by Greg Deligero
Although she had a degree in management accounting, being an entrepreneur was not the initial preferred profession of Joy Frances S. Innocencio, owner of 777 Party Fanatics and Practical Hair Solutions Salon.
Right after graduating from the Ateneo de Davao University, she worked as a medical representative of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals and became the company’s area manager for the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan and General Santos. At times, she was also assigned to the cities of Zamboanga, Pagadian and Ozamis.
“With a high salary, ample commission plus car, we have all the perks. I was content with my job,” she said.
But then she got married to an army officer in 2006 and had to resign from her good paying job after she got pregnant. “My husband asked me to be a fulltime housewife and resign from my work which required a lot of travel that would not be good for our baby,” she recalled.
When their daughter was born on August 3, 2007, Inocencio said she decided not to resume working to give all her time and attention to her family. “I became too family-oriented.”
Unknown to her, the coming of their daughter, Francesca Alexandria, who they call Lexi, not only changed her priorities it also opened opportunities she previously had not noticed nor given attention to.
Interest in business
Inocencio’s interest in business began when Lexi turned one year old in 2008. As their first born she wanted to throw a special children’s party—with all the balloons, themed decorations and costumes.
“As mothers, it is our greatest source of happiness seeing our kids enjoying their birthdays,” said Inocencio, who just turned 27 last December 14.
So she made rounds among party organizers in the city to find out the cost of having a special themed party, but to her dismay, the cheapest quote she got was a whopping P38,000.00.
“It was very expensive. Although we wanted to have a special party, the cost was not within our budget,” she said.
Determined to give the best they could for their child, Inocencio said she decided to organize the party herself—buy the needed decorative stuff, assemble the balloons and arrange the tables.
“The theme was Hello Kitty!, so all the materials and decorations one could see in the party, including table cloth and napkins, had Hello Kitty! markings or symbols. To our surprise, the total amount we spent was only half of the cheapest quote we got from party organizers,” she recalled.
First exposure
Unknowingly, Lexi’s first birthday was also Inocencio’s first exposure to the commercial market.
As she engaged into casual talk among the mothers at the party, Inocencio said many of them expressed admiration at the way she prepared and held Lexi’s themed party to the extent that they asked for her services for the coming birthdays of their own children.
“Immediately the following month, September, there were four birthdays I was asked to do the set up and decorations for the party,” she recalled.
The influx of bookings from friends and acquaintances prompted her to seriously consider legitimizing her business by getting the necessary permits, hiring personnel, putting up a shop and purchasing supplies and equipment, including a balloon compressor, table and wall decorations.
And so the 777 Party Fanatics was born specializing in organizing and handling children’s parties.
From the P38, 000 lowest quote she got from other organizers when she tried to canvass for Lexi’s first birthday, Inocencio charged her client at an average of P15, 000 minimum fee. She even settles for as low as P5, 000, depending on the number guests and the size of the venue.
“It is my dream to help every mother to give her child a birthday party that is most memorable and the best as possible,” she said.
So far, the highest amount she got was P80, 000 for a birthday party held in a posh hotel. “It was my biggest break.”
Linkages
Inocencio’s business has become so successful that she is now catering as much as five birthday parties every weekend. She attributes the growing number of clients to her linkages with fellow entrepreneurs whose businesses complement her party organizing venture, such as cake suppliers and party entertainers.
“In this kind of business, your success depends on your integrity and reputation. Once a customer is satisfied, it is mostly likely that he or she will relay the experience to her or his friends, relatives and acquaintances,” she said.
Salon business
After two years of operating 777 Party Fanatics, Inocencio also ventured into another line of business—hair salon.
Launched last September 28, the Practical Hair Solutions Salon is the first hair treatment and re-bonding center in Davao City using cutting-edge technology for salon services.
“Our customers’ advantage in choosing us is that we don’t mix different brands of products. In this way, we prevent adverse chemical reaction to the hair,” she said.
With two businesses being managed, Inocencio said she can still find enough time to spend with her family. “As an entrepreneur, you can work at your own pace and on your own time which is not possible when you are a plain employee,” she said.
