Entrepreneur’s success anchored on diversity

CEBU, Philippines - With her perception of branching out in diverse entrepreneurial genres to avoid monotony as an effective expansion strategy, a 29-year old Sagittarian finds herself thriving in the business arena through such unique approach for already five years.

Daisy Gazelle Mabanto began her career as a capitalist in 2009 when she decided to venture into the salon business.

She then studied hair science and became a licensed hair dresser before she opened the D’ Beauty Wonderland Hair and Beauty Salon with an initial investment of P300,000.

She believed that in the world of business, one must have the desire for continuous learning and dedication to hands-on management.

“I want to train my people, not the opposite way around. And when you do hands-on, it’s different. You could easily recognize if there is something wrong and apply necessary corrections immediately. In the business, you can trust no one but yourself,” she said.

Mabanto who graduated Bachelor of Science in Psychology felt the urge to put up her own business when she was 25.

As a person who craves for adventure and hates monotony, she eventually spent the revenue she earned for two years from her salon business to invest in an accommodation venture.

With a start-up capital of P350,000, she rented a two-storey building beside her salon to house 12 rooms with uniform rates at P5,000.

Although she doesn’t earn that much in her lodge business compared to her beauty salon, she clarified that she has no regrets putting up the former and is actually contented with the average yield she gains from it.

Most of her customers who stay in her lodging house are either long-staying clients or transient guests such as reviewees and students who mostly check in from March to December.

For her salon, she added that there has been an upward trend of sales every year in such business especially during peak seasons from September to March.

She also noted that a start-up should not be blinded with the outstanding sales turn-out in the business and be in a hurry to branch out.

“You have to wisely manage your profit. Do not be in a rush to expand. If you do such, you are spreading yourself thinly and there you will start to fail,” Mabanto stated.

She makes sure that quality service and customer satisfaction should be guaranteed at all times as Mabanto considers the word-of-mouth marketing from her clients the most effective and significant advertisement she can invest into.

“You have to invest on your client and ensure quality first. The profit will follow. The next thing you know, you’ll be surprised,” she added.

Even with how hectic she has turned out to be with the different businesses she is currently into, she admitted she doesn’t find herself stressed at all since she loves what she is doing.

“The moment you started a business, that’s the time that you sell yourself. I’m selling beauty. Look at me. I’m beautiful,” she said jokingly.

Her salon is situated at 261-A Don Mariano, Cui Street, Capitol Site, Cebu City.

Mabanto said that despite the stiff competition, she manages to come up with her original business strategies and not replicate her competitors’ techniques.

She then advised aspiring entrepreneurs to discover their passion and try their luck in the business arena.

“Find a business where your talents fit and work will always be fun,” she advised.

She further revealed that she plans to venture into more businesses in the future which will include a restaurant to be opened by the end of 2014.

At present, Mabanto is taking a diploma course in culinary arts at the Philippine School for Culinary Arts in preparation for her next goal.  (FREEMAN)