The 1st of September

This September marked my 1 and a half years with Halina. Grabe no? The days go by so fast! I remember last February 2019 when I resigned at my job and my colleagues kept asking me "Saan ka na? Ano na gagawin mo?" hahaha. I can't answer their question directly, puro joke lang ang sinasabi ko "magso-soul searching, mamumundok, magpapakasal"

I think the only people I told my plan are my close officemates (na katabi ko sa table) and my CEO, Sir Marl. Still, what I said was something so general and a loose plan, "gagawa po ng hikaw" yan lang sinabi ko. Quitting a fulfilling (and a stressful haha) job that I had for 1 years and 8 months to suddenly make earrings? Something unbelievable. Diba, parang paano ko i-explain? Pakiramdam ko kasi baka walang maniwala, at hindi pa rin ako sigurado sa kaya kong gawin.

But the thing is, ever since I submitted my resignation on December 2019, until leaving the office 2 months later, I have been preparing for Halina. I still didn't have the name or the logo, but I was already doing my market research, who will be my competitors in the Philippines? What does the handmade accessories market looks like? Ano ba ang okay na pricing? Everyday, slowly I was preparing for my dream business. Looking at what's the uso (it was tassels back then) and what materials I would like to use.

I wasn't new to making earrings, last April 2018, I launched my 1st ever earring collection with my other business (now @halinaflowers). I was using the cheapest materials for my first pairs, and selling them for P80 - P100. Still, I was overwhelmed with the support and orders I got, I also had a reseller and with the few designs I put out, nabawi ko an ang lahat ng puhunan ko at marami pang natirang materials. 

I just knew at the back of my mind that I could do something bigger with the earrings. It took me almost a year from the 1st ever collection in April 2018 to finally starting Halina by February 2019. The wait was worth it, and I'm also happy that I didn't give up the idea of starting the business during that time. 

When I started the business I said to myself, "Okay, tignan lang natin ng 6 months, if this will work-out I will continue until December. If not, I'm getting back to the workforce". I'm so, so thankful that it's now September 2020 and Halina is still here. I'm still making earrings and accessories as a full-time business. 

Wala kasi talagang nag-expect! Pati mismo sarili ko, hindi ko in-expect na lalaki nang ganito ang Halina at lalong mage-evolve ang aking creativity. I have the biggest smile while writing this blog entry :) Super salamat po sa iyo na nagbabasa, na naging follower ng Halina, nakilala ako at nagiging witness po ng growth nitong napaka-mini business! To more months, years to come for crafting!