One inspiring success story is about Ms. Arlene B. Rivera of Santa Rosa City, Laguna. She is a determined and passionate entrepreneur, embarked on a remarkable journey in the world of direct selling of her own formulated and mixed scents, Scentbox Fragrances. Arlene had always been fascinated by the power of scents. Her keen sense of smell, combined with a deep appreciation for high-quality fragrances, inspired her to pursue her dream of sharing these scents with the world. She started her business by looking for other opportunities besides her regular job back then. Since her financial need is getting bigger and her regular salary is not enough, she has decided to engage in several direct selling businesses like Sophie Paris, Natasha and Fragrances. She only used a small amount of capital and then later increases the fund as time goes by. Her nature of business is direct selling of a variety of Scentbox Fragrances, such as perfumes, room sprays, car perfume, and essential oils.

In the early days, she faced numerous challenges, including finding the right suppliers and managing the logistics of sourcing and distributing a variety of scents. She also needed to build a team of like-minded individuals who shared her vision and enthusiasm for the products she offered. Arlene’s journey was not without setbacks. There were moments of doubt and uncertainty, but her unwavering dedication and strong work ethic kept her moving forward. She knew that success required persistence, adaptability, and the ability to learn from every obstacle she encountered.

Her story did not end there. As the pandemic unfolded in 2020, her business was not immune to its effects. Government-imposed lockdowns and restrictions led to a decline in customer footfall and disrupted the supply chain, making it difficult to maintain regular operations. The once stable business faced reduced customer traffic due to people staying at home and prioritizing essential purchases. Thus, they have decided to halt the business for some time. They needed to follow the government policy and adapt to it. After a while, the restrictions loosened a bit and little by little they continue again their small business.

Then, through the Laguna Provincial Office of the Department of Trade and Industry, she attended training courses and participated at the One Town One Product Program, and definitely it levelled up her business. Arlene then established their physical store in Cabuyao City. Currently, the Department is helping her to promote her products by inviting her to every scheduled bazaar like in Enchanted Kingdom, Waltermart Banlic and other locations. Arlene recognized the importance of staying ahead of industry trends and understanding her target market. She attended trade shows and worked closely with her suppliers to offer the latest fragrances and stay competitive in the market. Her relentless pursuit of innovation and high-quality products kept Scentbox Fragrances relevant in an ever-evolving industry.

One of the key elements of Arlene’s success was her commitment to prove excellent customer service. She believed that building trust with her customers was paramount. She made it a point to personally engage with her clients, educating them about the benefits of the different fragrances and helping them find scents that suited their preferences. This personal touch and attention to detail set Scentbox Fragrances apart from competitors.

She also said, end quote, “You need to have a good mind-set and positive goals, a lot of patience and focus. As an entrepreneur, you also need to gain more knowledge on how to do business by investing in yourself through reading and watching videos involving business management. This is vital in reaching more people and areas that will give you lots of opportunities in showcasing your business.” You can find her business at their bazaars/exhibits at South Supermarket Santa Rosa City Laguna, Vistamall Santa Rosa City, Waltermart Santa Rosa City and Waltermart Cabuyao Banlic, as per bazaar schedule. As for their future plans, they would like to reach more areas like Biñan, Calamba, Carmona Cavite (South Luzon areas) and others (North Luzon areas). With this, they can also create jobs for our Filipino citizens at the same time sharing their products to the community.

Ms. Arlene B. Rivera’s journey from a small start-up to a successful business owner is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and perseverance. Her story should inspire countless entrepreneurs to follow their dreams and turn their passions into thriving enterprises, proving that, with the right mix of ambition, hard work, and unwavering commitment, success is just a scent away. ♦

Date of Release: 17 November 2023

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