9DotStrategies, aside from being a
full-service web development and digital marketing firm, has its support to
people with entrepreneurial spirit.
It is with pride that we present you http://tinselshop.ph/, our newest project
awarded to our Extraordinary Entrepreneur, Kristine Marie Padilla. Padilla
won a 150,000Php worth of e-commerce website from 9DotStrategies upon winning
from our Extraordinary Entrepreneur Facebook Video Contest last April of this year.
Her website launched this August 15, 2014 with the help of our dedicated team of
experts. Visit http://tinselshop.ph/!
 |
| Tinsel Shop Website Screenshot |
The
Tinsel Shop Wins Extraordinary Entrepreneur Video Contest
“We are
all extraordinary as a person, but one will stand out beyond extra”
In the competitive world of business, an entrepreneur
is not simply the person who starts and operates the business; an entrepreneur
is someone who sees opportunities, grabs them while taking a tremendous amount
of risk in between. He/she should be someone who is creative enough to imagine
the future, wise enough to make decisions, and is brave enough to explore the unknown.
But what does being an extraordinary entrepreneur mean? That is what 9DotStrategies explored
on when it launched its Extraordinary Entrepreneur Video Contest last January.
The mechanics of the contest is simple: upload
a video, which defines what an extraordinary entrepreneur is, and show it. Whoever
achieves the highest score based on the criteria for judging wins a dazzling
P150, 000 worth of e-commerce website.
The search was long and hard, but among the
entrants, one has depicted it more than the rest. She is a motion graphic
artist for one of the top television networks in the Philippines for almost 10
years, the owner of the clothing store, “The Tinsel Shop”-- Mrs. Kristine Marie
Padilla.
What inspired you to start the business?
“It is a family
business,” Padilla said. Apparently, Padilla’s interest started while she was
growing up since her family is engaged in the garments business as well. In
2008, she was able to launch The Tinsel Shop online. She joined some bazaars in
2009 in order to gain more sales and popularity in the market. By 2012, she was
already able to put up a shop in Ali Mall and open up another one in Robinsons
Metro East in 2013.
How
were you able to manage your time between your family, friends, and business?
“When it comes to business, I have trusted my employees
that is why I don’t have to visit my shops all the time”. She also added that
she does not waste any time and she does multiple tasks. She makes designs for
her Tinsel products during the dead hours of her job at the network. Tuesday is
her rest day and she makes sure that Sunday would be nicely spent with her
family. As someone with multiple roles in life, she was able to juggle them all
through her sheer dedication and time management.
What do
you think is the hardest obstacle for an entrepreneur, and how were you able to
surpass it?
“Of course, roller coaster sales. Also,
funds”. As an entrepreneur, Padilla is aware that every business is a risk, but
she overcomes problems with her thought of “kapit
lang”. It is never an option to give up, and there is always a sign of
relief once she realizes that she had already beaten the challenge.
In your video, what do you mean by ‘beyond extra’? What is it that you have more?
“We are all extraordinary as a person, but one
will stand out beyond extra! And that’s me”, she stated. Padilla showed her youthful and creative
outlook in life through her video that reflects how she manages her business.
She explores the world through her imaginative mind and seeks to make her products
unique. Padilla stated that unlike other entrepreneurs
she is fully aware of the significance of new technologies, keeping up with the
trends and relating with her market.
How do
you become extraordinary or “beyond extra” as an entrepreneur?
“In business, I do not consider what I want,
but what my market wants”, she said. Thinking in a way how her market would
respond helped in the bloom of Padilla’s business. She also added that her past
jobs had helped her develop art skills.
How do
you stay at par with the competition? What serves as your competitive
advantage?
“I make sure that my products come differently
and with a twist that is why I personally design them (some are bought outside
the country). I also want to be the first to offer the product in the market”.
She also added that her product ideas evolve from watching shows and doing
research related to the industry.
You mentioned that you started in the online business, so what do you think serves as the perks of having your own website?
“Aside from having no required permit, online
purchasers cannot ask for discounts. It also saves my business, when there are
few sales on shops”. Undeniably, websites and online shops create wider
awareness and reach of the target market and it shows strong credibility in
public, which she also mentioned.
What
joy does entrepreneurship bring to you as an individual?
“There is joy each time I make a sale and I
would think, “Yes! Alam ko ang uso!”.
Basically, it is all about self-gratification. She would be flattered every
time her customers say she looks young. Keeping a youthful appearance and
attitude has helped her relate to teenage customers. Though she juggles a lot
of work in her hands, it is all worth it at the end of the day.
What is
your dream for your business?
“To dress up the whole world!”, exclaimed
Padilla. She wanted her shop to be present in all malls and to see how people
appreciate her craft. Though it may seem extravagant, she continually strives
to turn this big dream into a reality. “Hindi
ka din naman forever employee”, she answered when asked about plans of
being a full time entrepreneur. In spite of her successful career as an artist,
she is fully aware of the constraints of being an employee, especially in
today's ever evolving and competitive world.
What is
the “secret recipe” for your business to be successful?
“Well, success is subjective and it varies
with different people’s perspectives; but for me, the secret recipe is to ‘keep
going on’ and ‘staying young”. Since Padilla’s target market is teenage girls,
she has to ‘think young, stay young, and be young’ in order to provide the
right needs, wants, and trends. She also encountered a lot of challenges, but
she just kept going on to arrive at where she is now and sit on her throne of
success.
With her story, being an entrepreneur may seem
tough, but rewarding. You need to have a lot of courage to take risks, but
along the way you would find it exciting and and worth it when all your hard
work pays off in the end. As what Padilla had said, it is gratifying when
people love and are pleased with all your hard works. In entrepreneurship, you
are your own boss, you can control your own time, schedules, and is free in
doing whatever you want, just never forget your values and business ethics.
Business is a gamble, and sometimes even the smallest thing can make the
difference, it can either make or break you, but in taking these risks, you
learn to grow and expand your horizon.
Everyone is extraordinary, we have our own way
of thinking, of working, of dreaming as we are all unique in this world. In
this vast jungle we live in, being ordinary is out of the question, being
extraordinary is a must. At times, to stand out among the rest; we must go
beyond what is extra.
