Tag Archives: entrepreneurship

Valentines Gift to Make Her Ugly

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In an effort to be entrepreneurial, Koi and I were thinking of what we could make quick cash on this coming valentines… as always I referred to the font of all knowledge – google. Lo and behold what I found on www.theromantic.com

GIFTS TO MAKE HER UGLY

submitted by: Anonymous
The most creative Valentine’s day gift I have ever received was from my husband, when we were still dating. We met shortly after high school, dated a year, then he left on a church mission and I went away to college.

We wrote each other every week and were still good friends. He knew I dated a few people at school and was a little bothered by that. The Valentine’s day after we had been apart about a year and a half, he sent me the best package.

I had no idea he could be so creative. Inside were items that were meant to scare off other guys. He sent me a razor that he had super glued the blades, so I would have hairy legs. A brush that he had plucked all the bristles out of, so I would have messy hair. Mouth wash that he had replaced with garlic water. An empty deodorant container. Some empty make up containers. And a toy frog to kiss so I would get warts.

I was so amazed that he took the time to think of something so clever. I just loved it. It meant so much to me that he missed me that much. It must have worked because now we’ve been married seven wonderful years!

8 Hats Entrepreneurs Must Have

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I’ve read a couple of reviews of the book Creating You & Co. by William Bridges…unfortunately I haven’t been able to get a hold of a copy I can read. Nevertheless, the central idea is that every entrepreneur should be able to don the following ‘hats’ to succeed.

  1. Marketing Hat
  2. Product Development Hat
  3. Operations Hat
  4. Client Service Hat
  5. Sales Hat
  6. Information Management Hat
  7. Time Management Hat
  8. Planning Hat

I agree 100%, entrepreneurs (and might I add freelancers and independent consultants) should be able to wear these hats comfortably and switch hats accordingly. I don’t think its necessary that one is an expert in all eight but rather one should have sufficient handle in all eight to allow for informed decision making. One can always get someone who has a greater expertise and enthusiasm in particular hats –but it’s the entrepreneur’s responsibility to choose the ‘expert’ correctly.

Have an Exit Strategy

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Nothing in life is permanent so even before you have something be ready to let it go. If you can’t let it go then it’s not good for you. It transforms from something that merely exists in your life to something you are either addicted to or obsessed with.

But being emotionally and psychologically ready to let go is only one side of the coin. The other is about how to actually ‘let go.’ I’m reminded of a concept we teach at Colayco Foundation about investing – before you invest you must know your exit strategy: the why and how you would pull out, redeem or cash in your investment.

In life, I realize, the same should apply. Know your exit strategy: why change will be needed and how to effect it, why letting go will be necessary and how to go about it.

Easier said than done – even just the ‘being psychologically and emotionally ready’ for impermanence, letting go and change… is already a tough one.

Below are some points I’ve found useful/practical.

Business/Entrepreneurship:

  • Start a business endeavor with the end in mind that you will eventually sell it to someone (when it is successful) – this means preparing and maintaining good legal and financial documents.
  • It also means, knowing the point at which you will say ‘this business is no longer profitable/feasible.’

Career / Job / Employment: Modern careers are characterized by dynamism – multiple changes in employment and at least one major career shift. Staying in one job for the rest of your life is becoming rare (even among entrepreneurs). Given this, I am reminded of Jim Rohn’s words: Learn to work harder on yourself, than you do on your job. Wherever you are now:

  • Figure out what you don’t want if you don’t know what you do want. Don’t wait till you are overwhelmed and frustrated with where you are right now before you speak up or decide to leave your company.
  • Work today knowing that you are leaving eventually – Do work well and maintain good relationships with your subordinates, peers, clients and superiors – your reputation and network will go a long way in the long run. Keep your documentation and files organized. Figure out what you don’t want if you don’t know what you do want.
  • Milk it dry : knowledge, skills, network, accomplishments…
  • Keep your end in mind… and the next step in sight.

Romantic Relationships:

  • Same as when you are employed…figure out what you don’t want if you don’t know what you do want. Don’t wait till you are overwhelmed and frustrated with your partner before you speak up or decide that it’s time to move on.
  • Be the better person always – whether you are the one with the desire and reason to leave (and thus cause hurt in the other person) or the one who was hurt. Or if you happen to be someone who betrayed your lover’s trust then be the better person moving forward.

Originally on Wisdom of a 20-Something – January 11, 2011

The ASIDE Vision

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ASIDE was a separate blog I started just this July. However, after a while I realized I should just collapse it into this blog because in the end it’s still my thoughts. I still dream of building, creating, establishing ASIDE in the real world. So for now ASIDE is a category in this blog. :D Enjoy

I believe the way to improve the quality of life of Filipinos and other Asians is through design, innovation and entrepreneurship directed towards addressing social problems.

In the course of my work, my studies, my research and my day to day life, I encounter people, ideas, initiatives, enterprises, designs, etc. directed towards alleviating poverty, improving health and sanitation, providing livelihood, and the like and most importantly these are simply amazing.

ASIDE is all about sharing the amazingness of social innovation, design and entrepreneurship (SIDE) ideas, personalities, initiatives, etc. 

Pretty basic right, but why focus on Asia? Well for one, SIDE as a development paradigm are in their infancy in the region. Most knowledge, practices, standards etc. come from the US, UK, EU and others. Their social problems are drastically different from that of Asia. In addition their appreciation of Asian social problems is different (not ineffective or unhelpful – just different). There is a need to re-frame these concepts and customize them for Asia, the countries in the continent, and the specific localities.

ASIDE seeks to stimulate thinking and discussion to both expand and localize SIDE in the hopes that such will spur more SIDE for and by Asians.   

There is so much more that ASIDE can become…so as with everything about ASIDE…here’s what ASIDE is About, what I envision (a working description).