Cebu's Butch Carungay wins Asia Jewelry Design Gold - Planters ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

cover storyif there were no sales for a year,” Amadaremarks. “Olongapo was a dead town atthat time. We were the only ones sellingappliances and jewelry who stayed. Withdetermination, we were able to recovergradually,” says Victor. “Determination andsacrifice,” adds Amada. “We succeededthrough prayers. We went to masseveryday.” It was not the first time that theGutierrezes faced the threat of financial ruin.Their house and warehouse were gutted byfire twice—first in 1975 and then in 1982.They had a full inventory of appliancesand jewelry at both times. Because of theirgood relationship with suppliers, Amadasays they were able to replenish their stockon credit. Their suppliers told them: “Paywhen you have money.”Doing things right “It is important topay suppliers on time,” says Amada. Shenever borrowed money that she couldnot pay. She would tell her children: “Livewithin your means.” The Gutierrezes alsomaintained a good reputation with theircustomers. “We had the confidence of thepeople,” Victor said. “They knew they couldtrust the Ocampos as storeowners.” “Serviceis the key,” adds Amada. “We are friendlywith the customers. Siyempre inaalagaannamin sila. There are 10 of us servingthem.” They introduced their children tothe business at an early age. They askedthem to help at the stores during summervacation. Later on, they sent their daughters,after graduating from college, to studyat the Gemological Institute of America(GIA) where they learned how to appraiseand select gems. Both Victor and Amadabelieve that success in business requiresworking hard, patience and commitment.“You have to climb slowly. If you go uptoo fast, you’ll fall hard when you fall,” saysAmada. “‘Yun ang sabi ng tatay ko. Welearned to stand on our own two feet withencouragement from my Dad.” “You haveto be patient,” agrees Victor. “Dedication isneeded. At first, I was the only one drivingus everywhere—from Olongapo to Manila,to Divisoria and back.” He drove a pickupAmada and Victor Ocampovol. 2 issue 3 2007 / 17
Amada neverborrowed moneythat she couldnot pay. Shewould tell herchildren: “Livewithin yourmeans.”truck that could carry four refrigerators.“We also used to sell LPG tanks,” he relates.He would pick up 15 cylinder tanks in Pasigand bring these to their store in Olongapo.“We were one of the first to sell LPG in ourarea.” “At first, we had only an owner-typejeepney,” says Amada. “We decided to takethe bus to Manilla instead because we wereafraid to leave merchandise in the jeepneywhich had no doors we could lock.”<strong>Gold</strong>en yearsToday, the appliances get deliveredto their department stores in Subic andin Dinalupihan and Balanga in Bataan.Ocampo’s also sells a variety of products,from furniture to Sony play stations. It is anauthorized dealer of Nokia and a reseller ofSony Ericson and Motorola accessories. Asidefrom Ocampo’s Fine <strong>Jewelry</strong>, the Gutierrezfamily also started the Silverworks storewhich is present in major shopping mallsnationwide. It is a Dream Satellite dealerin Olongapo, and manages STI computerschool and Penshoppe store in Balanga,and Bench boutiques in Balanga andOlongapo. It leases out properties handledby G.O. 4 & 4Property Management Corp.The family also operates Marysville HomeCare in the US; ISIP Center in Makati , whichis a venue for events, workshops and othersocial functions; and Holy Family RetreatHouse and Prado Farms in Prado, Lubao.Now retired, Victor and Amada celebratetheir 50th anniversary as a married coupleand as business partners this year. Theyhave passed on the business to their eightchildren but they still give them guidanceand advice when needed. Did theirbusiness turn out the way they expectedit to? Or did they want more?“More,” bothVictor and Amada answered almost inunison. For them, Ocampo’s continues tobe a work in progress, one that the nextand succeeding generations will continueto develop and grow.18 / sme.com.ph
Page 1 and 2: Cebu’s Butch Carungay wins Asia J
Page 3 and 4: hotlinePlantersbank CorporateCommun
Page 5 and 6: Franchising blunders to look out fo
Page 7 and 8: Based in New York, Adrian Miller is
Page 9 and 10: Cebu hosts RP’s first SMEIndustri
Page 11 and 12: Unlike other industrial parks that
Page 13 and 14: Ocampo’sFine JewelryBy Ma Liza A
Page 15: A good partnershipBoth husband and
Page 19 and 20: September 2007Rosario Acierto andso
Page 21 and 22: sme focusTeaching is in the bloodWh
Page 23 and 24: tax calendarcompensation, EWT & FWT
Page 25 and 26: Herbert M. Sancianco has over 20 ye
Page 27: ook reviewAsk 4th graders to rate y

Cebu's Butch Carungay wins Asia Jewelry Design Gold - Planters ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?