5 minute read
FEATURE| From a Tangled Rope to Greater Heights
FEATURE| From a Tangled Rope to Greater Heights
by: Kisly Moira Pera
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We are all impacted by the Pandemic in one way or another; people losing their jobs, conversion of face-to-face class to online learning, source of income. Most people are slowly dying.
All of these happened in a blink of an eye. Although staying at home is beneficial to mitigate the virus, there is an underlying cost that most people find too difficult to handle; isolation.
Resourcefulness and determination never left the hearts of some people managing to thrive and go further - proving that no virus can stop them from chasing their dreams.
One of these people is Linkin May De Leon, a 19-year-old, 2nd-year student taking up Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) in PHINMA-University of Pangasinan.
I am personally moved by her story simply because of her bravery. We cannot deny the risks and possibilities of failing in the starting line of establishing a business, let alone doing it online while studying simultaneously.
The beginning is always the hardest, they say, and when asked what does the beginning looks like for her, she claimed, "It’s like a tangled rope waiting for you to untie the steps, the progress and little wins.”
Her small business is called "Thrifted Gems," which has been remarked for being a well-known online shop in her town.
Although it's not the beginning of her business career, this seems like a second shot. She had a small shop in 8th grade but was not consistent in selling pre-order items.
Her current business results from her love for secondhand clothing, which she came up with during the lockdown, along with thinking of what would ease her boredom. She describes it as an "old passion" she didn't know would ignite again.
When asked if she had a go-signal from the universe or in the same way within her belief that made her decide that it's time to get back, she replied, "Yes. I do love what I’m doing and this business made me more independent (than) I am before.”
Like any other person who aims to start a business, she also had doubts, especially in the beginning and now. Still, she believes that learning comes after failing, and “when you learn you win."
It might be just a matter of courage and love for what you do that would take you higher than you expected.
Most of the time, we could just use some help from people we know we can rely on, people we love and trust, and people that inspire us to believe in ourselves.
For Linkin, these people are her family, true friends, her boyfriend, and those strangers she met online who reiterates that they get inspired by her, which she's grateful for.
Linkin does have a bunch of people who believes in her together with those she inspires. Juggling her studies and her small business might be a difficult feat for her, especially because she's at the collegiate level.
Still, she says she has learned to discipline herself and balance her time for academics and business. She also explains that it's fun and beneficial for her to run a business. Linkin keeps in mind her priorities- to graduate and pass the board exams.
These victories don't mean getting into business is always sunshine and rainbows. Inevitable struggles are always present in any field.
But this is what she has to say about how she handles them; "Most of the time I don't really mind negatives, my business, dreams and goals have my focus, not them."
Running a business or not, we all have our own weapons against these struggles. As for her, those are her prayers, patience, discipline, and humility. Inspiring indeed, the only competitor she considers is herself.
The evident mushrooming of online sellers around town is one of those I have observed upon the reasons why some people withdraw from selling online.
Linkin eliminates this view as she explains,
And since we're confident that "Thrifted Gems" is on to the "Greater Heights," I asked her what's next for her business, she unravels, "There’s a lot, that I pray, work and prepare for. Actually, thrifted gems is the root of my cosmetic line, branded and brand new apparels, jewelry and shoe line. And by the end of this year (hopefully) we’ll have our own bodega of secondhand clothing.”
Establishing a business doesn’t mean you need to have tons of money before deciding to get there and start.
Hold your positivity, purest intentions, passion, and hard work on your right hand and your courage on the other, and don't look at temporary setbacks as failures.
As a cue to stop, you could go beyond Linkin's "Thrifted Gems" as one of the living examples with consistency and discipline.
If you are someone who is in doubt about starting your small business, this is what she has to tell you; “You’ll only know if you try, this is the sign.”
