“Age doesn’t matter in establishing your own business. Use your time wisely because time is moving very fast and time is precious because you’re 13 right now and maybe in a blink of an eye, you’re 20. You’re an adult na.”
Age is indeed not a hindrance to establish one’s dream business! This teenager from Baguio City proves that with passion and determination, anything is possible!
13-year-old Given Mendoza did not think that her fan-girling would be the way to make her dream business a reality.
“It inspired me to sell because I’m a fan of BTS po. So I started being an ARMY just last year. So, after siguro two months po, I decided to buy three albums. Two for my personal collection and one to sell po. To see if I can earn a profit,” Given told The Philippine STAR.
“I sold it po in less than a week. And then, I saw the potential there that I can sell albums po. So ‘yun po, buy and selling lang po. As a fan, I was sad a little bit kasi, a I have to let go them. ‘Yung ine-earn ko pong profit plus ‘yung investment ko po, I decided to buy more albums po. Ayun po, nabenta po. Paulit-ulit lang po ‘yung cycle niya,” she added.
According to Mommy Juvy, Given started talking about establishing a K-pop-inspired café in the middle of the pandemic.
“Sabi niya, “Ma, I think I wanna use my money now to invest it.” Okay if you think it will go well, go ahead. We will be there for you,” Mommy Juvy shared.
But apparently, it was not the first business of Given. “She did ukay-ukay, she did graphic design online, she’s getting paid $5 like that for a design, and now, this.”
On August 2022, Given opened G’s Kpop Kilig located at a mall in Baguio City. She is now earning five digits from her café with K-pop merch.
Given’s parents said that they did not have any doubt or reservations on Given’s capability to handle a business.
“Nakita ko ‘yung perseverance and consistency niya. Very consistent siya like. I think kasi whatever she touches, whatever she plans, it will go well kasi with all her heart ginagawa niya eh. Hindi siya forced. Like on her own. No doubt talaga,” Mommy Juvy said.
“She [doesn’t] care if she will earn five pesos, ten pesos. Basta as long as she’s earning and learning, and that’s what’s important naman. Learning,” she added.
Looking back, Mommy Juvy and Daddy Diego said that Given’s childhood speaks well enough on how she handles her finances.
“We are training her from the beginning. Even when she’s getting allowance, even from very early on, 50% always went in the bank. And at first, she’s like, “Ugh. I have to put 50% in the bank?” And then she’s like, “Yeah, I’ll put 50% in the bank. I’ll save it for my future,” Daddy Diego recalled.
“I think I’m always ahead of the future po. Kasi po, I’m also training po na ‘yun po, saving money. Kasi in the future you don’t know what will happen po. Let’s say kuripot po akong kaunti. There’s something I want to buy but I don’t want to at the same time gano’n po. But I’m always asking myself, “Is this a want or a need?” ‘Yun po ‘yung mindset ko po,” Given noted.
Mommy Juvy and Daddy Diego hope that their story will encourage parents to support the business ideas of their children.
“Don’t doubt what your child can do. Believe in what your child can do. And not just believe but support them, push them harder like kung ano man passion nila. Help your kids to understand what the risk is. Push them if you see that they’re passionate about it. Keep encouraging them and let them go,” the proud parents echoed.
