u/mcs0091

I recently started working at a foreign company that just opened its first branch here in the Philippines, and so far, my first impression has actually been pretty positive.

Since this is their first branch outside their homebase, I can really feel how much they want to get everything right. The standards are quite high and the processes are very strict from the actual services, system, workplace conduct, and even how we communicate with the senior foreign staff. It is not in anyway abusive but in respect.

There’s also a noticeable professional hierarchy. We have to observe certain foreign manners when talking to the senior staff, especially the top staff from the certain team. At first, it’s something I’m still getting used to because it’s different from what I’m accustomed to in a Filipino workplace.

Our manager is filipino who and also serves as an interpreter. He’s quite strict, but very approachable and hands-on when teaching us. He really knows what he’s doing and even some of the staff have been helping teach us. One of the other new staff members has only been here for four days but able to get it right, so we're all pretty much adjusting and learning.

I’ve also met the local partners/bosses already, and they’ve been very warm, approachable, firm, and kind. So far, I actually like the overall environment and the people. I haven’t gotten the chance to properly talk to everyone yet, though, so I know this is still just my first impression.

The training is definitely a lot, especially having to learn the actual job while also adjusting to the workplace culture and standards. 😅 But honestly, I’m hoping I do well because I would really like to stay here. Im very happy that there is actually a proper orientation + basic training already unlike some of the companies ive been to and there is a process and standard.

When you feel that the processes, standards, professionalism are equally important it eventually becomes a great working environment. I didnt feel stressed or overwhelmed at all compared to other jobs. I immediately took this post. Now i just need to make an impression.

For those who have worked for foreign companies/businesses (ie Korean) in the Philippines, did you also experience this kind of strict hierarchy and attention to workplace manners? And did it eventually become easier to adjust to?

I would also love to stay in this company bec i have a good feeling about them. This is the first time in a while that i feel good about the job/environment.

Finally got hired after 2 months! I’d been applying consistently, but kept getting rejected, or the job would suddenly close whenever I applied through job portals.

My goal was really to find a job within a close distance from home so I wouldn’t have to waste time and money on transportation. I eventually tried applying through BGC/Taguig hiring Facebook groups, and after my final interview, I got hired almost immediately because it was an urgent position.

I immediately liked the HR manager the person who recruited me and I also really liked the vibe of the workplace as soon as I walked in. The shift is mid-shift, but I’m honestly okay with it since the workplace is only about a 20-minute walk from home.

The salary is decent, but more importantly, I’m glad to have a stable, recurring source of income again. After two months of applying and dealing with all those rejections and closed job postings, finally getting hired feels like a huge relief. I also have a side business so that is also a source of income as well.

My self advice if you like the company or the brand, get this prioritized because for sure you will enjoy the work that you do and a chance to excel.

Receptionist - Beauty Industry

Im already studying about the products and the brand.

Nakakainis yung mga company na naghahanap ng 2–3 years EXACT experience pero entry-level naman yung sahod. Tapos tinatawagan ka pa kahit wala kang exact experience na kailangan nila. Waste of time. 😭

Like, paano ba talaga magkaka-experience kung lahat ng jobs kailangan may experience ka na???

Recently may nag-contact sa akin for a PA position. Interested naman ako kasi gusto ko rin magkaroon ulit ng experience in this kind of role. Then I find out na they require 2–3 years of PA/EA experience, pero yung salary around ₱20k pa rin. I tried applying even if i do not reach the requirement because WHY NOT. They might accept base on job interview or even relevant experience.💀

Ang nakakainis, nasa resume ko naman lahat. Nakalagay na naging Executive Assistant ako to a CEO before, plus experience in admin, operations, and customer service.

So nakita niyo na yung resume ko bago niyo ako tinawagan. Bakit during the process saka niyo sasabihin na kailangan pala ng 2–3 years exact experience? 😭

Gets ko naman if you want someone experienced. Pero paano magkakaroon ng experience kung every job requires 2–3 years of experience in the exact same position?

Kailangan ng experience para makakuha ng trabaho.
Kailangan ng trabaho para magkaroon ng experience.

Tapos if may transferable experience ka naman pero hindi sakto sa checklist nila, hindi pa rin enough.

And honestly, ang weird din na gusto niyo ng experienced, independent candidate pero entry-level-ish yung pay. Gusto niyo someone na hindi na kailangang turuan, kayang mag-solve ng problems on their own, pero ₱20k range pa rin?

HOW??? 😭

Hindi naman ako naghahanap ng trabaho na walang requirements. Gets ko na may roles talaga na hindi ako qualified for.

Pero kung strict requirement talaga yung 2–3 years exact experience, sana i-check muna yung resume bago tumawag.

Sayang lang yung oras ng both sides. Job hunting is already exhausting enough.

Please give me advice how to start working for this kind of position i have at least 3 yrs worth of relevant experience. Kahit part time po or remote or freelance. 😭

St. John Bosco Parish Church - Makati City (Archdiocese of Manila) (15 mins away)Church - 3PM Full PackageFull Set Up with Flowershttps://www.sjbmakati.com/weddings	30000
PSA	2000
Kultura - Bride	15000
Kultura - Groom	15000
HMAU Salon: Miquesi BGC Forbestown (estimate)Home Service (Bride only) (Note: Im a regular at this salon but you may ask for their full service - https://www.parlon.ph/parlon/miqesi-boutique-salon/elle-the-signature-salon-bgc )	15000
Reception 80-100pax restaurantSicilian Roast Makati - Authentic Italian Restaurant (Note: We ate here before the food is good and is perfect for private events, they can close down the restaurant and can hold 80-100 pax, buffet style, will arrange seating for you depending if its just a sit down dinner or if there is a program)	158000 (Note: Weekend: Lunch - 126000 Dinner - 158000 Weekday: Lunch - 95000 Dinner - 132000 20% downpayment. Although you can always give them a budget and its alacart style choosing from their menu and they'll buffet style it) (Note: 158000 budget is for 80pax dinner, estimate of 2k per person, but you can give your own budget per person if you wish) Street parking may be a challenge so better is carpool or arrange for service.
Ring Sets - Binhi Diamonds (37k/ring)https://www.facebook.com/p/Binhi-Diamonds-100086242281391/	111000
Photography - carlo acetre photography	30000
Bride Bouquet and Entourage + Restaurant (Dangwa Flowers) https://www.facebook.com/LaliDangwaFlowersBouquet (Note: For restaurants that dont include decor, you can just coordinate with them beforehand to fix the decors)	20000
Vase 80pax RestaurantIkeahttps://www.ikea.com/ph/en/p/viljestark-vase-clear-glass-80338578/	2000
TOTAL	398,000 PHP
If anybody wants a budgeted wedding thats for 80-100pax this is an estimate i can do for 80pax esp for those who wants their wedding around this area esp in Makati. Mostly DYI and no suppliers or coordinators.	Hi i am not a bride or anything like that but i have been curious about this sub and would like to assist for those are looking for something budgeted. Maybe also bec it is something i have in mind. The estimate is maybe a ballpark. But this is for those who dont want to spend so much but still want to have the pax.

https://preview.redd.it/xcexpa5xeygh1.png?width=934&format=png&auto=webp&s=f75e23a61a898dcc9629517d49f223ed3fa36bfd

Has anyone joined The Good Fair as a merchant? Is it normal for confirmations to take this long?

This is my first popup, so I'm not sure what's considered standard.

I decided to apply after seeing a lot of positive recommendations. The location is also perfect for me—it's within walking distance, indoors, and only a 2-day event. They actually reached out to me first via Instagram, which gave me the confidence to join.

I paid the booth fee in full, signed the MOA, and submitted all the required forms and booth mockup. I also sent everything via email and followed up through Instagram DM.

It's only been about 24 hours since I completed everything, so I'm not assuming anything is wrong. I just thought it would be standard practice to at least receive a quick acknowledgment, even something as simple as, "We've received your payment and documents. We'll review everything and confirm your slot shortly."

As a first-time exhibitor, it's difficult to prepare when you don't know whether your slot has been officially secured. I'm not expecting an immediate approval—just confirmation that everything was received. So far, I haven't received any acknowledgment through either email or DM.

Am I just being overly anxious, or is this pretty normal for popup organizers? I feel like acknowledging a paid exhibitor's email or message should be standard practice, even if the actual confirmation takes a bit longer.

I'd love to hear from merchants who've joined The Good Fair or other popup markets. What has your experience been with confirmations after payment? How long did it usually take to hear back?

Just curious if anyone has actually tried this or if the math even makes sense.

I run a small shoe business in the Philippines. I checked with DHL at SM Aura because I wanted to start accepting international orders. Since I ship shoes with their original boxes, the DHL staff said the box size would automatically fall under their 5kg category, and the estimated shipping to Hong Kong example would be around ₱6,000.

They also explained that shipping is based on the package's actual/volumetric weight and the declared value of the items, plus they require commercial documents like an invoice or official receipt for customs.\

For nearby visa-free Asian countries, would it ever make more business sense to collect monthly preorders instead?

Something like:

Collect a minimum of 3–4 confirmed orders only weight of the cabin allowance. Extra 1 day clothes for possible delays or cancellations.

Book a budget airline like Scoot, AirAsia, or Cebu Pacific if the round-trip ticket costs around the same as DHL shipping.

Meet customers in a public place for pickup and size exchanges.

Fly back the same day (last flight out) or stay for just a few hours if the schedule works.

I'm mainly wondering if this make sense. Has anyone here actually done something similar for shoes, clothing, collectibles, or other products?

Was it cheaper in the end, or did the time and travel make it not worth it?

Hi! As a small business owner, sales have been quite slow lately, especially here in Manila, so I'm looking into expanding by offering international shipping.

I'd love to hear from anyone with experience shipping to nearby countries such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, or South Korea.

For a pair of shoes with its box with similar weight, what's the estimated shipping cost to these countries? I plan to have customers shoulder the shipping fee, and I've been receiving overseas inquiries recently.

Which courier have you found to be the most reliable in terms of cost, speed, and package handling? Any hidden or extra charges? Any tips or things I should watch out for would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you! Hoping this helps me explore new markets since business has been a bit slow these past few months.

Hi everyone! I'd really appreciate your thoughts, especially from those who have experience with fashion brands, pop-ups, or retail spaces.

Option 1: Rent a Small Showroom (10 sqm)

I have a small shoe business and found a **10 sqm commercial space** that I'm considering renting.

Some details:

* The owner is around my age, and it used to be her food business.

* Located in Taguig, in a busy neighborhood, with the space underneath a residential house.

* The place is clean inside and out. Fresh paint, overhead lighting, display racks, multiple electrical outlets, tiled flooring, and even a long bar table are already included.

* I can easily move in

* It's only 30 minutes away (1 jeep ride) from me.

* My plan is to use it primarily for private appointments, fittings, pickups, and as a small showroom rather than relying on walk-in traffic.

* The owner offered me a 5-month trial contract, which I appreciate since I can test if the concept works.

The monthly rent is only about one-third of what I'd plan to spend on a single large weekend market.

Option 2: Join a New Weekend Market

There's also a new market happening in August:

Burgos Park, Forbestown – BGC

Participation Fee: ₱16,000 (3 days) Fri-Sun

Inclusions:

* 1.5m × 1.5m booth

* 1 table

* 1 chair

* tent

* lighting

* electrical provision

* social media marketing by the organizers

The biggest advantage is that it's only 5 minutes away from our condo.

About My Business

* I restarted my business last end of March, shoe business

* I currently have around 144 pairs in inventory out of 156 pairs sold.

* My current retail prices are:

₱1,190 for flats

₱1,390 for heels

* My capital is still very limited, so I originally wanted a space within ₱5,000–₱6,000/month, and the showroom is the closest thing I've found.

One thing I've noticed is that although I have a decent number of followers and post consistently, doesn't always convert into sales. I feel like many people simply want to see or try on the shoes in person before buying, even though I already provide sizing recommendations based on foot measurements. Also the followers in most case are a silent audience.

---

1. If you were in my position, which option would you choose?

2. For those who joined markets for the first time especially larger events organized by established event management companies did it work out for your brand? Were the sales enough to justify the booth fees?

3. Would it make more sense to build a small appointment-based showroom first before investing in expensive markets?

4. Since booth fees are expensive, would you recommend increasing my retail prices to:

   * ₱1,390 for flats

   *₱1,590 for heels

   ...particularly for booth or market sales? Or would you keep pricing consistent across all sales channels?

I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences you can share. Thank you so much!

Hi everyone.

Just wanted to remind everyone to please be extra careful when applying for jobs posted by private advertisers.

I recently applied for a Personal Assistant role that honestly sounded like a great opportunity—hybrid setup, varied responsibilities, travel, and room to grow. I was genuinely excited.

Unfortunately, the interview immediately gave me a bad feeling.

There were comments about my age, body, and even my chest. I was also asked personal questions about whether I was single, had children, and my family situation. The role was mainly based in the employer's home office instead of a traditional workplace, with flexible hours and duties that could include driving, errands, and even cooking during trips.

Maybe some of these questions are normal for private PA roles, but the overall vibe made me uncomfortable. I trusted my instincts and politely withdrew my application right after the interview.

This isn't to shame anyone or accuse anyone of anything. I just want to remind fellow job seekers that if something feels off during an interview, don't ignore it just because the salary or opportunity looks good.

Sometimes your first impression is there for a reason. There will always be other opportunities.

Stay safe, and trust your gut.

For privacy, I'm keeping the employer anonymous. If anyone wants more context or the JobStreet posting (Personal Assistant - Makati), feel free to DM me.

Hi everyone,

I'm currently being considered for a Personal Assistant position with a foreign business owner based in Metro Manila who also has businesses in other locations and occasionally travels overseas, where I may be expected to accompany and assist him.

Most of my experience has been in office administration, so this role would be quite different from what I'm used to. It seems to be a combination of business support and more hands-on personal daily assistance, which would be my first time taking on this type of position.

During the interview, I was also asked about my availability, whether I have a partner or children, or live with family and whether I'd be able to travel frequently. Since I'm new to this type of role, I'm curious if these are fairly common questions when hiring a private Personal Assistant, particularly because availability and travel seem to be important parts of the job.

I'd love to hear from both employers who have hired Personal Assistants and those who have worked as one.

• What are the day-to-day responsibilities typically like?
• Is it normal for the role to include both business and personal tasks?
• Are questions about relationship status, children, and availability common during the hiring process?
• What are some red flags or green flags to look out for before accepting this kind of role?

I'm simply trying to understand what is considered standard for a private Personal Assistant position before making my decision.

Thanks in advance!

Hi BusinessPH,

I run a small women's leather shoe brand called Solely Hers PH (we are available on IG and have our own website solelyhers.ph) and I'm planning to start accepting orders from Southeast Asian countries sometime next year.

For those who have experience shipping overseas, how did you choose your courier? Do you mainly use DHL, LBC, J&T, or another provider? What factors made you choose them (cost, reliability, customs handling, delivery speed, etc.)?

I'm also curious about how you handle shipping charges:

• Do you charge a flat shipping rate for all destinations?
• Do you calculate shipping per country and provide a quotation first?
• Do customers make a second payment for the shipping fee after you compute the total?
• How do you handle customs duties and taxes?

We're currently considering J&T since we've had a good experience with them locally and the branch we regularly use has been reliable so far. However, I don't have much experience with international shipping yet, so I'd appreciate hearing how other small business owners approach it, especially those selling physical products within Southeast Asia.

J&T Philippines currently ships to:

Singapore

Malaysia

Indonesia

Thailand

Mainland China

Hong Kong SAR

Any advice, lessons learned, or things you wish you knew before starting international shipping would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! 😊

Hi! I’m the founder of Solely Hers, a new footwear brand focused on making stylish leather shoes more accessible in pricing and through a wider size range. We offer sizes US 4–12, including custom sizing for customers who often struggle to find the right fit.

I’m currently looking for coffee shops in BGC, Taguig, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, and Marikina that may be open to hosting a small Solely Hers display within their space. The goal is to introduce your customers to a local footwear brand while they enjoy their coffee and experience at your café.

What I can bring to your café:

• Promotion of your café across Solely Hers' social media and customer communications.
• Collaborative content whenever I visit your store.
• Exposure to a growing community of customers looking for affordable genuine leather footwear and inclusive sizing options.
• Opportunities to encourage repeat visits through cross-promotion and community engagement.

Solely Hers aims to build a community for people who often find it difficult to shop for shoes due to having smaller or larger feet, while offering comfortable and affordable leather footwear.

If this sounds like something that could complement your space, I’d love the opportunity to discuss how we might work together.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,
Founder, Solely Hers