Hi Hive Friends!
My thoughts of today: Don't ask, "What if it doesn't work?" Ask instead, "What if it does?"
Yes, what if it does?
Has anyone followed me from the start of my journey here on Hive? I have shared my life story – from being a domestic helper in Hong Kong, making and selling food to earn some extra money, to doing additional side jobs for cash (knowing it was risky).
Should I finally go back home to the Philippines?
But now, as I must decide soon if I should extend the contract with my employer in October for another two years or not, I am thinking more and more often of returning home to the Philippines to start my own food selling business there and be able to live together with my son again. You know, I really love to make food, and people love my cooking and keep ordering from me. I feel truly happy and joyful working in the kitchen (and I am a real food lover myself, hehe!).
My business Idea: selling Food!
My idea is to prepare the food (for example Biko, Maja Blanca, Cassava Cake, Puto Cheese, Ginataang Bilo Bilo, Pansit Bihon, Suman na Kamoteng Kahoy, Lumpiang Shanghai/Gulay, Adobong Maskara, Paksiw na Bangus, Pakbet, Pork Menudo, fried fish and more) at home and then deliver it using a car, so that I have not to rent an expensive pitch. My idea is to sell the food on places like schools, churches or universities.
Apart from selling food I might earn a little additional income by writing on Hive and hoping that my new YouTube channel might grow.
Which location to choose?
I am still thinking about what the best place to start my business would be? For now my first - and obvious - choice is the capital of the Philippines, Manila, because there are so many buisness opportunities and of course, above all, my son is going to school and living there! But also Tagaytay could be an interesting location... It's not so far from Manila, and maybe you remember that just recently I spent a vacation there and liked it a lot: Tagaytay has less trafic and thus better, fresh air (good for doing my sports), a cleaner environment and is in general less polluted than the capital. There are many tourists, less criminality and the costs of living might be a little bit lower.
Questions for my readers:
Does anybody of you also think about opening a business, too, or has already done it? Then I really would love to hear your advice/opinion on a few things:
What starting capital would you think might be needed for a beginner like me? Actually, a good friend of mine is supporting me by accumulating some Hive in Binance so that I have some captital to begin with, but sometimes I still have some doubts if I would be able to compensate the high costs of living with my earnings ...
How do you like my business idea? Do you think I could successfully realize my dream of selling food (doing what I love to do)? Do you maybe have any additonal suggestions?
It's not an easy decision to quit my job in Hong Kong which neither makes me rich nor gives me real freedom and satisfaction with what I do but still provides me the certainty to be able to survive and support my son and family in the Philipppines on a modest scale. What would you say to encourage me to do the tempting but also risky step to start my own business and realize my dream?
Would you prefer Manila or Tagaytay to open a food selling business and what are the reasons for your preference?
I didn't want to let you completely without any photos, so here we go:
I on my preferred beach in Hong Kong, reading the motivational book "Think and Grow Rich" while thinking about my own future!
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Life as OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) in Hong Kong might be hard from time to time, but nevertheless, I know I would miss the city. There are so many nice places, and I have collected so many precious experiences and memories associated with this amazing place.
Biko & Puto Cheese!
I came here after reading your #SarapPeroHealthy post.
Hmm, it's not an easy decision to make and both have different effects..
If you're going to quit and return home,
.. Being with your family, so no more homesickness and you will be there for your children growing up
.. Your passion so you're more dedicated to this
.. Do you have enough savings to keep afloat? Let's say worse scenario, your business if not doing well or not gaining profit, will your family still be able to pay bills and put food on the table?
If you're going to stay in HK,
.. How long are your planning to stay? If you stay, can you endure another 2 years being away from your family? Can you save in those 2 years?
.. Not your passion, but only just as a means of livelihood
I wanted to say follow your heart, but I think it's better to ask guidance from the Lord (sorry for being religious all of a sudden). Sometimes, whatever we desire, it might not be given because God has better plans for us. So pray for it, and maybe the Lord will guide you.
But if I were to decide for you, since I can see you're so passionate about cooking, I think you should focus on that. 🙏
Thank you very much for your balanced answer, which considers both the pros and cons of my idea. That's very kind of you, @wittyzell!
Yes, the sticking point will be the financial side of my venture — whether I can earn enough from my sales in the long run or not. I have some support to get started... and I hope my business will eventually become profitable... One can never really know before... but I want to try it and give my best.
May God help with that, too! 🙏
Yes, I think if you give your all, you'll have no regrets! I really hope you succeed if you'll go into business.
Hello @gen-quimba! Whatever desire you have in your heart, it surely is planted by Him. I believe it will work out knowing how persistent and industrious you are in whatever your mind decided to focus on doing. Success may not be an overnight process but it will precisely work out. Consider me the biggest fan cheering you on. May it be very soon, or after another contract but girl, you are truly heading for a bigger one. Way to go friend. Godbless!
Thank you so much for encouraging me and giving me some confidence, my "biggest fan"! 😍
I surely am. And will continue to be one! 😇😇
Hmmmmmm, choices.. If it were me, I would go ahead and try ur own food/catering biz. It sounds like u have thought about it lots. As for location, I like visayas and the cleaner air will add years to ur life. I don't like manila at all.. been there, done that. 😉😁🤙🌈
Thank you for your opinion, @chinito, it's very appreciated! I will think about the different options... it's not an easy decision...
I wish good luck and all the best for your future plans, and I am sure you can succeed!
Thank you a lot for encouraging and believing in me, @jaki01! 😘