Sometimes I take the little things for granted. Like all of you, I’m a busy person. Most of the time I assume that readers who come here to the Small Business File already have a fair bit of knowledge about small business. That’s simply not the case. I know there are people who are just starting out. I remember when I was first getting involved in entrepreneurial activities, and I’m happy to admit, I too was very ‘green’. So this week I’m going to offer my views and reviews of three websites I think offer excellent information to people who have recently been bitten by the ‘entrepreneurship’ bug. I’ll revisit this topic at different times in the future, so I’ll only start with a handful of sites today.
I personally find the three sites below are extremely useful. I can recommend them simply because they are comprehensive, and, in the case of the third site, laden with the correct information many small business owners need to not only understand, but to fully comply with the laws and regulations associated with undertaking a business venture in the Philippines. Moreover, these three sites offer both breadth and depth. What I mean by this is that most topics on small business in the Philippines that you could possibly think of are in fact covered, and normally in rich detail. In many instances there are links to related topics or articles that provide guests with more than a cursory understanding of the most pertinent issues associated with whatever happens to be the topic of interest.
Best Addresses on the Internet
The first site I would like to review and recommend is the website for Entrepreneur Magazine (Philippines). The website is no substitute for the actual print issue, but it is still an excellent resource, especially for OFW’s and people living abroad and thinking about opening a small business in the Philippines at some point in the future. This website contains many articles and links of use to entrepreneurs in the Philippines. There are sections on finance, technology, human resources, etc. Of course there is also information on current and upcoming issues of Entrepreneur Magazine (Philippines). The ‘workbook’ section of the site is especially good for those hoping to expand their list of small business ideas.
The second site I would like to review and recommend is the website for EntrePinoys. This particular website is one of the best internet ‘hubs’ devoted to small business investment and livelihood opportunities in the Philippines. The amount of excellent information on this site is very impressive. Guests can search for topics or can browse according to a number of categories that includes food related businesses, agricultural businesses, and a wide variety of other small business opportunities. There are even ‘How To” videos that guests can watch so as to learn different tips and techniques used in a wide variety of small business pursuits.
The third site I would like to recommend is the website for the Department of Trade and Industry in the Philippines. Every small business owner will have to register with the DTI before they begin operations, so I highly recommend visiting the DTI website so that you can get comfortable with the different rules and regulations required in establishing a small business in the Philippines. But the DTI website offers even more than the usual pages associated with rules and regulations. There is also a whole lot of additional information of use. There is information on upcoming trade fairs. There is information on upcoming trainings. And there is a very interesting section on the OTOP Program (One Town, One Product). If you want to learn what different towns in the Philippines are best known for in terms of local products or services offered, the OTOP site can help!
I hope you all decide to bookmark these sites and visit them regularly. If you’re like me, you’ll constantly be amazed at how much terrific information is available on these sites.
I would be interested to know what sites many of you small business owners find especially useful, so please feel free to submit comments on the websites you find are most useful for entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Philippines.
About Martin
Hi Martin.
I am a follower for years of this blog and i have met The Martins in Davao a few times I will be in Manilia on business in October and plan to spend the week end in Batuan never been there.I was looking at the Karaga or dotties place to stay. Any advise I am originally from Liverpool in the Uk and i remember last year you had a write up about a guy from Liverpool living with his daughter in Batuan. If i remember he had a delivery business based on food stuffs that are hard to find in your town.Thought if i was in Batuan i could take him for a beer and have a reminise about the old place. Could you give me his email address or pass my message on to him. Thanks Matin.You can get my email details from Sir Bob Martin in Davao.
Hey There, Just thought I would drop you a line and say Hi. would like to run a business that I will (hopefuly) began real soon. My family own a Doughnut shop for a long time and would like to do the same over in Mindanao, where my wife is from, but could not locate any sulppies ..I would like to know if you know of a company that sells what I may need or evenwhere to buy bakeing equipment.It would cost to much to ship from the states..Thanks J.C.
thanks Martin this is a good place for me to read ..As you know I’m starting a poultry farm …Phil n Jess
Hi MARTIN.NO FEED BACK ON JOHNS PHONE NUMBER LEAVING THIS WEEK FOR SOUTH EAST ASIA ARRIVING BUTUAN 16 OCTOBER FOR 3 DAYS .
Hi Frank,
Yes, John is also from Liverpool. I’m pass on your request. I’m sure he’d be happy to have a beer.
As for hotels, I can only comment on Dotties as I have never been to Karaga. Dotties is a very good place to stay, with nice, comfortable rooms and a great pool. Getting too/from Dotties is also easy.
Cheers!
Hi J.C.
What kind of supplies are you looking for? Most baking supplies can be found in major cities. Specialty supplies can definitely be found in CDO and Davao. Industrial baking equipment can be bought in Davao, and in some cases in CDO. I guess it depends on what you need to get your doughnut shop up and running. You might want to just ship some equipment from your current operations, or upgrade a few pieces and ship the older equipment to the new location until you know how well your business may be doing in the new market you choose to enter.
Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have any specific requests and I’ll try to see if I can get you a contact.
Cheers!
Hi Phil,
I’m glad you found this post useful. I’ll try and see if I can look up some additional online resources for you related to agricultural and horticultural management in the Philippine context. There may be some vale in such sites given your current endeavors.
Cheers!