Mommy Ginger
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Bounce Back For Business: Manuel Music Project Inc.

Music is an important part of our lives, pandemic or no pandemic. We’ve been filling our home with music. It just relieves stress for all of us in the family — plus Zeeka loves singing. She would always tell me that she loves singing more than dancing.

Manuel Music Project Inc. (MMP) is a passion-based business, using music as a primary tool to impart values, disciplines and skills to its students. It is a home for talents. We help aspiring individuals discover, improve and develop their musical talents.We want musicians and talents to leave a legacy. It also provides music productions, renders live music on concert and events, and professional advisory and consultation.

The company is a legacy that Edison and Romelle Manuel envisioned to leave to their children.

For over 19 years, Edison has been conducting music training and workshops, locally and internationally. He motivates and inspires aspiring musicians to excel musically by incorporating the disciplines and values in music lessons, directing and crafting innovative programs to equip and enhance individuals and music groups.

His popular songs as a songwriter and music arranger include “Rumaragasang Pagpapala”, “I Promise”, “More Blessings”, “Shake The Heavens” and “I Want You More” from the album “I Promise” which was released in November 2003.

Edison, together with his wife who is also a musician, Romelle, launched Manuel Music Project Inc. on August 7, 2017, to provide an environment that will make learning and experiencing music a meaningful and fulfilling pursuit. The brand tagline “You Can Play” is a strong statement of the mission MMP has embraced in establishing the company.

Manuel Music Project believes that anyone who has the passion in music and desire to learn can play music, given the proper training and coaching. In MMP, the music instructors bear the qualities of an effective coach, one who has the heart and will to teach and develop a student to become the musician he/she wants to be.

MMP conducts individual and group, face to face music programs and workshops for all ages. It also provides entertainment music for all occasions, including corporate events. The business earns mainly from tuition and workshop fees from students.

Their services are delivered to students and clients face to face. With the risk and protocols implemented in light of the corona virus outbreak, their students were restricted to either come to our studio or music coaches had to go to their homes. Some clients had to cancel their bookings with them.

With this pandemic, they are now looking at going online/digitally. “We plan to aggressively obtain state-of-the-art equipment and online platforms available for our business. We also need professional help and necessary funds in implementing this,” said the couple.

Some of the changes that they will implement is that they would be gearing towards delivering online music lessons and partnering with online payment providers. Because of this, they will also train our coaches on how to effectively deliver their online services.

“It is important that there is a Business Continuity Plan in place. To be prudent and intentional in setting aside, not just working capital fund, but also contingency/emergency fund,” said the Manuels when asked what business lesson did they learn from the recent happenings.

Support local business and visit Manuel Music Project Inc. (MMP)!

Facebook: https://facebook.com/manuelmusicproject

Website: http://manuelmusicproject.wordpress.com

Spread the word!

Sincerely,

P.S. Please follow https://www.facebook.com/groups/BounceBackPH/ to see how you can support the Philippines.

P.P.S. Please follow #BounceBackforBusiness #GInspiration #GoLocalPH for more Local SME and Professional stories that we can support!

P.P.S. If you want to be featured next, please visit this link https://mommyginger.com/smes-and-professionals-unite-during-this-time-of-crisis.html and for Women Founders, please visit this website and sign up: http://startupwomenconnect.asia/

#BOUNCEBACKFORBUSINESS: 1PesoHosting.Com

Businesses, especially those with no online presence, have been reading a lot about establishing presence online and how to build a website. When your building a website, you’ll need a hosting provider. Today, the featured local business for my #BounceBackforBusiness Series is 1PesoHosting.com.

Ginger: Hi Herbert! Can you tell us more about your business?

Herbert: 1PesoHosting.Com is a small web and server hosting provider that started around year 2002. We have hosted more than 1,000 websites and have clients in the SMEs, large enterprises, government and non-profit organizations. We cater mostly to Philippines based companies but also have foreign clients.

We are one of the cheapest providers with web hosting plans that starts as low as Php 100/month for a 4GB space and Php 350/month for unlimited hosting and our support teams are purely local. Our servers are located in the US, Hongkong and Malaysia and we provide domain registration services, shared web hosting, virtual private servers (cloud servers), dedicated servers, SSL and server management services.

Ginger: Why did you start your business and what was the mission behind it? 

Herbert: We started 1pesohosting.com because back in the days, web hosting in the Philippines was very expensive. We realized that by offering a US based server, would be able to help SMEs build and host their website at a fraction of the cost of doing it locally. Our mission is to enable companies bring their businesses online with the least cost and effort as possible. This starts with having an affordable domain and email/web hosting service.

Ginger: Can you describe your business model? How do you earn?

Herbert: All our services are availed via subscription and we accept credit cards, paypal and bank transfers/deposits.

Ginger: How were you impacted by this pandemic? How were you impacted by the Enhanced Community Quarantine? 

Herbert: Majority of our customers prefer bank deposits since their companies would issue checks to pay. Payments have been delayed and some potential leads/projects were put on hold therefore cashflow is very much affected. We pay our data centers and support staff monthly regardless of the situation so even if customers are unable to settle their bills on time, we still have to pay our bills.

Ginger: After this lockdown and pandemic is resolved, how can people help you moving forward?

Herbert: We are looking for more companies who are in need of our services. Some changes that we will be implementing for our business is that we will be promoting online payments more compared to bank payments. However, since majority of our clients are businesses who does not usually pay via credit card, we need to find ways to have businesses settle bills online that would be acceptable as per their accounting policy.

Ginger: What are the business lessons that you have learned from this? 

Herbert: Maintain better cashflow for situations where revenue will be delayed

Thank you so much, Herbert for sharing with us the story of 1PesoHosting.com.

Please visit them at http:/www.1pesohosting.com / and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/1pesohosting

Stay Safe!

P.S. Please follow https://www.facebook.com/groups/BounceBackPH/ to see how you can support the Philippines.

P.P.S. Please follow #BounceBackforBusiness #GInspiration #GoLocalPH for more Local SME and Professional stories that we can support!

P.P.S. If you want to be featured next, please visit this link https://mommyginger.com/smes-and-professionals-unite-during-this-time-of-crisis.html and for Women Founders, please visit this website and sign up: http://startupwomenconnect.asia/

#BOUNCEBACKFORBUSINESS: Forest School Philippines

We’ve been inside our homes for a month now. Lately, I’ve been feeling the effects of staying indoors. It’s mostly affecting my mood. I can’t wait for the time when we can go outdoors and explore again.

Speaking of exploring, our children will need this, too. So today, for the local business that I want to feature, I interviewed Forest School Philippines. Honestly, this is the first time that I have heard of them and what they do is quite interesting.

Ginger: What is your Business? Can you tell readers more about it?

Forest School Philippines: Forest school is an approach that takes place outdoors where children are in charge of their learning through unstructured free play. As a result, children can think for themselves, speak their minds, and keep on getting up every time they make a mistake.

Ginger: Interesting! Why did you start your business? And what is your mission? 

Forest School Philippines: It started as a personal mission because I was stuck for the most part of my life. I was in a career that did not give me joy and meaning. Finding forest school was marrying the 3 things I loved–education, nature, and children. At the same time, we want children joining forest school to discover and unlock their own genius so that they can share their gift to the world.

Ginger: So how do you earn? Can you describe your business model?

Forest School Philippines: Profit-first. Zero capital (except for the UK training I invested in myself). I earn through weekly sessions, private coaching sessions, special events (birthday or summer camps) and speaking engagements.

Ginger: I know it has been tough for schools lately. How about your business? How were you impacted by this pandemic?

Forest School Philippines: Despite the fact that nature is good to boost children’s immune system, the children’s safety is utmost concern. All sessions were postponed to a later date.

Ginger: How can people help you moving forward? What kind of help are you looking for? 

Forest School Philippines: I need help in creating awareness about Forest School or forest kindergarten as an option alongside the other progressive or non-traditional schools. If Scandinavian countries have been practicing this for years, and they have the highest literacy rate, then they must be doing something right. I am also looking for forest school assistants and volunteers from different parts of the country whom I can train, so we can spread this movement fast.

Ginger: Because of the things happening now, what changes will you be implementing in your business? 

Forest School Philippines: Teaching people how they can do it themselves, as long as they have access to space and nature.

Ginger: Oh nice! Since a lot of business owners will be reading this, what are the business lessons that you have learned from this? 

Forest School Philippines: This is a season for planting. It’s a time to work on our marketing, revisit the processes, and strengthen the connection with potential clients.

Thank you so much for sharing your story.

If you all want to learn more about Forest School Philippines, please visit the links below.

http://forestschoolphilippines.com

https://facebook.com/forestschoolph

https://instagram.com/forestschoolph

P.S. Please follow https://www.facebook.com/groups/BounceBackPH/ to see how you can support the Philippines.

P.P.S. Please follow #BounceBackforBusiness #GInspiration #GoLocalPH for more Local SME and Professional stories that we can support!

P.P.S. If you want to be featured next, please visit this link https://mommyginger.com/smes-and-professionals-unite-during-this-time-of-crisis.html and for Women Founders, please visit this website and sign up: http://startupwomenconnect.asia/

#BOUNCEBACKFORBUSINESS: Mama V Delicious

There are friends that you meet who are always ready to lend helping hand whenever you need it. Amidst the chaos in social media, there are a lot of good news and positivity going around. One of the kindest and helpful people that I know is Tina from Mama V Delicious.

More than a week ago, my friend whose family runs a hospital called out for help. They were in need of PPEs, food, etc. I helped them and called out for help from friends, and one of the people who quickly responded was Tina Vitas, the owners of Mama V Delicious.

The food industry is one of those who are badly hit by this epidemic. Big food chains and home based businesses like Mama V Delicious are all equally affected. This is because of the disruption in the supply chain — ingredients are hard to come by these days.

Let’s get to know more about Mama V Delicious

Ginger: Hi Tina! Can you tell our readers what your business is?

Tina: Mama V Delicious is an online food delivery business. I spent 17 years in the United States. I, then, decided to come back home to the Philippines in 2004. My mother (Mama V) and I (Tina V) decided to open a restaurant called Mama V Restaurant on the Ground Floor of Providence Tower, 2471 Leon Guinto Street, corner Estrada, Malate, Manila.

Then around August/September 2018, we started Mama V Delicious. Our mission is to bring my Mom, Mama V’s 60-year old recipes cooked with passion & love to a wider audience. It is a related, but a separate business from Mama V Restaurant which we started in March 2004.

Ginger: Can you describe your business model? How can you earn? 

Tina: Offerings are Single Servings, Party Trays, Dine At Home and Set Packages. We are a company, earning both through good volumes of orders (that is the goal) and a well thought out margin.

Ginger: How were you impacted by this pandemic and by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ)? 

Tina: Business slowed first and then picked up. The challenge now is finding ingredients & supplies.

Ginger: How can people help you moving forward? What kind of help are you looking for?

Tina: We need to have more options for suppliers for all our ingredients, particularly ones that can deliver. This is very crucial in times like these! We, of course, are still in the process of getting known through social media marketing, PR & the help of influencers. Spreading the word to other people that we exist will help a lot.

Ginger: Because of the things happening now, what changes will you be implementing in your business? 

Tina: To have more payment options online, to upgrade other financial accounts related to business to be online, to use more online tools for operations, to be more on top of stocking of fast moving items, to give monthly incentives to employees based on their performance and the company’s sales.

Ginger: What are the business lessons that you have learned from this pandemic of Corona Virus?

Tina: How can we be more inclusive and socially responsible (as best as we can be) in our respective businesses that value goes from us, to our employees, to our clients and to the marginalized in society? I think the last few decades have seen too much hoarding of resources that created such insane levels of inequality in most parts of the world. The much awaited reset button is here. I hope we all use it wisely!

Ginger: Thank you so much, Tina! I really hope that businesses think of inclusion and become more socially responsible after this. More power to you and your company!

Please support her by visiting her website and social media accounts: http://www.mamavdelicious.com

@mamavdelicious.ph on Instagram

Mama V Delicious Meals on Facebook

Stay safe!

P.S. Please follow https://www.facebook.com/groups/BounceBackPH/ to see how you can support the Philippines.

P.P.S. Please follow #BounceBackforBusiness #GInspiration #GoLocalPH for more Local SME and Professional stories that we can support!

P.P.S. If you want to be featured next, please visit this link https://mommyginger.com/smes-and-professionals-unite-during-this-time-of-crisis.html and for Women Founders, please visit this website and sign up: http://startupwomenconnect.asia/

#BOUNCEBACKFORBUSINESS: Featuring Dev Depot

Today, I’m so honored to be sharing such an endearing story from parents of a little lady named Zen, who started a business called Development Depot or Dev Depot.

dev depot logo

We know that it’s essential to for our kids to always be physically fit and strong. We do this by encouraging them to exercise and get into different kinds of physical activities and sports. Today, our feature is about Brian Tan’s business where they create pediatric therapy equipment, kids’ furniture, wooden toys, and Montessori materials. What I love about them is that all their products are made by Filipinos, from start to finish.

The Story of Dev Depot

Brian and Anne started their business because of their daughter Zen who is living with Down Syndrome. They said that their daughter started physical therapy at just 2 months old. Ideally, families should replicate what happens during therapy at home (since therapy is just a couple of hours per week). They sourced for therapy equipment that we can use at home, and in doing this, we saw the need for locally-produced equipment. Since a lot of these items are huge, shipping from overseas will more than double the price. Brian then did a crash course in woodworking to be able to make the items that their daughter needs.

Their mission is to provide high-quality, sustainability-sourced play and therapy equipment to Filipinos.

They do in-house manufacturing, marketing and sales, as well as event rentals. Mommy Anne does most of the marketing, customer service, and market research tasks. Daddy Brian, on the other hand, plans the design and also is very hands-on with production. They have assistant craftsmen on board, who help mostly with sanding, painting and finishing. For the functions that are beyond their main competencies, such as wood milling and latheworks, they outsource the work. They also launched our #OnTheGoPlayground a few months ago, which is basically a mobile play area for playdates, parties, photo shoots.

Dev Depot equipment

Business and How the Corona Virus (COVID-19) Affected their Business

As you can imagine, events-related businesses are one of the most affected by the pandemic. All their events were rescheduled to a later part of the year. They are also unable to finish and deliver (and consequently collect) a few huge orders because of the Community Quarantine. Mang Boy, one of our assistant craftsmen, is unable to come to work as well. With the help of a few friends who pitched in, they opted to give him his wages even if he doesn’t come to work, to help tide his family through this crisis.

When asked about what help our countrymen and the community can offer, they mentioned that word of mouth marketing / advertising is more than enough help for them.

Brian and Anne with Zen of Dev Depot

“We currently have a couple thousand followers on Instagram. Still a small number, and we’d love to reach more moms, therapists, and school-owners – people needing our products but sincerely have no idea that such things are available from local builders,” added the couple.

The couple also mentioned that it’s so difficult to compete with mass-produced items from nearby Asian countries. The other countries really sell at such a low price. Their edge is providing value for money instead by choosing quality raw materials. This makes their products durable, lead and toxin-free, child-safe, made with love – the works! “Though we have a long way to go in promoting locally-made products, we are thankful for initiatives like this which seek to help Philippine businesses like ours,” the couple added.

Since this unforeseen event happened, I asked them what changes will they be implementing in their business. They said that they would probably set aside a buffer for emergencies in our working capital. Since this is a first for many of us, quite a number of medium-scale businesses are struggling to provide weeks to months worth of salaries to their employees.

They continue to say that as much as they’d like (and other business would like) to give enough until the Community Quarantine ends, many businesses are still trying to cope with its financial impact, and they can only do so much in providing the emergency funds that our people and partners need.

They say that the lesson that they have learned is to put in place business continuity / contingency plans. Also, business owners should provide emergency healthcare benefits to all employees.

To follow and spread the word about Dev Depot, please visit https://facebook.com/devdepotph and https://www.instagram.com/devdepotph/ on Instagram.

Thanks for continuously reading these SME and local business features!

P.S. Please follow https://www.facebook.com/groups/BounceBackPH/ to see how you can support the Philippines.

P.P.S. Please follow #BounceBackforBusiness #GInspiration #GoLocalPH for more Local SME and Professional stories that we can support!

P.P.S. If you want to be featured next, please visit this link https://mommyginger.com/smes-and-professionals-unite-during-this-time-of-crisis.html