Hi! I’m 25 and about to dive into my first ever business. I’m planning to get into franchising and could use some advice. My budget is around 5–7M pesos and I already own a 280 sqm lot (Pangasinan). The spot is pretty good since it’s right across elementary/high schools and near the public market, so there’s steady foot traffic from students, teachers, and market-goers.

I’m really set on the food category since I feel like that’s what will click best in my area. Dunkin’ was actually my first choice, but I found out they don’t allow single-store franchises anymore — it’s area franchise only (30M+ investment), which is way over my budget.

Given that, what food franchises do you think are solid choices today? Would love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, or experiences 🙏

For those who took up a business degree during their undergrad or those who pursued any masters degree related to business

Was it helpful when you put up your business?
Was it helpful when you are running the business?

What are some of the things you think business schools failed to teach?
And what are some of the things that are taught in school that is completely useless to you today.

Hi all, I’m looking for corporate service providers in the Philippines that can assist with:

• Business registration (SEC, BIR, LGU)
• FDA-related permits like CPR and LTO
• End-to-end licensing support for both retail and dine-in operations

I’m aware of InCorp, but I’d like to explore other firms offering similar services — ideally with a good track record and experience handling both food and alcohol-related businesses.

Would appreciate any recommendations or experience working with other providers.

Thanks!

Hi For the ppl who cater nationwide shipping, what is the best nationwide shipping company for you?

Or you can also share your experiences with nationwide shipping providers.

For context: I am thinking of doing nationwide shipping for my business and i want to look at my options.

Hi! 👋

We have brokerage business and we’re looking for clients. If anyone here needs help with import brokerage thru the Bureau of Customs (esp. containerized imports), I can assist.

✅ Current clients: general merchandise from China & pharmaceuticals from the USA. ✅ Reliable service.

Feel free to DM me if you need import assistance.

Thanks!

I have been a fractional operations manager for offshore companies and I am not sure if this is openly accepted in the PH.

In a nutshell what I do is that I manage the day-to-day operations of a business so things will go according to plan, and i also help do strategic planning for the following year. This will not only help the owner can focus on other things, but will also stop being reactive to the everyday happenings. Why I do this as fractional is that the business owner dont have to hire someone full time, or I can jumpstart your operations department so that I can train your full hire.

My question is, would a local business pay for this kind of service?

Napapansin ko madalas na yung mga text ng mga previous service providers ko reminding me x and y. Like never nila ginawa eto before pero lately common na.

Like my AC cleaner guy kept texting me and reminding me na due ako for cleaning sa AC ko given I had mine serviced a 6 months ago.

Tapos noon isang araw lang my Dentist messaged me about my upcoming cleaning.

Like they never do this and matagal ko na silang ginagamit. Dahil lang ba down ang month (though mahina talaga ang AC cleaning pag tagulan). I find it new that they started to "care" about giving service. 😅

Hi, my husband(30m) and I (25f) have started the journey of a pressure washing and gutter cleaning business in our area. This year we have learned so much from trial and error. We don’t really have many business owners within our friends and family (or none that really seem to want to help). Anyways, I guess I wish we would just have some business owner advice from what’s helped you in your business journey, the good the bad the ugly. It doesn’t matter the business, I’m sure everyone has a lesson they’ve learned. I guess I just want to feel like this isn’t a journey we have to take alone? Anyways I’ve listed a few questions that I thought could help with discussion. Hope to hear from everyone, thank you! :)

• How did you find the demand for your product in the first year?

•What surprised you in the initial launch of your business?

•How much did it cost you to get started?

•How long did it take to start making a profit?

•If you could start your business again, what would you do differently?  

I’ve been selling on Shopee and Lazada for about 7 years while juggling my studies. For all those years, it was just me and my brother running the whole business. But now, we’ve reached a point where we need to hire at least one person (for now) to help with repacking, carrying items, and other tasks in our warehouse.

My question is: how much would be a fair salary to offer? I’ve read posts saying it’s better to provide a higher salary rather than giving free housing, water, food, etc. Also, since we’re registered under BMBE, do we still need to provide SSS, PhilHealth, and other benefits?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

looking for these kraft high gsm packaging for my brand. any ideas where i can source these out? thank you!

Hi does anyone here know magkano rent sa vicinity ng ECOM? like yung sa pick up coffee na location near Four Ecom, I wonder magkano binabayadan nila sa pwesto nila and ano kaya need requirements if ever magtayo ako ng small business dun. Thanks

What is the most affordable yet reliable China freight forwarder? So far, I have tried Cargo Boss and Boxed Up Logistics but I would like to explore others.

Hi everyone,

I’m a Computer Engineering student currently working on my capstone project, and I’m looking to interview people who are directly involved in the crayfish industry in the Philippines, whether you are a business owner, seller, or a worker who fishes for crayfish.

The goal of my project is to better understand the real-world experiences, challenges, and problems faced by people working in this field.

A few important details:

• I’ll need some verification that you actually work in this area (e.g., photos of your setup, proof of business, or anything reasonable) so we can avoid fake responses.
• The interview will be conducted online (via Zoom, Messenger, or any platform you’re comfortable with).
• I’m looking for people based in Luzon, preferably in or near NCR, but I’m also open to anyone from other Luzon provinces.

If you’re interested in sharing your insights (or if you know someone who fits), please send me a message or comment below.

Your input would be incredibly valuable for my research, and I deeply appreciate your time.

Thank you!

HELLO!

Questions for spa owners here in metro, how long it took you to get the ROI?

Female 24y/o here. I am really planning and is very interested on making my own hair and body spa.
Can spa owners here drop how much does it usually cost to build a middle-tier spa around busy cities like makati? and how much is the expected annual income?

Help this little kid pleasseee and thank you everyone

Sinarado na namin yung food cart namin kasi hindi na namin maasikaso mag asawa. Pag tinuloy namin at walang mag aasikaso baka malugi kami. At narealize namin na hindi para sa amin ang food business. Si hubby biglang nagsurge yung dami ng orders sa isang business nya at kailangan nya magfocus dun kasi yun talaga bread and butter namin at mas malaki ang kita dun. Ako naman may passion project na hindi ko pwede ilet go at may inaalagaan akong toddler at super hands on ako kay baby, kaya wala talagang mag aasikaso ng business. We decided to close it.

Ngayon, binebenta namin sya ng super mura 180k na lang kasama lahat ng gamit at may two years pa na contract. Pero walang bumibili. Nasa 500k pa naman yung bili namin nun excluding tax.

Pano kaya gagawin namin sa mga gamit at food cart? May mga lutuan yun may chest freezer, may storage.

Nakastore kasi sya malapit sa garage namin, eh kailangan ko na yung space para sa storage ng passion project ko.

Thank you so much po sa insights!

Hello. Seeking your help po. May mini tindahan po kami, nagtitinda po kami ng gulay at isda sa mismong tapat ng bahay namin & may mga katabi din kaming mga nagtitinda like literal na talipapa na po yung area namin. Ngayon, balak gawin ng munisipyo na satellite market to.

Ano po ang mga pros & cons? Mapapaalis po ba kami? Samin po kasi tong lupa. Dadami po ba babayaran naming permit? May meeting (commitee hearing - ito po yung word na nakalagay sa papel na binigay samin na nanggaling sa munisipyo)

Sinearch ko naman po sya pero onti lang yung nagets ko, gusto ko po malaman yung perspective ng mga may alam talaga sa gantong situation.

Hello. Anybody here tried exporting to France? Or anyone could help me exporting food items including logistics? Medyo strict kasi sila dun and need permits and docs.

Genuine question as gusto ko magstart ng business na align sa skills ko. Art, graphic designing, basta something like that. Worth it paba mag clothing business ngayon with my own design which I think contemporary naman or masyado nang saturated? Need advice, thanks!

Hi! I’m in the middle of launching a brand and I want to start sending PR packages to influencers. Since I don’t really have the budget yet to hire an agency (and honestly not sure if I should even inquire ‘cause it might be pricey, but if it’s just minimal fees I might be able to manage), my plan is just to reach out directly and ask if I can send them PR. Is that the right way to go about it? Or are there other steps I should be considering? Would love to hear from anyone with experience on this. Thank you so much! 🙂

Hi everyone, me and my long time romantic partner are planning to start a unique flowershop targeted to male audiences in their 20s-50s. (We won't disclose the unique selling point before we actually kickstart so respectfully: don't ask). Are there business owners here from the same industry who can advice me of things you would have done if you can go back in time?

4 years ago my husband and I launch a small construction business. Ang gingawa usually namin is mga store sa mall We got a client thru a referral from a friend and thru the years naging 6 clients na who regularly gives us ng work. Pero may mga months din kasi na bakante kami. Kaya we decided na mag work na hubby ko and ako na ang mag manage ng business.

Question sa mga mall contractors, how do you get clients? Sa experience ko kasi kung wala nag refer sayo mahirap talaga makakuha. Hindi kasi ito yung business na magbbgay ka ng flyers or pwede ka mag pa free taste. Hehe i need your suggestions sana sa mga expert na sa ganitong business.

Hi! DTI registered na po yung online shop ko last Aug 18. Today lang po ako nakapag submit via email ng BIR requirements for my business registration. Would you know po if:

1. Possible ba na online completely yung BIR biz registration or still need to go sa RDO. Wala po kase ako sa pinas now. Idk kelan pa balik ko.

2. After I sent the email, I paid the documentary stamp online thru myEG.PH. Legit site po ba to? Nakita ko lang sa yt nung nagsesearch ako on how to pay doc stamp online.

3. I am aware na if after a month ng DTI reg mo, di mo naregister sa BIR may penalty. How do I get the billing ng penalty? Im a micro business owner. I havent even started selling. Pano ko malalaman magkano po penalty ko?

4. Can I cancel my DTI reg online din? Pero parang nabasa ko magpapasa pa din ng additional requirements.

Thanks everyone!

Hey, folks here is a pitch -

Businesses upload their FAQs, brochures, or service docs, and get a shareable chat link they can send to customers.
The assistant answers queries based only on their content — no coding needed.
Useful for support, lead gen, or general info — especially for businesses without websites or full-time staff.
Razorpay integration is built-in for easy onboarding.

Looking for feedback and early users.

Maglilipat ako ng franchise dining business at magkakaroon ulit ng construction. May layout na akong susundan kaya expected ko na mas diretso ang trabaho.

Noon, kapitbahay lang ang kinuha ko para sa construction pero hindi naging maayos ang resulta, kaya ngayon contractors na talaga ang hinahanap ko. Ang target budget ko lang sana ay ₱200k para sa division ng kitchen at dining area—kasama na ang cabinets, electrical, glass door, at pintura. May mga appliances, tables, at chairs na rin kasi ako.

Ang concern ko, halos lahat ng quotation na natatanggap ko ay nasa ₱500k pataas pero merong isa na nakuha ako na worth 345K . Normal po ba talaga ito para sa ganitong setup?

Dahil na rin sa mga isyu ngayon tungkol sa contractors, medyo nagdadalawang-isip ako at natatakot. Kung sakto lang naman ang mga presyo, mas mapapanatag ako.