Two heads are always better than one.
And starting a business from scratch and seeing it succeed does not happen overnight.
Business success may take longer than expected. And it would always help if you work with an equally reliable partner in achieving your business goals.
These were the lessons learned by Mr. and Mrs. Emiliano and Leah Torrenueva, owners of Kaluha Twin Trading and Services Corporation, a successful enterprise in Cebu.
Leah Torrenueva and Emiliano Torrenueva, operators of Kaluha Twin Trading and Services Corporation. | Mark Kavin Salomon
The Torrenueva couple is now ripping the fruits of their years of labor.
Looking back, the couple admitted that it was never an easy ride for them.
When they started, they also had their share of adversities just like most startups.
Mrs. Torrenueva said that their business started as a marketing and advertising partner of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. But the partnership was just temporary.
They needed a sustainable business venture in order to also take care of their workers, who rely on them for their livelihood.
After partnering with Coco-Cola, they ventured into the scrap business. And while it was thriving at first, the business did not last long.
But giving up is not an option for this persevering couple.
One day, they decide to make use of the trucks which they acquired from their earlier ventures.
“We have trucks available, so we tried [the] hauling and transportation business. Our hauling services grew to the point, we decided not to add more trucks because the business is good but the turnover of the money is sluggish,” Mrs. Torrenueva confessed.
“We depended so much on the company that we serve. We were happy when they pay us, but most of the time, we have to wait for the funding approval. This made us think and pray for a more stable business that can sustain our workers and their growing needs,” Mrs. Torrenueva added.
They later on decided to operate taxi units as these can generate enough cash to pay for their workers salaries every Saturdays.
Mrs. Torrenueva was proud to share that they never missed a payday since their business started.
Isuzu Cebu Inc. officials and Kaluha Twin Trading and Services Corporation operator during the ceremonial turnover of key. | Dominic Ylagan
Because the taxi franchise became free through the efforts of retired Army Col. Eduardo Montealto Jr., regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB-7), the company’s business expanded.
“Thank God we were awarded free franchise of white, black, and premium taxis. After that, the modernized PUJs,” Mrs. Torrenueva said in an interview during Isuzu Cebu Inc’s launching ceremony of modernized jeepneys held recently.
According to Mrs. Torrenueva, they could not express how grateful they are to God that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, they managed to continue with their operations.
For them, managing a business is not always rainbows and butterflies. Challenges will always be a part of the journey.
“To those who are just starting their own business, they have to be vigilant. They need to keep an eye on every aspect affecting the business. And they need to reserve something for contingency so that their business remains stable no matter what happens, bad or good,” she said.
Isuzu Cebu Inc. Team (in red) and Kaluha Twin Trading and Leah Torrenueva and Emiliano Torrenueva, operators of Kaluha Twin Trading and Services Corporation (center) with the 10 modern jeepneys behind. | Dominic Ylagan
On June 19, Kaluha Twin Trading and Services Corporation formally received 10 units of Isuzu modern jeepneys to introduce these sustainable modes of transportation in the Province of Cebu.
Read more: Isuzu Cebu Inc. launches 10 Modern Jeepneys
The 10 modern jeepneys will ply the route from SM City, Cebu to Liloan town in the north via Cansaga and vise versa. It offers free rides until June 30.