Only on OMG! - Arnel Pineda on how to avoid being duped
Journey lead singer Arnel Pineda hasn't taken up a single business subject in school.
But he opened a simple eatery with his wife across the Balintawak market when he was still a struggling artist. He also started a music bar called Rockville along Timog Avenue, Quezon City.
Both businesses have closed down, but Arnel hasn't given up on being an entrepreneur.
"The parking slot in Rockville was only good for two vehicles, so nagreklamo ang mga customers. Hindi sila makapunta ron as much as they want to kasi feelng nila hindi safe ang car nila. Hindi nila makikita ito," recalls Arnel.
So he hauled all his supplies in a warehouse, where it is now monitored on CCTV, with two people taking turns watching the monitor.
Related: Arnel Pineda continues a great journey
"Lesson number one is location. Kailangan din napaka-friendly sa business owner ang rent," he stresses. Otherwise, "parang binuhay mo na lang ang nagpapa-rent ng place."
He's now looking for a place, this time with more parking slots, to transfer Rockville to.
Too trusting
Arnel admits he made the mistake of being too trusting to a fault.
"Maraming nanloko sa akin sa business," he explains.
Arnel admits losing hundreds of thousands of pesos because his attention was divided and he couldn’t focus in running his business. Another lesson learned: focus.
"Hindi mo alam may na-miss ka na pala."
The missus is more strict and careful, he relates. So Arnel relies a lot on her.
Related: Arnel Pineda Named to Most Powerful List Asia
He also wants to rely on business books rather than his street smart stock of knowledge in running an establishment.
In fact, if he could only turn back the hands of time, Arnel says he wants to take up business courses to fully equip him for the job.
Problem is, he has no time.
Arnel is endorsing Puregold, which is celebrating tis 10th anniversary. He sings "TENkyu Po," the newest jingle of Puregold's Tindahan ni Aling Puring. "TENKyu Po" is also the title of the said company's new TVC.
In saying "TENkyu Po," Puregold is paying tribute to sari sari store owners, carinderia owners and wholesalers who are members of its Tindahan ni Aling Puring membership program.
The campaign offers free delivery , call-order-pick up service and wireless and cash-on delivery transactions to members, who are expected to come in droves for the a Sari Sari Convention on May 22 to 25 in Puregold sites in Manila, Malolos and Tagaytay.
Meanwhile, Arnel is also looking forward to a short UK tour with Journey and a US performance shortly after.
Also read: Arnel Pineda, Proud Dad To New Baby Girl
He hopes to finish an album this year.
"I want to sing forever," he muses.
"That's why hindi ako pwedeng magrelax. The pressure is constant."
Music lovers will thank Arnel eternally for that.
