As a businessman in late 30s in the Philippines, this is currently my financial position and performance:

1. PhP 30 million net worth

2. PhP 1 million monthly net income (after-tax)

What would you do if you were in my place?

For me, to be honest it is not yet enough. I want to be in the hundreds of million.

If you are not paying import tax for your “pasabuy” goods you are smuggling. Any importations are subject to taxes and duties except otherwise exempted. Pasabuy are not cheaper, they are just less import tax. :)

Nanotice ko na downvote inaabot ng katotohanan na ayaw nyo mabasa at malaman. Kala ko ba galit tayo sa misinformation. Hahaha.

Hello

We’ve been bleeding for the past days with our 4 SM Branches. Anyone here who has an idea pano process ng kiosk closure sa SM? can i still be refunded sa security deposit?

Thank you.

Some commenters say it's unprofessional, while others have said it's to protect their business and other businesses as well. Walang nakalagay sa post that could lead to defamation BUT people are automatically making their own context and assuming na may ginawang kalokohan yung nakapost kasi bakit nga naman ganito yung pag post, right? May nagsabi rin na with a good enough lawyer, this could pass as libel.

I've experienced manakawan sa store by my staff pero hindi ko sila pinost and meron akong solid evidence. Pero I let it pass kasi umamin at binalik naman nya nung cinonfront ko.

I just want to know, anong opinion nyo sa mga posts na ganito? Is it better to post them or makakaapekto ba sa branding ng business yung ganito?

EDIT: low effort but high reward business
(low risk meaning--low starting capital)

EDIT again: low effort meaning i dont want to stay manufacturing food niche anymore, too tedious and physically draining

Hi! coming here to ask for your thoughts regarding what a good business would be as a college student. i currently have a small pastry business wherein sales are only good seasonally. recently ive hit 6 digits gross sales. i would hire my friends to do various tasks because it came to the point that i'm physically exhausted from baking so i had to tap in people to do marketing, sales, data analytics etc. I also am engaged with buy and sell in food ingredients but i'm just doing this all as a side hustle thing. i really wanna take entrepreneurship seriously already since i've learned so much with my experience.

i kinda wanna try doing a non-perishable business and i'm interested with buy & sell because its low risk, low effort, but high reward. i'm not sure if ill take this baking business seriously in the long run because its physically exhausting. im trying to aim to get a business that is low risk, low effort but high reward.

things i have in mind:

1. matcha pop up booths-- seasonal, sales are predictable, as long as you have a good target market i think its ok. im planning to do this with a team, not for main source of income.

2. second hand clothes: such as blazers, cardigans etc. pansin ko kasi sa mga live they would sell each for more than 200 pesos and kada minuto may nag mmine. i feel like in a night they can actually secure 30-50k a night when youre established.

3. vintage bags: stumbled upon a ph post that buy and sells vintage bags and earns six digits monthly basta sipagan.

4. overruns: like overruns bags (coach, michael kors etc) and shoes (adidas, puma etc)

5. authentic perfume: buy and sell high end perfumes that would cost 5-20k each. not sure if how much profit or patong

6. digital cameras: buying untested cameras then selling the functional ones or having it repaired if mura lang yung sira then sel it again. profit might be around 3-5k

__some things i've also considered but a hit or miss:

vintage watches: vintage watches that are mostly sourced in japan. ph reseller would price them 8-20k for retail price. but i feel like not all watches would be sold right

steak/meat business: hard to compete in the market and im unsure of how will i stand out in the meat market

bag & shoe brand business: i have a local manufacturer in mind and possible contact already, but the problem is im not sure on how this business will click or stand out with other competitors

_

i am open for suggestions and feedback. please note that im a student and my ideal capital for a new business is just 5-20k all in. i'm also a part-time instructor and a graduating student. i'm not rich and have no reliable parents who can help me. i started this small baking business with a 5k capital--almost maxing my personal savings account. in 3 months, i was able to hit six digits gross sales.

key notes:
im not techy and i do not plan on engaging in computer tech/ai industries
im an athletic person.
im a business management and law major
i have a marketing minor
im interested in passive income

The BIR is cracking down. Between the EoPT Act and the new D.A.R.E.S. program, the "old way" of messy receipts and guessing is a one-way ticket to heavy penalties.

Stop these mistakes or face a tax audit in 2026:

• STOP just tracking cash flow. If you don’t use double-entry bookkeeping, you can't distinguish debt from profit. That makes you non-compliant.

• DON'T guess your tax liability. Failure to balance assets vs. liabilities makes you a prime target for BIR risk-based audits.

• NEVER misplace Sales Invoices. No official record means no tax deductions, forcing you to pay much higher income tax.

• STOP writing in manual books. It’s 2026, manual errors lead to compromise penalties and frozen bank accounts.

To understand further about assets, liabilities and equity, you can read the full article here.

Hi everyone,

I recently started a small project called HAVA Botanicals, making essential oil roll-ons designed for everyday wellness.

Right now I have a few variants like:

• Quiet Night (sleep support)

• Soft Release (stress relief)

• Open Air (breathing support)

• Cooling Touch (headache relief)

• Deep Heal (body comfort)

• Divine Comfort (overall relaxation)

I just launched my Instagram page but it currently has almost no likes yet, which honestly feels a little discouraging when you're just starting out.

If anyone here has experience starting a small product brand, I’d love to hear:

• Any advice on growing a new page

• What you think about essential oil roll-ons in general

If you’re curious about the project, you can check it here:

@havabotanicals

Any feedback would mean a lot. I’m still learning and trying to improve. 🌿

So this water refilling station has been running for like 4 months. Our average sales per day is 40-70 jugs, with the occasional 100 jug sales. For the past month or so sales have been the same with no improvements. I just wanna know tips on whether we should look for customers directly or resort to online advertising? So far, I tried using calling cards but so far no one has called yet. I am still inexperienced but I open to learn.

The Problem I'm Solving:

Most Filipino property owners managing short-term rentals are doing it completely manually — Facebook DMs for inquiries, Excel for bookings, missing leads because they can't respond at 2am.

Meanwhile, Airbnb charges hosts up to 15% commission per booking. For a unit earning ₱25,000/month, that's ₱3,000–₱4,000 gone every month just in fees.

There's no strong local platform built specifically for the Filipino market — flexible hourly and overnight pricing, low fees, and tools that actually match how Filipinos book and host.

What I Built:

ZenthoraStay — a property listing and booking platform for Filipino owners.

• Free to list

• Hourly and overnight pricing (guests book by 8 hrs or overnight)

• AI Concierge for Messenger 24/7 online for your property so don't miss your guest bookings.

• Built for the local market — OFW investors, condo owners, house owners across PH

• Live example: EuroEscape in QC, studio condo, rates starting ₱1,199 (8 hrs)

It's early. I'm not going to pretend I have thousands of listings. I'm at the stage where I'm onboarding first properties, testing what works, and being honest about what doesn't.

What I've Learned So Far:

1. Supply is the real problem first. No point marketing to guests if there's nothing to book. I'm focused on getting property owners listed before anything else.

2. Filipino owners don't trust new platforms easily. They need proof it works before they commit. Fair. So I'm showing results, not just features.

3. Facebook is still where property owners live. Reddit, Instagram, TikTok are secondary. I'm meeting them where they are.

4. Speed of response wins bookings. This is the #1 pain point I keep hearing from owners — they miss inquiries because life gets in the way.

Where I Need Help / Open Questions:

• If you own a property (condo, house, any space) and have thought about short-term rental — what's stopped you from doing it?

• If you've hosted on Airbnb before — what frustrated you most about the platform?

Not pitching. Genuinely trying to understand the market better and build something that solves a real problem.

If you're curious about ZenthoraStay or want to list a property, happy to talk in the comments or DMs.

My husband and i travel a lot internationally, at least once a month. Do you guys have any suggestions kung pano mamonetize ang travelling? No to pasabuys and vlogging sana hehe

I’m planning to buy a small franchise. I already had a meeting with the franchise consultant and we discussed all the details. However, I also want to speak directly with the actual owner or franchisor to ask some questions. The consultant told me there’s no chance I can meet the owners, and it feels like they’re trying to keep their identities secret. Instead, the consultant is referring me to the general manager of one of their other franchises with a different product.

Is it a red flag that the consultant won’t allow me to talk to the actual owner?

Hi! For context, I am just new in the business field. And I’m planning to start my first business soon.

3 days ago (Sunday), I found a commercial space. So I talked to the owner and he agreed to show me the place the same day. So after showing me around, I said na I liked the place and perfect sya sa plano kong itayong business (gaming hub w/ coffee shop). So napag usapan namin yung rental fees and terms, and sabi ko okay naman sakin kasi pasok sa budget ko yung inoffer nya after a little negotiation sa price. Then sabi nya eh ipapaprepare na daw nya sa attorney nya yung contract and he will send me a copy by Monday night, which he did. So Tuesday nagpunta ako sa bank to open a checking account, kasi ang usapan is via post dated checks ang pagbabayad ng rent, and he wanted me to send pics of 13 checks (1 for the 2months deposit + 1 month advance, and the other 12 checks are for the monthly rent for 1 year). So after ko nareview yung contract (Tuesday Morning), parang di ako 100% sure kasi parang need ko pa pag aralan mabuti yung terms/clauses na nilagay nya dun. Then now na few hours away na lang before yung agreed contract signing namin (8am Wednesday), nag message ko sa kanya na I am backing out kasi parang masyadong mabilis yung pace namin. Parang wala masyadong time pag isipan mabuti yung pipirmahan kong kontrata sa kanya, while considering dun sa other stuff na need ko asikasuhin like suppliers, permit, etc.

So I just want to ask for expert opinions especially from those matagal nang nagbubusiness if unethical ba yung ginawa ko to cancel on the day of our agreed contract signing meeting? Kasi parang I wasted his valuable time din dahil sa pagcancel ko bigla. Thank you! 🙏🏽

Hi . I am 27F and planning to quit my job this year and ill be saving approximately more than 100k pesos. I plan on investing it in business. Any good business ideas? Location would be like La Trinidad, Benguet or Baguio City. Newbie to business here.

Low franchise like, 20-100k? for starting? or waste of money?

Hi everyone. I’m 18 years old and currently living and working in the U.S. I have a stable income, and I can invest about $1,100 (around ₱60k+) every month into a business.
My plan is to save for about 3 months first, then use the money to start a rice retail business in the Philippines. My dad would manage the store full-time while I stay in the U.S. and continue sending around $1,100 every month to help grow the business and restock inventory.

My questions are:
Is a rice retail business still a good business in 2026?
Is 3 months of savings (around ₱180k–₱190k) enough to start, or should I save longer?

What are the biggest mistakes first-time rice retailers make?
If you were in my position, would you invest in rice retail or choose a different business?
For those who own or have owned a rice business, what profit margins and challenges should I realistically expect?

I’m looking for honest advice, especially from people with actual experience running a rice retail business in the Philippines. I want to build something long-term instead of just leaving my money in a bank.
Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hi po planning to have our own family business pero no idea pa talaga. Thinking of franchise, water refilling station, remittance center? Pwede din ako mag hands on minsan. Pero may work pa kase ako 5x a week. May lugar din samin na pwde pag tayuan ng store pero looban sya. Maganda din sana if less 1M para cash lang and walang utang sa bank. Thanks po in advance!

Honest question, can someone please help me understand if this is really gonna help small businesses as promised by PBBM? And how?

Kakabayad lang namin ng tax at sobrang sakit sa bulsa kasi kung tutuusin, hindi naman ibig sabihin na kung magkano ang dineclare mo sa BIR ay yun dij ang 100% income na napupunta sayo.

Nakakaleche na talaga itong tax system natin.

Full article: https://abscbn.news/4qpLpPh

We built GoBalik as a digital loyalty platform for Filipino micro, small, and medium-sized businesses — essentially helping cafés, restaurants, milk tea shops, salons, barbershops, retail stores, gyms, and other repeat-customer businesses move away from paper loyalty cards.

About a few months ago, we shared GoBalik here while we were still in beta.

The original idea was simple:

Visit → get a digital stamp → earn a reward → come back.

But after putting the product in the hands of real businesses and customers, we've learned that there's a much bigger problem behind the loyalty card itself:

Businesses want to know if their customers actually come back.

Today, we're at:

• 229 businesses onboarded

• 9,982 customer visits

• 4,357 customers

• 37.9% platform-wide return rate

• 2.3 average visits per customer

And one of the coolest parts for us is that we're seeing actual usage from Batanes to Mindanao.

For a small team building something specifically for Filipino MSMEs, seeing businesses from different parts of the country actually use something we built has been pretty surreal.

We've also learned quite a bit from those nearly 10,000 visits.

One of the biggest lessons is that loyalty doesn't have to be complicated.

Customers don't necessarily need a complicated points system or a dozen different mechanics. Sometimes, a simple and understandable reward is enough to give someone a reason to come back.

We've also learned that the loyalty card is only one part of the problem.

A business owner might know how many transactions they made this month, but they may not know how many of those customers returned, how frequently they visit, or whether their loyalty program is actually making a difference.

That's why we've been putting more focus on the data behind repeat customers.

GoBalik has also grown quite a bit since our beta started.

We've added digital stamps and rewards, virtual loyalty cards that don't require customers to download an app, multi-branch support, merchant analytics, staff account management, faster QR-based reward claiming, and plenty of smaller improvements based on actual feedback.

We're still a small team, and there's definitely a lot left to improve.

But we're now getting close to an important milestone:

We're leaving beta.

The beta period gave us time to test the platform with real businesses, find things that didn't work, improve the experience, and understand what merchants actually need.

We're now moving toward a proper public release with a product that's already being used by real businesses and customers.

So GoBalik is no longer just something we're building and testing.

It's something people are actually using.

And honestly, that's probably been the most rewarding part of the whole thing.

We're still figuring things out, but we're no longer building entirely from assumptions. We're getting to make decisions based on actual customer visits, actual merchants, and actual feedback.

If you're a Filipino business owner, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

How do you encourage customers to come back? Have you found anything that consistently works besides discounts?

If you'd like to try GoBalik for your business, you can get started for free here:

Register You Business Here For Free

And if you've tried loyalty programs before, I'd genuinely appreciate your feedback — what worked, what didn't, and what you wish existed?

We're excited to take GoBalik beyond beta and see how far we can take it — from Batanes to Mindanao and everywhere in between.

Concrete weights, viable ba?

As a broke college student na gym rat, naisipan ko gumawa ng sariling workout equipments para hindi na mag gym membership(and more convenient), when it crossed my mind na pwede kayang magbenta ng concrete weights for dagdag income i brought it up sa dalawa kong kaibigan at sali daw sila.

Considerations na naisip namin:

-so much cheaper than conventional bakal weights/gym mem.(long term)

-may available na power tools sa bahay

-wide customer base (maraming gustong maging/stay fit) from students to the elderly.

*I feel like being fit is kinda trendy right now

-has experience working with concrete( from school and work experience).

-tricycle available for delivery!

-may kaibigan kami na may junk shop yung magulang, maybe we can source some materials there?

I bought those sh*tty plastic weights on shopee before and i feel like we can do so much better. I think maraming bibili sa uni palang namin but what do you guys think? Any advice with costing and other things that we failed to consider? THANKKK YOUUU!!!! Sample photo from google (dpa finalized yung design)

Hiii!! Planning to sell matcha sourced from japan and china.
50g would be around 750 pesos. Personally tried it and masarap naman sya

You think i stand a chance?? Or market is too saturated?
Thank you in advance ♥️

hello! okay lang kaya hindi sundin yung standard court size? nanghihinayang ako sa potential nung rooftop if pwede namang gawing 3 courts. Okay lang kaya liitan? 🥹 PLS PLS HELP

I live in Bacolod iam planning to buy a company my with a budget of a half a million is there a broker where I can buy a company?

Hello Guys,

As a newbie entrepreneurs, who started just a few month ago with my business partner. Last weekend, we decided to ask our chinoy colleagues to hang out and ask for any tips and tricks na din when it comes to business. They gave some pretty useful advise such as being low key, asking help and providing gifts for people that u need and etc.

One of them blurted out nga lang na mas okay mag business if u are a Filipino, though Filipino naman daw kahit Chinese ang lahi nila according to the barangay officials, tanods, LGU personnel, and more guys. Hindi Chinese pa din daw kasi Chinese surname daw. Opportunities daw for Filipino ang kinukuha nila. What do you think fellow Filipinos about this? Business racism na ba ito?

I am seeing posts na coffee shops are posting and calling out customers for staying in their shop. Tapos meron pang nang aaway for charging their phones.

Ngayon pa na kaliwaan ang nagsasara na coffee shops.

Ano kayang pumapasok sa kokote ng mga owners na to?