FREELANCER TURNED SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR

“Riding a bike gave me wounds and scars yet I still continue because I know this is part of the learning process .
It taught me to look forward, concentrate, take a balance life and being focus."

When I was a child I ask lot of questions. How voices of people was stored in a transistor radio? How millions of people put themselves in a box called television?
But now that how questions lead to one action, that how question needs an answer and now I’m on the process of creating an answer and to complete this process 
I need your help.

LCGS Online Marketing is a start up non store retailer of office furniture we have no physical store yet, we maximize the resources that we have. We work online and we can work anywhere yet even digital, we also need a personal touch to our clients because trust and good relationship is our core value. 

Recognized as one of Top 40 Social Enterprise 

“If you want something work for it, pray for it and claim it.”

“Be a better version of yourself everyday.”

Online+Schedule=Output
Working on line most of the time has its own advantage because it gives me freedom to work anytime, and anywhere but it also needs discipline, courage and right focus if not, temptation to play your favorite games, chat with your friends even you’re working , or go to one page to another.
It works for me when I have this list to do and task to finish on this schedule if not, it’s like looking for a place without a map you can’t go anywhere. As time is gold so our focus must realigned with our goals and actions. 

ABOUT YOU
Name:	Julie Ann Nolasco Soriano
Email Address:	julie.lcgsolinemarketing@gmail.com
YOUR BUSINESS
Business Name:	LCGS Online Marketing
When was it established?	2016
How did you come up with this business name?	LCGS means Light Connection Group Support. This name was taken from our small group named CG (caring group) and later on become LG (Light Group) in this small group we pray for our dreams this small group is under Light of Jesus Community I was inspired because through this small group I feel bless, empowered and loved.
What is your business about? What are the products/services that you offer?	LCGS  is a non store retailer of office furniture and equipment. We also do customized tables and cabinet (carpentry works)
Where is your business located? What kind of office do you have (e.g. home office, coffee shop, co-working space, etc.)?	It is a non store retail of office furniture so most of the time we market it online through different social media platform. LCGS Online Marketing is a start up non store retailer of office furniture we have no physical store yet, we maximize the resources that we have. We work online and we can work anywhere yet even digital, we also need a personal touch to our clients.
What made you choose this particular trade/industry/line of business?	My paternal side (grand father and father) are both carpenters and when I was young my play ground is a construction site and later on most of my jobs is in a furniture firm.
What do you believe makes your business stand out?	We can customized cabinet, fast delivery and also price is negotiable.
Is it always necessary to be passionate about what your business is about in order for it to succeed?
(Mandatory: Tell us your story) What ignited the spark in you to start this business? When did this happen?	LCGS Online Marketing was started because of Jomel a skilled worker who needs job so he can provide for his family, that moment when he asked "Mam do we have project?" wow I thought I'm just a freelance who can work on my own time but hey wait Jomel one of my skilled worker associate, whom I called every time I have project but that project is not consistent, I remember that moment  year 2012 and promised myself to be more consistent to find project because it's not just me but there's a person like Jomel with a family to feed for. That's the start of LCGS it is not just  an online store of office furniture but it helps to give jobs to skilled workers like carpenter, welder, electrician and other skilled worker.
How did you obtain capital? Were there investors? If yes, how did you entice them into believing in and investing on your idea?	Capital? I borrowed Php 20,000.00 from my brother I used this money to get all the legal and necessary permit to operate. The investor are my loyal clients who even I’m a freelance and work for different companies they still call me every time they have office requirements. Every time we deliver and installed modular partition and other office furniture I feel satisfied and can say I’m part of this company. We are not only a supplier but we are a part of every company that we work with.
YOUR STRATEGY
How did you build your customer base? What form of marketing has been most effective for you so far?	Saturation, giving flyers and brochure to every construction site, offices. Visiting Trade fair and exhibit.Email blast, text blast, telemarketing, social media platform, fb, ig, twitter, blogs, linked. Online Marketing is the most effective and cost efficient.
How do you generate new ideas for your business’ growth?	I always read books, attend seminars, look for good mentor and always observe and asked what is the need of our clients.
What kind of company culture are you implementing/would like to implement? What are your core values?	Open and clear communication with our associate Our priority is quality rather than quantity. Trust and good relationship is our core value
How do you deal with major mishaps? What would you say is one of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?	I always pray that the good Lord give me wisdom and enlighten me. Biggest mistake is trusting too much and doing things without careful planning.
What skills do you believe are necessary in handling a business?	Aside from technical and soft skills, it’s a combination of common sense, problem solving, people management, balance life is a must                ( healthy physically,mentally,spiritually, financially, socially, emotionally)
What would you say are some “do’s” and “don’ts” in starting one?	·        Be creative. ·        Even how small you are pay your taxes on time if you can’t do it delegate it to an accountant. ·        Don’t give up.
Was there ever a time you felt afraid that this might not work? How did you manage this fear?	Every time I have difficult decision to make I pray and ask wisdom from Him, I also asked advised to the elders then I just do it and on the process I realized every problem has its own solution.
If you have any interesting facts/trivia about your business that you’d like to share, kindly share them.	The original name supposed to be is CG Enterprise Taken from the name of our small group caring group but it was already taken. Until it become LCGS, but LCGS was not accepted by DTI and I put Online Marketing thinking that the documents is lesser than with physical store but I was wrong J
YOUR DAY + MORE ABOUT YOU
Describe a typical day for you.	Typical day? I prioritized the most urgent and important ones.
How many hours of work a day do you put in?  How many days per week?	If I have rush project I work 21hours and take just 2-3 hours of sleep. I work 6 days and Sunday is for community service.
What is your greatest fear?	My greatest fear is death.
What sacrifices have you had to make to get here?	One of the sacrifice that I made is working alone, understanding the skilled worker on their own language and you have to do the physical hard work if necessary so they will do understand and do it by example. Working with men most of the time you have to sacrifice your pride, work for it and prove that women can also do carpentry work and not just a typical modest woman who do the house hold chores. We women can do more.
What can you consider is your greatest success?	My greatest success for now is I can provide for my family and help to give jobs to the skilled worker and last July 2019 LCGS was recognized as one of the top 40 social enterprise.
What would you say is the "secret to success"?	The secret to success know why you are doing it and make it meaningful. To be successful you have to dream and to achieve it but to be a significant person you must empower others and help them to achieve their dreams.
What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?	Favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur is the freedom of choice. I can manage my time freely, choose whom to work with and you can help to create jobs to the community.
What motivates you? Who has been your greatest inspiration?	What motivates me first my family. My greatest inspiration is my Lola Juana I love her but she died poor in my early 20’s and promised to alleviate the life  of our family. Now I’m working on a digital trash bin project with a hash tag #JuanaShootThatKalat in memory of her. The success of this project is a gift for my Inang lola Juana.
Where do you see yourself and your business in 10 years?	10 years from now we direct import our product and also export our local produce furniture. Have Physical Store and have regional branches. Uplift the life of skilled workers.
FINALLY…
Do you consider yourself an ambitious person? Explain why.	Yes. Because I don’t stop learning new things in order to grow myself, my business and give impact to the community.
Do you think being ambitious helped/helps you in business? How?	Yes. Because it helps me to think creatively, innovatively and create new business ideas and development as well.
What piece of advice can you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?	Have the grit. Be humble in order to learn new things even to the dull and seems ignorant to the eyes of people you can learn from them. Have that hunger for success yet always keep grounded and have faith with yourself and acknowledge that you can’t do it alone you need the help of others and yes your God.

Please provide a short profile:

Example: “Julie Soriano is the founder and CEO of LCGS Online Marketing. A freelancer turned entrepreneur who work with the skilled worker, her dream is to empower and give jobs to skilled workers. Her rule in making furniture is“Quality rather than quantity”. Her company supply office furniture to small and medium companies. They also make customized table and cabinet and other carpentry works furniture. Aside from Office furniture they also supply paper shredder and now she is currently working on a digital trash bin project an equipment that will help to educate every Filipino how to segregate waste disposal in a fun way. 

And any relevant social media links so our readers can contact you for projects and/or inquires.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LCGSONLINEMARKETING/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jolly1dreamer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jolly1Dreamer

YouTube: https://youtu.be/g8VGXabm3As

LinkedIn: https://ph.linkedin.com/in/julie-ann-soriano-a173871a

ABOUT YOU

Name:

Julie Ann Nolasco Soriano

Email Address:

julie.lcgsolinemarketing@gmail.com

YOUR BUSINESS

Business Name:

LCGS Online Marketing

When was it established?

2016

How did you come up with this business name?

LCGS means Light Connection Group Support. This name was taken from our small group named CG (caring group) and later on become LG (Light Group) in this small group we pray for our dreams this small group is under Light of Jesus Community I was inspired because through this small group I feel bless, empowered and loved.

What is your business about? What are the products/services that you offer?

LCGS  is a non store retailer of office furniture and equipment. We also do customized tables and cabinet (carpentry works)

Where is your business located? What kind of office do you have (e.g. home office, coffee shop, co-working space, etc.)?

It is a non store retail of office furniture so most of the time we market it online through different social media platform. LCGS Online Marketing is a start up non store retailer of office furniture we have no physical store yet, we maximize the resources that we have. We work online and we can work anywhere yet even digital, we also need a personal touch to our clients.

What made you choose this particular trade/industry/line of business?

My paternal side (grand father and father) are both carpenters and when I was young my play ground is a construction site and later on most of my jobs is in a furniture firm.

What do you believe makes your business stand out?

We can customized cabinet, fast delivery and also price is negotiable.

Is it always necessary to be passionate about what your business is about in order for it to succeed?

(Mandatory: Tell us your story) What ignited the spark in you to start this business? When did this happen?

LCGS Online Marketing was started because of Jomel a skilled worker who needs job so he can provide for his family, that moment when he asked "Mam do we have project?" wow I thought I'm just a freelance who can work on my own time but hey wait Jomel one of my skilled worker associate, whom I called every time I have project but that project is not consistent, I remember that moment  year 2012 and promised myself to be more consistent to find project because it's not just me but there's a person like Jomel with a family to feed for. That's the start of LCGS it is not just  an online store of office furniture but it helps to give jobs to skilled workers like carpenter, welder, electrician and other skilled worker.

How did you obtain capital? Were there investors? If yes, how did you entice them into believing in and investing on your idea?

Capital? I borrowed Php 20,000.00 from my brother I used this money to get all the legal and necessary permit to operate. The investor are my loyal clients who even I’m a freelance and work for different companies they still call me every time they have office requirements. Every time we deliver and installed modular partition and other office furniture I feel satisfied and can say I’m part of this company. We are not only a supplier but we are a part of every company that we work with.

YOUR STRATEGY

How did you build your customer base? What form of marketing has been most effective for you so far?

Saturation, giving flyers and brochure to every construction site, offices. Visiting Trade fair and exhibit.Email blast, text blast, telemarketing, social media platform, fb, ig, twitter, blogs, linked. Online Marketing is the most effective and cost efficient.

How do you generate new ideas for your business’ growth?

I always read books, attend seminars, look for good mentor and always observe and asked what is the need of our clients.

What kind of company culture are you implementing/would like to implement? What are your core values?

Open and clear communication with our associate

Our priority is quality rather than quantity.

Trust and good relationship is our core value

How do you deal with major mishaps? What would you say is one of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?

I always pray that the good Lord give me wisdom and enlighten me. Biggest mistake is trusting too much and doing things without careful planning.

What skills do you believe are necessary in handling a business?

Aside from technical and soft skills, it’s a combination of common sense, problem solving, people management, balance life is a must                ( healthy physically,mentally,spiritually, financially, socially, emotionally)

What would you say are some “do’s” and “don’ts” in starting one?

·        Be creative.

·        Even how small you are pay your taxes on time if you can’t do it delegate it to an accountant.

·        Don’t give up.

Was there ever a time you felt afraid that this might not work? How did you manage this fear?

Every time I have difficult decision to make I pray and ask wisdom from Him, I also asked advised to the elders then I just do it and on the process I realized every problem has its own solution.

If you have any interesting facts/trivia about your business that you’d like to share, kindly share them.

The original name supposed to be is CG Enterprise

Taken from the name of our small group caring group but it was already taken. Until it become LCGS, but LCGS was not accepted by DTI and I put Online Marketing thinking that the documents is lesser than with physical store but I was wrong J

YOUR DAY + MORE ABOUT YOU

Describe a typical day for you.

Typical day? I prioritized the most urgent and important ones.

How many hours of work a day do you put in?  How many days per week?

If I have rush project I work 21hours and take just 2-3 hours of sleep. I work 6 days and Sunday is for community service.

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is death.

What sacrifices have you had to make to get here?

One of the sacrifice that I made is working alone, understanding the skilled worker on their own language and you have to do the physical hard work if necessary so they will do understand and do it by example. Working with men most of the time you have to sacrifice your pride, work for it and prove that women can also do carpentry work and not just a typical modest woman who do the house hold chores. We women can do more.

What can you consider is your greatest success?

My greatest success for now is I can provide for my family and help to give jobs to the skilled worker and last July 2019 LCGS was recognized as one of the top 40 social enterprise.

What would you say is the "secret to success"?

The secret to success know why you are doing it and make it meaningful. To be successful you have to dream and to achieve it but to be a significant person you must empower others and help them to achieve their dreams.

What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

Favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur is the freedom of choice. I can manage my time freely, choose whom to work with and you can help to create jobs to the community.

What motivates you? Who has been your greatest inspiration?

What motivates me first my family. My greatest inspiration is my Lola Juana I love her but she died poor in my early 20’s and promised to alleviate the life  of our family. Now I’m working on a digital trash bin project with a hash tag #JuanaShootThatKalat in memory of her. The success of this project is a gift for my Inang lola Juana.

Where do you see yourself and your business in 10 years?

10 years from now we direct import our product and also export our local produce furniture. Have Physical Store and have regional branches. Uplift the life of skilled workers.

FINALLY…

Do you consider yourself an ambitious person? Explain why.

Yes. Because I don’t stop learning new things in order to grow myself, my business and give impact to the community.

Do you think being ambitious helped/helps you in business? How?

Yes. Because it helps me to think creatively, innovatively and create new business ideas and development as well.

What piece of advice can you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Have the grit. Be humble in order to learn new things even to the dull and seems ignorant to the eyes of people you can learn from them. Have that hunger for success yet always keep grounded and have faith with yourself and acknowledge that you can’t do it alone you need the help of others and yes your God.