And now...it's happening...

It’s been a while since my last entry you’d probably wonder why. This time I wouldn’t blame that thing called writer’s block… I missed a few days doing entries because I am always tired and been so busy juggling work and personal plans. Good side – I had been pre-occupied in realizing a childhood fantasy… to see an establishment carrying my name.

Yes dear ones, I am venturing into something that can make or break me and my money; hehehe and huhuhu... I am to open an internet shop in a rented place near our house, weird for not-a-technical-buff me.

It was December last year during our Christmas reunion when my cousins and I thought of putting up something where we will invest our hard-earned moneys, but it seems like they aren’t in the same boat like me. Initially, I thought of putting up a canteen since my Dad and Aunt are good cooks and Ave, my sister is supervising a hospital concessionaire.

Half-heartedness is indeed a tested good feeling for me as when I am still undecided in starting the canteen because the landlord of the first place I intended to rent was quite lousy in our negotiation, I saw this vacant office space which is exactly in my target market – the PUVs’ loading and unloading zone. I checked this new place and realized it isn’t feasible to put up a canteen there as there’s no space for dining and no kitchen to cook the would-be menus. So, had to change the plan; I felt that the best business to put there is an internet café, even if it's quite far from schools. Never mind, there's a village behind the business space and I see a lot of young people possessing the "dota-fanatic looks". And good thing the new landlady was really nice… I knew I made the better deal ~ money-wise, market-wise, profit-wise, landlord-tenant relationship-wise.

And so today while waiting for my DTI papers to be released, the Dad of my bestfriend Yeth is starting to put up the workstations. It was a “pakyaw” deal (materials and labor) as I can’t get anyone from my family to personally attend to it. For obvious reasons, I can’t have my Aunt (my would-be Operations Manager) supervise the “pagkakarpintero”. The original lay-out of the shop was designed by another good friend, Engr. Lois but when we measured the whole place we realized her lay-out wouldn’t fit in (Don’t worry Lois, I won’t get back your PF – the 2008 Starbucks planner). Yeth, her Dad and I immediately did a new layout and after knowing the exact measurements of the computer gadgets, prepared a quotation for the deal. My budget for the labor and materials doubled but no worries, I know Yeth’s dad is a good carpenter and my shop would really look yuppie and classy.

And so, I can’t wait for the DTI papers to be released next week. After that, I will have to double-time in processing the business permit, the internet connection via PLDT DSL and the networking of the PCs. Dear God, help me make it to the March 08 deadline. I really want to open my shop on that date, as it is my birthday and to feng shui, 8 is a good number (it is also my favorite).

This early, I can’t wait to see how people would come in and out of the shop, which will have black, white and red as its motif. Workstations will also be named after my dear friends (the seven Ts, Jean, Ryan and Grace) instead of numbering them. Dra. Joy will cut the ribbon in the opening/blessing ceremonies. Grace thought of my business name, ady’s e-link (Ryan thought of a better name, ady dot com but too late I already processed the DTI papers when this was given). Arvien to design the logo; Ate Anna to do the networking. It really pays to have good friends and having them around sharing the excitement that I feel, I know this new venture is a risk worth taking… and sweetly, I can smell the aroma of success.

Again, good luck to me.