Carla Abellana has been learning a lot since she opened a franchise of Posh Nails salon at Ayala Malls Feliz in Marikina City, in March 2018.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Carla said it has been her 15-year dream to have her very own nail salon.
She recalled, "I was still in high school, sabi ko sa sarili ko, 'One day, gusto ko rin ng sarili kong ganito, ng sarili kong Posh Nails.'
"I never in my life thought na dadating ako dun sa point na yun na, 'Wow, I actually did it!'
"I've reached that point na, you know, I'm capable of franchising my own nail salon, so dream come true talaga siya."
But Carla admits that starting a franchise business wasn't as easy as she initially thought.
The actress explained, "It's my first time to franchise and mahirap pala.
"Ang misconception, I guess, in terms of franchising, is that it should be easy.
"Kasi franchise na iyan, may name na iyan.
"Hindi na mahirap mag-market, ganito, everything is exact or everything is supplied already.
"Mahirap pala, sobrang challenging niya, sobrang hirap niya.
"I wouldn't know if it's just as hard as opening your own business or your own brand or mas mahirap pa nga.
"I don't know pero andun pa ako sa stage na gusto ko matutunan lahat."
PEP.ph spoke to Carla at the launch of her new endorsement last Tuesday, October 23, at One Rockwell in Makati City.
HANDS-ON ENTREPRENEUR
According to Carla, passion plays an important role when it comes to picking a business she'd want to venture in.
The Pamilya Roces star explained, "I have to actually like it, di ba?
"Why would you open a business na hindi ka interesado or wala kang alam about?
"Yun ang importante kapag magbubukas ka ng business—na interesado ka sa business and kahit papaano, may alam ka or may experience ka, or to the point na hobby mo siya or something that's close to your heart or something you're really passionate about."
For her own nail salon, she had to save up a portion of her earnings.
She said, "Kahit papaano naman, throughout my career, I would always set aside a specific budget whether it's for vacation plans or a business I would venture into.
"So kahit papaano, may naitabi naman ako.
"So dun ko na inilagay sa Posh Nails na franchise ko.
"Medyo kinulang pala, hindi enough, pero at least kahit papaano, meron namang back-up na savings, e."
Carla is very hands-on when it comes to handling her business.
"I oversee everything na day to day basis to the point na kahit nasa taping ako, nagpe-payroll ako.
"I handle everything, operations, marking, inventory, human resources, talagang lahat ako," she proudly admitted.
One of the main challenges she experienced during the early stages of putting up her business was finding the right people to hire.
She explained, "Surprisingly, a lot of Filipinos are unemployed.
"There are a lot of Filipinos who need jobs, but it's very difficult to actually be able to hire.
"Di naman kung sa very picky ang mga unemployed, pero I guess talagang hindi maiiwasan na sa economy natin ngayon, ang hirap dahil naghahanap ang lahat ng mas magandang opportunity.
"Ang hirap dahil napipilitan sila to always look for somewhere or something else to do to make them earn more money for their families.
"So ang hirap. Maraming unemployed pero ang dami mo namang competition."
CAREER AND BUSINESS
The Kapuso star further noted that it's also challenging to manage her time for both her new business and her work.
"Mahirap siya because it's one person doing everything, e, and it's my primary work.
"Ang primary work ko is an artista, so mahirap mag-divide ng time and attention.
"Wala kang tao na ma-delegate ng tasks to.
"It's very difficult but kumbaga, each day is a blessing na parang, 'Wow, nalampasan ko yun, nakaya ko yun, okay naman pala.'"
Is she planning to venture into another business soon?
She answered, "Sa ngayon wala pa, because I'm hands on sa Posh Nails.
"I also co-own a smoke BBQ restaurant called Holy Smokes in Makati City.
"Pero at least, yung attention ko, yung time ko, hindi naman required sa Holy Smokes as much as I'm required sa Posh Nails.
"I don't mind putting up my own business in the future, whatever it may be.
"May mga ideas pa naman ako, may mga plans pa naman ako pero as of now, ito na muna."