Challenges Entrepreneurs Face on the Road to Success

Entrepreneurs often face a lot of challenges before they become successful.

Let me share with you the story of the family of Billy & Gigi Dionisio. In the 1990s, they lived just like other couples in their mid-30s who struggled to make both ends meet. They both worked in a bank.

In the year 2000, the bank which employed them was acquired by another bank. Billy was retained by the new bank while Gigi decided to avail of early retirement. She then began a trading business of ceramic wares.

With marginal retirement pay received by Gigi, they put up a display store in their house.  The business struggled while Billy continued working as a bank employee to sustain the needs of the family.

As years passed, the couple realized the need to diversify. They ventured into getting franchise brands of Potato Corner, Quickly & Bibingkinitan. At present, they have 5 thriving food cart outlets in Sta. Rosa and Cabuyao, all in Laguna.

Venturing into a different line of business is a real risk. But the food stalls proved to be perfect for them.

Meantime, Billy's own work retirement neared. The couple again thought of embarking on another type of business. In 2018, the idea of a health and wellness spa came to mind since both husband and wife were fond of massage services.

Thus, Gintong Bukal was born. The name was coined with a spiritual place in Tagaytay where the couple used to visit. It translates as golden spring which means spring of hope, health, wellness and wealth.

Their older son, Jude Emmanuel Dionisio injected his own touch of class in the designs and features of this sparkling spa in the heart of Biñan City just a few meters away from South Woods Exit of SLEX (South Luzon Expressway).

Customers began to pour in from different parts of Laguna and Batangas. Because of this, the couple began to look into franchising as a way to expand their business.

The story of the Dionisio family is incredible. Billy and Gigi moved from employees to franchisees and now as franchisors.

As someone raised as a Catholic, I do believe that God will never give you a cross that you can’t carry. Difficulties in life are unavoidable, thus I try to see every challenge as my means of strengthening my faith.

But of course, we also need to do something and not just pray for a miracle to happen.

Billy and Gigi succeeded with their strong faith, dedication and commitment to make a huge change in their lives.

Starting a business is difficult. To sustain a business is even more difficult, however, when the husband and wife are working together, sharing the same vision, it is not as hard because they got each other’s back.

Despite being successful, it is still possible that certain challenges will come along the way. But, with their years of experience and a better understanding of how to run the business, these bumps every now and then does not shake their faith.

Success is never impossible to those who believe in their own capabilities. But it is also important that an entrepreneur remains humble despite success. Keeping their feet on the ground will make them even more successful.

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You may contact Armando "Butz" Bartolome for questions and more information.

By email: aob@gmb.ph

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