Sweet fruits of one’s labor

It is rare to come across a man who has secured a better financial standing in life because of diligence and honest labor.

From an employee of a well known drug company, he now manages nearly 60 stores spread all over the Philippines.

Says Glenn Cosme, “I’ve always dreamt of owning my own business where I can apply the skills I’ve learned from working in the drug retail industry.  It’s a very people-oriented industry so I learned how to genuinely care for people—to attend to their needs and be in tune with what they really want.

“One day, while strolling inside a mall, he saw people queuing behind a counter of a stall that sells wrapped sandwiches. It was then that the idea of securing a franchise was hatched. The store was named Flying Saucer and Cosme lost no time in getting in touch with the owner.  He found an amiable, but extremely professional entrepreneur behind the brand and was immediately convinced that he found the right business partner.

“He knows that the success of any organization lies on the strength of its components. Having worked for a large company, alam ko how true it is.  That’s why I exhausted all means to raise the franchise fee,“ he relates.

Cosme secured a loan from his company and asked a relative to share in the business.  Because he was so fired up, his company approved the loan and his relative agreed to his business proposal.

It has not been a smooth ride, he says, but a journey that required lots of patience and dedication.  Since he was still working for the drug company at that time, he had to work hours on end, often requesting his superiors for a day working shift to be able to attend to his business in the afternoon—on a shift that often lasts until the wee hours of the morning.

“I do my own accounting and personally attend to inventories in the beginning.  Kaya noon I had to work until the morning para lang maasikaso ko ang business while doing my regular duties as an employee,’’ he says.

In 2008 the owner of Flying Saucer decided to concentrate on expanding Fruitas nationwide, one of several brands he owns. Capitalizing on the healthy lifestyle trend and the growing clamor for more beneficial and nutritious refreshments, Fruitas was gaining ground as a reputable brand for Filipinos. Realizing the benefits of drinking fresh fruit juice, Cosme readily embraced the task of expansion and became managing partner for outside Metro Manila.

Soon Cosme was managing multiple stores at once. The new venture gave him the chance to apply the knowledge and expertise he gained from working from the reputable company.

Today, Cosme manages nearly 60 stores located in malls and commercial centers all over the country.  Effectively managing such a large number of stores, can be very tasking, he admits, but not impossible.

He has this advice: “You have to believe in the product you are selling, because if you are in it only for the money, it is not going to be successful.  Secondly, you have to develop a very good working relationship with your staff—one that is based on mutual trust.  You are not always there to check on every store so your staff should be well trained to handle day-to-day operations and make important decisions when the need arises,” he tells.

For inquiries, call 0938-788.8888 / 02-330.2889 or visit House of FRUITAS 68 Data St. corner Cordillera St., Brgy. Don Manuel, Quezon City, PH.