Rowena Bitrol of WengPot

NAME OF MOMPRENEUR: ROWENA “Rowie” BERTOL


HER BUSINESS IDEA:
Rowie sells imported baby shoe socks which are unique as they have anti-skid soles to help keep babies from slipping while they learn how to walk. Rowie also sells brand new clothes, both imported and locally made, at affordable factory prices.  


HOW IT STARTED:
As a young child, Rowie sold pouches created by her mother to her classmates and enjoyed making small profits from this simple business.  Many years later, she started selling online upon discovering online auction sites through her brother. She discovered how convenient it was to buy items with just a click of a button. Realizing that there was an enormous potential to make money online, Rowie started her online business immediately, selling imported clothes and shoes.  It was the right time because she was pregnant and looking how she could help augment her husband’s income.  

Rowie first sold clothes from her own closet through eBay, then eventually branched out to selling new imported and locally made clothes and shoes. She found her niche selling children’s shoes.  On her third month, she already was earning substantial profits.  Encouraged by this success, she added more products and created another online shop on Multiply selling items at factory prices, including her anti-skid shoes. It clicked because most of her products sell at the price range of P50 to P500.

“It was a learning experience,” Rowie says. “At the start, I didn’t even know how courier services worked!” she laughs as she recalls her early online selling days. But she says that despite some initial obstacles, selling online is the best tool she found. “There is no rent to pay, minimizing overhead cost.  It’s up to you how you want to spend your time managing your store.” Rowie would check on her stores in between housework and post photos of her new products at night.  

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WHY BEING A MOM IS THE GREATEST:
“Being a mom is extremely fulfilling!” Rowie enthusiastically exclaims. Motherhood also taught her to become a more patient person. She says that raising a child is hard work, it’s so easy to lose your temper and feel frustrated at times. But she has learned to take deep breaths and embrace the challenges that being a mother brings. “No one is perfect,” she says.  “But as long as you make sure you love your children and give them what they need, they will turn out fine.”


ON BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY TIME:
Rowie claims to be blessed with the opportunity to spend a lot of time with her little girl since she works at home managing her online businesses.  She says that every single moment with her daughter is time well spent.  “I don’t have a yaya so I do everything: take care of my daughter, do household chores and manage my business.  My husband works overseas so I need to be able to manage my time well and wear different hats, take on different roles at home.”  She says that working mothers should always prioritize their families.  “No matter how busy I am, I make sure that my priority is to spend time with my daughter.  Yes, the house will sometimes be messy and untidy but I’ve learned how to let go of the guilt and stop being a perfectionist.”


ADVICE TO ASPIRING MOMPRENEURS:
Be resourceful.  Find suppliers who can offer you affordable products with good quality.  
Use profits wisely.  Rowie purchased a mannequin and camera with her earnings to use in her business.  
Find time to do what you love to do.  You will be happier and function better as a mom.  


CONTACT INFO:
Websites: shop.ebay.ph/wengpot; TindahanniAina
E-mail: wengbertol@yahoo.com
Landline: 748-3443
Mobile: 0915-327-4322