Resilience, agility, and the ability to quickly adapt and soar above the challenges are some of the key characteristics that can become handy amid the economic downturn brought about by the global health crisis.

According to 2020 data generated from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), of the 916,163 total registrations, 91 percent were considered new business applications. This is 44 percent higher than the total registrations in 2019.

Among those who have ventured into setting up their own businesses are our Allstar pilots. While demand for air travel is still on the road to recovery, these aviators have really done their best to maximize their time by allowing their innovative ideas to take off.

YOU’VE GOT TEA: TIME FOR FAMILY

During the onset of last year’s lockdown, Captain Allan Roque and his wife exchanged bright ideas on how to earn extra money while maximizing their family time at home.

Deciding on which product to sell was a no brainer for Capt. Roque’s family who are all self-confessed pizza and Taiwanese milk tea lovers. Not long after the start of the pandemic,they opened You’ve Got Tea, which started as a home business and eventually had to be scaled up with a physical space to accommodate growing demand.

And indeed, opportunities keep opening up for those who are willing to embrace the challenges. In December of 2020, they opened another food venture, this time an authentic Japanese Street style ramen restaurant.

What helped Capt. Roque during these turbulent times is his foresight as a pilot. He said, “In this time of crisis, we should know how to maximize time and resources. We just have to keep our eyes open and learn to embrace change and make an opportunity out of it. Lucky for me, I don’t have to look elsewhere. For my family, food is our life so I just had to pick it up from there.”

BREWING DREAMS AND INNOVATION

Like Captain Roque, First Officer Genesis Sunga was already brewing the idea of opening a coffee shop even before the pandemic hit. What inspired him to pursue his business was the increasing demand for coffee and the inaccessibility of coffee shops during the lockdown. Not to mention his love and passion for coffee.

For FO Sunga, the situation, like coffee, is a perfect brew, and he and some of his friends made sure to stir the demand. However, the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases during the latter part of 2020 forced them to close shop.

But his training and character as a pilot allowed him to maneuver through dark clouds, FO Sunga did not give up. Like everyone else, he opted to go digital!

With the success of his online coffee shop, he is now looking forward to opening a physical store in Nueva Ecija next month.

“The current situation has allowed me to balance work and business. I’m currently managing the business full-time. However, I know that the time will come where I will be flying again,” FO Sunga shared with high optimism.

CRAFTING A PLACE BEYOND THE SKIES

Line Captain Johansen Hernandez has been managing his furniture business longer than he started his flying career. For 18 years, his business JWGC Johansen World Group Corporation has been supplying tables, chairs and other furniture to top hotels and realty companies throughout the country. He also has a long list of international partners who regularly require a fresh inventory of furniture.

A skilled craftsman, Captain Hernandez said because of the limited flights, he is now able to spend more time growing his business, creating new designs and improving his inventory list.

“What is important apart from a vision is hard work. Right now, the world is rapidly changing and it’s accelerated by Covid-19. Since we are all restricted to our homes during these times, digitalization is also important. It makes trade easier. Taking time to plan, train, systematically improve and adapt to changes will lead to a greater chance of success”, said Capt. Hernandez.

PUTTING THE AIRASIA VALUES TO PRACTICE

Capt. Hernandez, Capt. Roque and FO Sunga have one thing in common--- the desire to make it happen. Indeed, during these turbulent times one must have a strong will and have the mindset of a winner to prevail.

According to these enterprising aviators, understanding current market trends, finding your passion and embracing realities will also help you navigate during these challenging times.

While we all look forward to a strong recovery post pandemic, it may also be wise to reimagine and rethink our options so we all have a fallback in case another turbulence hits the industry.

For those interested in putting up a small business, the government through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is offering online courses on entrepreneurship such as Managing your Personal Finances and Start and Improve your Business. Visit the TESDA website at e-tesda.gov.ph. Interested applicants may also contact TESDA through tesdaonlineprogram@tesda.gov.ph or phone number (02) 8887-7777.

Allstar ENTREPilots: Turning challenges to opportunities