Many people assume that you need a perfect 50-page business plan with a huge amount of money to start a business. My experience was different.
Mochelo started as an idea while I was still working full time as a Business Development Manager. Like many professionals, I had big responsibilities, deadlines and a busy schedule. Starting a business wasn’t something I could devote all my time to immediately.
But I couldn’t ignore the idea. I kept thinking about building a brand of my own. Something that I could use my creativity, experience in retail and branding and passion for creating products that people would enjoy.
The Early Days
Mochelo began with research, planning and a lot of learning.
I spent my free time understanding the market, sketching products, exploring brand concepts and figuring out how to bring the idea to life. There were many questions and uncertainties.
Would customers like the products?
Could the brand stand out? And so many “What if?”
Like many aspiring entrepreneurs, I didn’t have all the answers. But I decided to start anyway when I spotted an opportunity that I couldn’t resist.
Seeing the Potential
After about six months of building Mochelo, I started seeing its potential for growth.
Opportunities began to appear and I realized that Mochelo could become more than just a side project. A realization that led me to make one of the biggest decisions in my career.
I resigned from my full time position as Business Development Manager to focus on growing the brand. It was both exciting and intimidating. Leaving the security of a stable job is never easy, but I believed that if I wanted to give Mochelo a real chance to succeed, it deserved my full attention.
Growing Beyond One Sales Channel
When Mochelo started, I had only one sales channel. Today, the brand is spreading joy in 11 sales channels through a network of partners shops in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
This growth didn’t happen overnight. It required persistence, relationship building, continuous learning and will power. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth comes from consistency rather than quick wins. Every partnership, every customer and every opportunity helped moved the brand forward.
Lessons I’ve Learned
Looking back, a few lessons stand out:
- Start conceptualizing even before you feel completely ready
- Small consistent actions create long term results
- Building relationships is just as important as building products
- Growth takes time and patience
- Believing in your vision matters, especially during difficult times
Looking Ahead
The journey is still far from over. Today, Mochelo continues to grow and I’m now working on product line expansion and online presence through Mochelo World.
Through this platform, I hope to share the lessons, challenges and successes that come with building a brand from the ground up.
If you’re currently working full time while dreaming of starting something of your own, my advice is simple. Start where you are. You don’t need everything figured out to take the first step. Always remember, “DAIG NG MAAGAP ANG MASIPAG”. Early bird catches the worm.
Sometimes the first step is exactly what leads you to the opportunities you’ve been looking for.
