplies. his well-known market, the SM Malls.

Expert advice

Roel Manarang, owner of many businesses in the country, founder and publisher of Tycoon.ph, the award-winning business and finance blog in the Philippines, has advice for those who want to enter the business or those who are discouraged, “ There is no short-cut to business success if it does not involve determination and hard work, ”he said.

It is said that many successful entrepreneurs go through first and face severe situations before they grow. But because they believe in their product or service, they have overcome it and succeeded.

Manarang said, "Some entrepreneurs come from rags to riches and their stories somehow inspire other entrepreneurs to success".