At the height of this global health scare brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the immediate wise step to do is to stay indoors.
Classes have been cancelled. Work-from-home is currently enforced. How do we stay engaged and productive?
Learn from these stories of students turned entrepreneurs who had ‘light bulb moments’ while staying at home.
Registered nurse Gabriella Gregorio was once strapped for money during college; so she decided to sell some of her preloved items online. Gregorio shares, “When I saw this e-commerce ad, a little light bulb lit inside my head.” She saw the online platform’s potential in helping her raise the necessary funds to cover school expenses.
“I was born into an average family, and managing finances was never easy. My sister and I were both in college where it’s expected that most of my parents’ salaries would go to our school expenses.” Troubled by how to resolve their tight money problems, she started selling clothes she seldomly wore, bags she never used, and books she’s had since she was little.
Seeing the potential in selling preloved items wouldn’t have taught her how to be smarter about money, but wouldn’t lead her to her aspirations of being a nurse and being of service to others.
An entrepreneur who took to e-commerce, Allister Chua, earned up to Php 20,000 just by selling things he used to love and no longer find the need for anymore. He claims that ever since he was introduced to the online platform, he’s been hooked. “I have since become a supporter of the pre-loved movement, especially where rather rare finds are concerned, and I can’t help but think of them as bargains or dreams come true. I’m so happy that both the things I buy and actively use, and the things I successfully sell, are not wasting away in a closet or a landfill, and are instead being enjoyed.”
Chua’s first listings were his much-loved shoes and boots, “I felt I could now bring joy to someone else’s life more than mine. I was surprised by how quickly I got a buyer for two pairs – we both have a similar footwear interest and taste, and we even exchanged shoe care tips!” The innovations of technology have paved the way for people like Chua to gain a world of opportunities. For people who are experiencing roadblocks and are in need to find a channel of passive income they can rely on, Chua encourages them to make the leap. “Just do it, post away! You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Patience, flexibility, and open-mindedness will get you a long way.”
With the current nationwide lockdown, people are turning to online buying and selling. It is more favorable, beneficial, and can even be a way to help and send support to others in need. People can run businesses, or start an avenue for passive income, in the safety of their own homes.
Carousell is a one-stop shop that makes buying and selling online done with ease. Users aren’t required a hefty amount in investment. It has a user-friendly dashboard which is ready-to-go. Moreover, this cybercommerce opens consumers, entrepreneurs, and all to a wide array of services, automobiles, properties for sale/rent, apparel, and miscellaneous finds.
But more than that, it’s a platform that serves as a training ground to learn entrepreneurial skills, and inspire meaningful connections. So if you’re finding yourself in a slump, go around your homes, forage for things, take photos and list them online!
