While he was one of many entrepreneurs who were reeling from the effects of the pandemic, Ran Macadangdang tried and succeeded to rise above it. His introduction to online franchise businesses saved the day for him, as it changed the course of his entrepreneurial career forever.
Like countless Filipinos, businessman Ran Macadangdang, president of Kihon Clothing Line Inc., isn’t impervious to the ill effects of the ongoing pandemic. Through it all though, he was able to eventually dust himself off and find ways to bounce back, and even thrive in its aftermath.
Raised in a Filipino-Chinese family, Ran, the second to the youngest in a brood of five, grew up thinking that he was born to head a business. Despite graduating with a degree in Human Resource Management from the De La Salle University-College of Saint Benilde, he never once pictured himself working for someone else in the corporate world.
“I was raised with an entrepreneurial mindset. I wanted to finish college, but I wasn’t bogged down by thoughts that I should have high grades. Even then, my mindset was to put up my own business soon after graduation,” Ran shares in a mix of English and Filipino.
Soon after college, upon his father’s encouragement, he flew to China to study Mandarin at Xiamen University. Both father and son felt he needed to learn and speak the language fluently if he were to succeed in today’s business world. Back in China, he also worked as a part-time teacher, enabling him to save up. Upon his return home, he used the money as seed capital for his first business venture—garments.
“I love to design clothes so that became my first business,” he says. His first foray into garments required him to purchase a heat press machine printer while sourcing out for shirts he could personalize and sell at the malls. By partnering with and supplying one of the biggest chains in the country, Ran was able to grow the business in the intervening years.
But just as things were starting to look up, the pandemic hampered the garments business. Retail also hit a brick wall, as malls closed indefinitely, confined to selling only “essential” products during a series of extended lockdowns. The economy’s initial reopening hardly helped, as people then tended to be cautious and hardly went out to shop.
Crisis and opportunities
At first, Ran was optimistic, thinking that this would all blow over in no time. The optimist in him even viewed it as a much-needed, extended break after years of hard work. Several months into the crisis though, Ran began to feel uneasy and anxious. Not only was money not coming in, he was also worried for his employees and felt responsible for them.
“As a businessman, it pained me to see my employees lose their jobs. Even if there’s no revenue coming in, you feel the need to hang on and support them. It’s a test not only of your ability as a businessman, but also the kind of person you are. Despite the monthly income statement, I must still help my people,” he shares.
It was then that he thought of exploring a new business opportunity. “Online franchise businesses are a new concept for me, but why not try it? I wasn’t doing much back then. You won’t know how good something is unless you give it a shot, right?” he says.
“I tried the Siomai King online franchise. It’s a fresh concept, one that fit well into the goals of those who are looking to earn in the time of the pandemic. Here, one can do business and make a living without leaving home and being exposed to the virus,” shares Ran. “It also helps that it required minimal financial capital to get started.”
To his surprise, the returns were much bigger than what he initially expected. JC’s unique franchising model allowed him to sell a wide variety of JC Premiere health and wellness products, and even offer the services of homegrown delivery and logistics brand toktok. Eventually, Ran’s decision to try something new brought him various investment opportunities that displayed much potential for growth, despite the uncertain business landscape that prevailed back then.
“Because of these innovations in the online franchise business and the leadership of the owners of these companies, you can now have a three-in-one business in online franchise,” Ran says.
Though initially a stranger to this type of business model, he quickly learned to navigate his way. Ran readily shares with others the skills and preparation he did to embark on this new journey. First, he reminds, to have an open mind in order to not waste an opportunity that will possibly bring fruitful outcome for you. “Grab any opportunity that you think would do you good. As in every endeavor, you just need the right attitude and right mindset,” he says. “Of course, you must put your heart in what you are doing for it to grow and result in something great.
The online franchise business did not only help him grow his income exponentially, but also enabled him to fulfill some dreams during the pandemic. His greatest fulfillment comes from being able to empower a lot of people and making a difference in their lives.
“I feel a sense of triumph knowing that I have made a great, positive impact on countless people’s lives through the online franchising business,” he says. “I literally witnessed how the lives of my business partners improved for the better. Their smiles and the fact that their families are proud of what they have achieved — those are things I truly treasure.”
Asked about the lessons he learned from his 10 years of entrepreneurship, Ran readily shares his thoughts.
“Failures and hardships are not the end of everything. Failure also gives us a chance to start on new beginnings. It gives us a new chance to learn, strive, broaden and strengthen our personality. Keep on trying and never give up. Let hope be your inspiration and ultimate motivator,” he advises. – By Grace C. Diez
