HELMET HOUSE – a pandemic business venture

By: Fredolin P. Aguinaldo

One year into the pandemic, the Philippines leasing market seem to have pickup significantly. It is noticeable with Small and Medium-size Enterprise (SMEs), as business owners are now scouting for bigger showrooms for their expansion programs - taking advantage of economical deals in the same vicinity of their company's operation and preferably, their homes..

Credit to the photo owner

With all the talks about working at home nowadays, you might think that internet speed or the home office space tops the priority list of people. However, some entrepreneurs are also on the lookout for a suitable areas for their physical stores. 

Photo shoot by Lady of Helmet House

It is unfortunate that the frequent advisories of lockdowns in the Metro and near-by provinces, non-essential goods and service providers will have to wait longer to bounce back. Nevertheless, some young entrepreneur have been capitalizing on the pandemic, take their chances and start their own businesses.

 

Photo-shoot by Lady of Helmet House

Jaypee, a young engineer and motorcycle enthusiasts who envisioned having his own business related to his passion. He is a perfect example of someone who started his businesses, Helmet House during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Photo-shoot by Lady of Helmet House

His great insight to service the needs of the elite motocross aficionados and various courier providers that sprouted during the pandemic are now part of his ever-growing clients.

Photo-shoot by Lady of Helmet House

 

Photo-shoot by Lady of Helmet House

After a period of inactivity, we decided to rent out Ela-G commercial space and waited for interested individuals with bated breath. As luck would have it, a few days after announcing our space was vacant, several offers begun pouring in. After careful assessment of these various possible tenants, we decided to collaborate with HelmetHouse StaRosa.

 

Soft-opening banner of H E L M E T  H O U S E

 

Ela-G commercial: Restoration of a Ramshackle Space.

By: Fredolin P. Aguinaldo

60 sqm frontage along the highway

You could see that the roll-up door and doorway grills are now rusty, the ceiling was crumbling and wires are dangling like spaghetti. The washbasin and toilet floor tiles are filthy and you do not dare to sit on the toilet bowl because it is dirty. The place is never been wired for electricity and the water service provider cut the water line for sometimes now but one couple could see that the old commercial stall has a potential.

Old perspective

My wife, Evelyn and I laid eyes on the Grand Riverstone Commercial Village along The National Highway  (Manila South Road / AH26) at Barangay Dita, City of Sta. Rosa Laguna when a family friend and real estate clients, Mr. & Mrs. Art and Mayeth Salonga, came to visit us and they mentioned a commercial space that is available for sale. Without much hesitations and since it is very near, they visited the area. 

Stairway to the office area

With a commercial space downstairs, office space upstairs' and space for expansions, it seems that it is a cozy place for our son Fredolin II to start his own business ventures. Eventually.

Form part of the office area

So we bought the property in September 2019, I will admit, it was not an easy decision simply because I will be retiring from my work abroad soon. For many nights, I asked my wife if we are doing the right thing for our son. Living on his very own space in the Metro, not to mention his fully commissioned computer setup at bay, and staying near-by might be a hurdle.

The next morning upon returning from my work abroad, the moment of doubt has passed when I started to sketch the floor plan and then asked my son to do the perspective views,  in the end, the place began to shape perfectly as we planned. 

New perspective by Fredolin II

3-D model by Fredolin II

After securing permits from the developer and temporarily restored all utility services, we then pre-select and hire a construction contractor. The restoration exercise on Ela-G business space has begun and lasted for 2-months.

The proud unit owner and up-coming entrepreneur.

Click image Below for the newly re-furbished Ela-G commercial

 at the Grand Riverstone Village Dita, Sta. Rosa, Laguna (Part 2)