Expanding the Net

Leo's first day was a resounding success, but he knew consistency was key. The next morning, he was back at the beach, this time with a clearer plan. He negotiated with Mang Tomas and other fishermen, securing a slightly larger volume of fish. He also inquired about crabs and shrimps, learning that these were usually caught in the nearby mangroves and river mouths.

He decided to diversify his offerings. He bought 8 kilos of 'hasa-hasa' (1,200 PHP), 6 kilos of 'tulingan' (1,080 PHP), 3 kilos of mud crabs (450 PHP, 150 PHP/kilo), and 2 kilos of shrimps (500 PHP, 250 PHP/kilo).

Expenses (Morning):

Purchase of 'hasa-hasa' (8 kg x 150 PHP): 1,200 PHP Purchase of 'tulingan' (6 kg x 180 PHP): 1,080 PHP Purchase of mud crabs (3 kg x 150 PHP): 450 PHP Purchase of shrimps (2 kg x 250 PHP): 500 PHP Food and water: 70 PHP Ice and larger bamboo baskets: 150 PHP

Total Expenses (Morning): 3,450 PHP

He rented a larger 'habal-habal' with a sidecar, allowing him to carry more products. The rental cost was 300 PHP. He also invested in some simple packaging: banana leaves and twine, costing 50 PHP.

Expenses (Transportation and Packaging):

Habal-habal rental (with sidecar): 300 PHP Packaging materials: 50 PHP

Total Expenses (Cumulative): 3,800 PHP

He decided to expand his customer base by visiting two barangays, San Isidro and Barangay San Vicente. He set up his stalls, arranging the fish, crabs, and shrimps attractively. He offered small samples of cooked shrimps to attract customers.

He also started implementing basic customer service practices. He greeted everyone with a smile, answered questions patiently, and offered to clean and prepare the fish for a small fee (20 PHP per kilo). Word-of-mouth marketing proved effective. Satisfied customers from the previous day brought their friends and neighbors.

Income:

Sale of 'hasa-hasa' (8 kg x 250 PHP): 2,000 PHP Sale of 'tulingan' (6 kg x 300 PHP): 1,800 PHP Sale of mud crabs (3 kg x 200 PHP): 600 PHP Sale of shrimps (2 kg x 350 PHP): 700 PHP Fish preparation fees (5 kilos x 20 PHP): 100 PHP

Total Income: 5,200 PHP

Calculations (Day 2):

Total Income: 5,200 PHP Total Expenses: 3,800 PHP Daily Profit: 5,200 PHP - 3,800 PHP = 1,400 PHP

Updated Capital (After Day 2):

Previous Capital: 6,250 PHP Daily Profit: 1,400 PHP Remaining Capital: 6,250 PHP + 1,400 PHP = 7,650 PHP

Leo started a basic Excel file on his phone. He recorded his daily expenses (purchase of goods, transportation, packaging, food), income (sales of different seafood products, preparation fees), and profit. He also noted down customer feedback and popular items.

Weekly Progress:

Leo continued this routine for the rest of the week, gradually increasing his stock and customer base. He also created a simple handwritten sign with his name and contact number, investing 30 PHP in a sturdy piece of cardboard and a marker. He also started to pre-order crabs and shrimps from specific fisherman, guaranteeing a steady supply and quality.

Weekly Summary:

Total Income (Week): 36,400 PHP Total Expenses (Week): 24,800 PHP Total Profit (Week): 11,600 PHP Updated Capital (End of Week): 16,650 PHP

Leo's business was growing. He was no longer just selling fish; he was building a reputation for fresh, quality seafood and excellent customer service. He was reinvesting his profits wisely, expanding his product range, and improving his operations. He understood the importance of scaling, customer satisfaction, and detailed financial management. He was building his future, one successful sale at a time.