New Business!

Excited about this!

More info here: http://daipaidong.multiply.com

Not Much Progress Yet...

I mentioned in my previous post that I am working on a website project. I've got the hosting, I've got the domain name and I pretty much have the idea of what I want. It will initially be done on the wordpress platform, since I am doing it myself and need something I can easily understand since I am no computer programmer. I am aware though that I may eventually need the services of Denver Search Engine Optimization if I want our website to be easily searchable through Google and other search engines and to have a higher ranking.

Because I am currently busy with being (temporarily) a stay-at-home breastfeeding mom (since I'm on self imposed maternity leave) and my boy is currently sick :(, my website is coming along VERY slowly. Oh well, as long as it's progressing, I'm happy. There are things in life that just have to come first, and my family is definitely it.

Portable Business

I'm currently working a new website -- what I hope will be a good online business for my family. You see, although my husband and I are both physicians, we believe that we should spend a lot of time with our kids, hence we're not really spending ALL our time in our practice. The problem with a medical practice is that no presence = no patients = no income. Hence, we really need an alternative source of income, one that we can operate from home or from wherever we are.

The in-thing right now is having a business online. This is a good thing because with the internet, you can actually work from home. Or even between patients. Or even on vacation. It's practically "portable"! That is, if you have a good website and a good internet service provider so you can provide the online services and support that are needed for your business. You also have to determine what sort of web hosting would be best suited for your needs (is it joomla web hosting, or UNIX?) How familiar are you with web hosting terms?

Since I'm not getting a computer programmer and I'm no computer expert, I'm going with Wordpress because that's what I know best. I'll let you know when our pet project is out. (Keeping fingers crossed!)

Car Shop?

I guess boys will be boys. You know the stereotype of toy cars for boys and Barbie dolls for girls. My husband is into cars. His dream business is a car shop where he can get to fix and enhance cars. He's a fan of sports cars like the Ferrari (he has the whole collection of toy cars from Shell), Lamborghini and the rest, although he knows that such cars are impractical choices here in the Philippines. I do not know if there is a market here in the Philippines for a shop that caters to luxury and sport cars, something like the pontiac supercharger where hard-to-find parts and auto supplies can be available and searchable online. Maybe we do need to do research. If it's feasible and we have the resources to open up such a business, why not? It would be a great business, and he'd be doing something he loves.

Business Communication

The reason why unlimited cellphone plans and portable landlines are so popular nowadays in the Philippines is that Filipinos are very keen about keeping in touch. That's why we now have cellphone companies which offer special deals on SMS and phone calls to and from other countries, especially where a large number of Filipinos work. It keeps families connected, through communication if not through physical closeness. And that's "just" for personal and family reasons. Imagine how important constant business communication is.

This is the reason why there is an emerging market for Busines VOIP. It is important to have constant communication with the people you do business with. It is through communication that things get clarified, misunderstandings are avoided and deals are set.

Choosing a Web Hosting Plan

Although I've been thinking about getting a new website for my online business, I've been hesitant to take the plunge because I am aware that having a good host is very important. I'd want one with a reasonable price, good service, loads of pictures and less down times. I'd like one which is also easy to use since I might not have the budget to hire a website designer and might have to do it myself, even with my limited knowledge. I've been doing some hosting comparisons because I am still not very sure about which host is best for my needs.

If anybody has a good recommendation, I'd be happy to hear about them.

What People Do To Cut Costs (And What Businesses Will Thrive)

Things people will buy even if they are tight on cash and the ways they try to cut costs (hence are "recession proof" businesses, if you play your cards right):

1. Food. People will still buy the staples. That's why the rice problem is such a big issue here in the Philippines. People will actually line up to buy rice. Of course, now that there is less buying power, it's the cheaper rice that people want. Fancy restaurants, however, may suffer because less people will be eating out if they are almost broke.
   
2. Clothing. I'm not talking designer clothing that would run up into the five figures. Second hand clothing shops enjoy better business nowadays because their wares are cheap. So do clothing wholesalers.
   
3. Shelter. People still have to have a roof over their heads. Small condos and apartments will still have some business because people will still have to rent the place and would forego large houses with large rentals.
   
4. Utilities. Electricity, water and communication tools (telephone, cellphones, internet) are considered essential nowadays. People will still use them, but will just think of ways to try to save on these.
5. Toiletries. Soap, tissue paper, napkins, baby diapers. People will still have to buy these. They will, however, look for cheaper deals from wholesalers or look for alternative brands.
   
6. Appearance. People still want to look presentable even if they are a little short on cash. Women will try to look for cheaper makeup or wholesale cosmetics, so that they will still look good with a lower cash out.
   
7. Health care. People will have no choice but to seek health care services if they get sick. However, they will try to cut costs by going to public health care facilities rather than to private practitioners and see doctors only when sick and not for a wellness check up.
   

So, if you're looking to earn a little bit more in this time of economic downturn, do take these into consideration. If you can find something that people need, or perceive to need, even in hard times, offer a cheaper but quality alternative and you can find plenty of customers.

A look back....Things to be grateful for in the year 2006

It's the last day of 2006. It's been a good year for us, and for that we are thankful. Milestones that have occurred during this year for our family:

- My son had a full year of NOT being admitted in the hospital. He is currently seizure free even without maintenance medications.
- My son accomplished his milestones at about the time the books said he should. Sometimes even earlier. Yey! Developmentally normal.
- My son had his first out of town trip. It's just Tagaytay, but still....
- My son celebrated his first birthday party. First time for mommy to organize a kiddie party.
- My husband really became the primary breadwinner in our family, as I had to step back a bit and become a little more laid back with my clinical practice. Thankfully, his patient base also grew this year, and at pace faster than normal.
- My mother turned 60. We threw a surprise party for her. First time for us to host a party for her, that was really a surprise for her!
- My brothers went into new avenues for their careers.
- I started our family's online gift shop business this Christmas season. Still on the "sideline" stage though. [It's at ethansstore.multiply.com , in case anybody is interested :) ].
- I went back to school.
- We bought a new laptop computer, via installment. Our old laptop died....but we were able to have it repaired at a low cost, so now we have 2 laptops! Yey!

There is still so much more. I am thankful for all the blessings that have occurred. I am looking forward to the new year and to new milestones.