Starting a Business in my Mid-Life
Young Aya was a business-minded person. I started selling things in the first grade of elementary school. My twin sister and I sold stickers. One sheet of stickers costs 15 pesos. It has about 20 different single stickers and we price them based on size. The big one is 7 pesos. Our profit is more than 200% of the cost of our operations. But no one in the first grade cared or even thought that they were being ripped off as long as they got their cute stickers. I feel funny thinking of how confident we were to sell stuff when we were younger.
Our next business venture included selling bracelets. My twin and I enjoyed this start-up a lot because we were able to use our creativity freely while earning money out of it. But then, some classmates started making bracelets too. And their beads were more expensive than ours. Another difference is that their parents who bought them their materials didn't expect any payment in return. All our materials from the beads, the strings, locks, and the like were bought using our lunch money so we expect to make a profit. Competition was hard at that time, but our designs were unique so we always won the interest of our classmates. Business was booming until some parents started getting involved and told our homeroom teacher that we'd been selling goods in class and our activities are disrupting the class. We were forced to shut down. At the time, my twin and I had a business partner who would also become our best friend of 14 years until this present time.
So, those were my adventures in terms of business and sales. That was long ago. But now, I am starting a new venture. It's my first time selling food. I made kimchi to sell. I feel very nervous. I've been working in front of the computer for a long time that the thought of selling food scares me a lot. But I have my hopes up about it. I am planning on quitting my job as an executive assistant mainly because I don't have enough work from my boss, my salary had been halved and now it's only 20% my original salary, and I don't think we're seeing eye to eye anymore. My constant anxiety at work makes it hard for me to keep functioning as well as I had. I was doing my best but it seemed I'm always lacking. So I decided to quit and start this business with the help of my husband.
I learned how to make kimchi last year. I did my marketing and research starting last year too. My family is very honest when it comes to food reviews, so I was very glad that my dad finished a jar of my kimchi in less than a week. My father-in-law also has good reviews for me, and a couple of suggestions too. I love seeing my family, the most important people to me, enjoy the food that I make. It makes my heart sing. I also appreciate the overflowing support that they throw my way. Their kind words empower me to do better and be better.
I still have a lot to learn in business and in life. This is the first time I'm quitting a job. I'm having second thoughts too. But I believe my mental health comes first. Additionally, we're having a baby and I don't want my baby to be affected just because I am affected badly by my work life. I want my baby to be strong and happy and as long as he/she is inside my womb, his/her happiness can only be experienced from me, second-hand. I will try to live with more joy and gratitude. I want to fill my days doing things I love and doing things that lifts up other people as well.
Please wish me luck in this new adventure I'm undertaking.
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