How to Navigate the Early Stages of a Business

Starting a business can be daunting as it opens a road filled with obstacles before one can reach its rewarding end. The early years often bring the most trials, especially in the beginning when visions, and passions – not to mention funding – need to align.

One brand that went through it all and made a name for itself in the digital media industry is Orange Magazine, a Philippine-based online magazine launched in 2010 by Jessie Bunyi Villanueva, fondly known as Jeman, is an avid magazine collector who previously worked as a tabloid correspondent and as an events, media, and promotions coordinator for an international print magazine. He also worked for television and radio institutions, expanding his repertoire.

“I fell in love with the concept. I loved the idea of doing photoshoots, interviewing people, and conceptualizing the whole magazine,” he said.

Blogging was still a foreign concept then, with some people exploring its potential before committing to it fully. “The idea of having an online magazine is something I thought was groundbreaking in the online industry since everyone was doing either print or online journal (blogging),” he said.

After he defined his vision and branding for the online magazine, Jeman set out to fulfill it. His next step involved collaborating with a partner to fund the magazine, as it takes time before the industry can take wind of its credibility.

Prior to Orange Magazine, Jeman began to build Galaxy Magazine because he used to have a partner who works for a contact lens brand named Galaxy. Armed with the idea of pioneering a new form of media, Jeman welcomed a partnership where his associate handled the finances. Unfortunately, they had different visions about the magazine and eventually parted ways.

Jeman had to start from scratch once again but worked twice as hard to create a brand that’s “always fresh, always relevant, and true.” Borne out of this vision was Orange Magazine TV.

The magazine is named so because Jeman relates orange to the color of dawn, which means a new day or a fresh start, which is reflective of the online magazine’s goal of featuring fresh elements such as the hottest in fashion, the newest trends, and the coolest personalities and celebrities in the industry.

Two years later, Orange Magazine became recognized as a genuine online magazine with quality content that engages readers from all walks of life. And because of the magazine’s success, Jeman needed to find a way to make it a sustainable business.

Funding is a crucial part of a business, whether used for its beginning or sustainability. It goes without saying that financial independence can benefit entrepreneurs as it gives them more space to enact their ideas. However, there are instances when finding a partner is necessary.

Sun Life makes the search easier, as the brand’s advisors and well-curated products and services give clients a choice on how they want to receive and use the funding. With its various offerings, Sun Life can help aspiring entrepreneurs achieve their dream of becoming a business owner. One ideal product is the Sun Smarter Elite, a savings and protection plan that offers guaranteed cash benefits every other year.

When running or starting a business, it’s crucial to adapt and overcome whatever life throws because every challenge is an opportunity to develop one’s entrepreneurial and problem-solving abilities.

For Jeman, he learned that starting a business was no easy task, but it was definitely rewarding. “If I could give advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, it would be to consider the funding or the capital first, as it’s crucial to springboard a business and maintain its operations throughout the years,” Jeman said.

If you’re looking for the right partner or a way to jumpstart a business, Sun Life may just be the right one for you. Visit www.sunlife.co/guaranteed-partner-for-life for more information on how Sun Life can help you make your business owner dreams come true. You can also talk to a Sun Life advisor via www.sunlife.com/TalkToAnAdvisor.