First of all, I’d like to apologize to that part of me who loves to write about my thoughts. I didn’t realize until today that it has been 3 years since I last posted on my blog. 3 long years!! I hope it’s not too late to rekindle that part of me. I would like to bring back that side of me who just writes about my life regardless of who reads it. Anyhow, life has been pretty okay for the past months. So I hope to allot some energy into writing.
The thing, I think, why I stopped writing in 2018 was because that period was a little tough for me that I hate to share what was I up to – until I forget about writing.
And then the COVID-19 happened which made all things a little worse at the beginning. So here’s what kind of happened from my very last post ’til today.
(Left) When Saori was hospitalized | (Middle) my newly upgraded photobooth set up | (Right) Badminton when face mask was not required
2018
This is a year after I resigned from my job without any solid plans at all. It hunted me that I don’t know where specific I was going to. I was directionless. I feel like I was just hustling to survive. My small photobooth business was actually doing pretty well that time (actually took off, like 200% growth vs. 2017) but it was so hard because all the operations and marketing was on me. It was a one-man show. Ako lahat nagbubuhat ng gamit, set up, take ng photos, etc. I do enjoyed it, only that, I felt all alone doing it.
During this period, I was questioning my choices in all aspects of my life. And what’s so hard was the fact that I was away from the people I am closed with, from family and friends. I don’t have friends in Davao so my routine was just home and if I have errands for the business. That’s pretty much what my life was in 2018. I didn’t travel too because that’s a sacrifice I made when I resigned from my job so I can focus on growing my ’empire’ which obviously didn’t materialized at all haha.
I also got Saori my dog who played a really huge part for my sanity. I got a companion and a friend (and headache hahaha).
(Left) La Union trip with my barkada | (Middle) Christmas dinner with family | (Right) My new amazon beshies
2019
This was a breakthrough year for my photobooth business. I made more than half a million in revenue (which was very huge for me at that time haha). The year kind of relaxed me for a time. ‘Kind of’ because I am that type who gets anxious about the future. I felt like all good things will come to an end which I am afraid of haha. Like every month, I was worried about what if I get lesser customers for the next months. This is so wrong in so many ways, I know. It’s just hard to unwire the brain from it.
Anyway, in the 4th quarter of 2019, I also invested in another business which is Amazon selling wherein I was able to build my own ecommerce business. This point somehow help reshaped my life, especially in 2020 when nobody really expected a pandemic in this modern era. This period also opened my journey to ecommerce and its endless possibilities. I still didn’t know if I was in the right direction, but I think I was making progress.
Oh, and I made friends online! haha. My Amazon batchmates are awesome and I love how we support each other with our respective businesses. I met my Amazon BFF named Andrea who’s the best in our batch. Until now we still talk to each other about not just Amazon but life, chismis, and other things in general.
(Left) Day before the lockdown in Davao City | (Right Top) Wedding of my friend despite pandemic | (Right Bottom) Dined in with mom and sister with mask
2020
The start of the year was pretty hard and slow for me, which was before the looming danger of COVID-19. My photobooth business was slow which made me so worried. However, I got a coaching stint together with Andrea (it was a dream come true!) for an Amazon course which pays pretty decent for a part time position. So that kind of offset what I lost from the business.
And then lockdown happened..
And so I have to close down the entire photobooth business which was so hard for me (although I was already thinking about selling it to focus on ecommerce). Until now, it has not generated any income but once we’re back to normal, I think I would hire people to help me operate it.
And then I met a Canadian client (Jeremy) whom I admire for his ambitious goals and humble demeanor. He’s an electrician who wants to build his own Amazon and Ecommerce agency. So I help him achieve that. I still work with him and we have seen rapid growth since we started.
About that coaching stint I had, I left them after 7 months. haha. I know I have to leave when my principles is different from the organization. I don’t want to be involved anymore from something I stopped believing in.
And then, and this is the best part of my 2020…
In September 2020, I successfully launched a local ecommerce store here in PH. Since then, it has reached milestone after milestone every month. That’s for sure was the highlight of my 2020. It gave me a totally different and new sets of confidence and direction and vision of how my future could be.
I don’t know how much impact this pandemic has to me because I felt like the year just passed so fast. I mean, I sure missed the normal life of no masks in public and the gatherings outside. But probably because I don’t really go out a lot haha. I’m a home boy. I spend a lot of time in my room. I didn’t gain weight as others. Didn’t get bored so much because thats basically my life in general – on a lockdown hahaha.
(Left) Brought Saori during our Badminton play | (Middle) Inside the quarantine area upon arrival in the airport while waiting for the result of my swab test | (Right) Dinner in Bangkerohan after Badminton
Present
I started the year confidently mainly because of my growing ecommerce business and a good run with Jeremy. Plus the fact that I was able to help my sister to have a source of income is really something I am proud of.
I am aiming for my local store to grow significantly in the next few years. The brand I am building I think will create an impact to our society. It’s an ambitious goal that I recently set. I don’t know how will I do it, but I hope this time, I stick to what I wanna do (because I tend to jump to different things). I hope I can find investors too who will believe in this project. Or if not, I hope my current business can earn enough to fund the project.
Also, I fall in love on a whole different level with badminton. I just love playing (and I tend to be competitive too haha). I play everyday and train twice a week. I actually miss the court right now because we are on strict lockdown again since June 5. I also made friends because of joining different groups. They are funny and happy to be with.
This year is also the period where I do few donations to contribute in helping few people who are much affected of this pandemic. I always pray to have the heart to give. I know all these blessings I am receiving is God’s way of blessing others.
That’s pretty much the “in-betweens’ of the life I missed to write. It revolves around business and “all others” because that’s basically me. I’m a boring guy with huge ambitions. Nothing interesting hahaha.
I just wanted to say too that I wish this pandemic will come to an end very soon. I know that’s what we all want to happen. I hugely miss the normal life with no fears of getting a contagious virus, where we can all be carefree as we go to the mall, eat street foods in the night market, play Badminton, dine in to restos, travel to different places, and all those normal stuff that people would do pre-pandemic. Although the reality that we can’t truly get back to what and who we were before COVID-19 is as bright as the sun, I’m very much positive about living under a new normal where fear about the virus is non-existent. Cliche as it may sound, but this for sure will just be a thing of the past.
Oh, lastly, I hope I can get my vaccine very sooon. :(
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