PHILIPPINE SME and Franchise Expo 2011: Are You ready?

I have been always "business" minded ever since my elementary days. I studied in a private school in Q.C wherein all of my classmates clan are all from the upper class. But this never became hindrance for me to continue my selling antics to them. With the encouragement I got from my mom, I got to sell headbands, trinkets to yemas to my rich classmates.Yes, imagine a shameless elementary grade school kid that I was. All that ever stuck in my mind that time is that I enjoy earning money on my own (though it was just a small amount). Being an early entrepreneur made me become wiser even now that I was a mom now.

Now that I have my own family of course the dream to have my own business is still there. But since there are now more growing businesses, that would be a task as well. So I guess to eliminate that one step towards to our success in the business field, everyone most especially to those people who are really just starting out or must have started out their businesses and want to broaden their horizons and expand their network , this next big event is just for you.

From Oct.27-29, 2011 at the PICC Forum of PICC , Roxas Blvd, Manila , the event will be dubbed as PHILIPPINED SME and FRANCHISE EXPO 2011.

At the event a large number of franchise exhibitors will be there for us to see what are their businesses. And  maybe if you are luckier , you may take part and hear the talks that guest speakers has to say about the success of Franchising Small and Medium Enterprises. And most exciting part of the event is that Mr. Armando "Butz" Bartolome, who also headed the Franchise Institute of the Philippines (FIP) and also known as the "Franchise Guru" behind well-known SME businesses like Mang Inasal, Lay Bare Waxing Salon,Fiorgelato, Potato Corner, Chicharific!!!, Freska Ilonggo Seafood &Inasal, Julie's Bakeshop, Baliwag Lechon Manok, and etc.

These 3-day event will become a learning venue for all those people who aspire to have their own business or franchise one. And there's more , on the the event itself there will be great deal of free services , workshops and free seminars from the "Franchise Guru" himself. This event also promises to increase the exposure of SME products in domestic and foreign markets.

But here in my blog you'll get more as a plus! Me and a handful of bloggers were able to meet the Franchise Guru himself . Read more below....

Armando "Butz" O. Bartolome

Sir Butz as he fondly called and the Franchise Guru himself was an "OFW" ( Oversease Filipino Worker) before he got the Franchising scene up in the Philippines. In the early 80's he was already a Regional Operations Manager for an international franchise system , which is Shakey's Pizza. His role here was to negotiate with franchisees and provide operational support and assistance. So along with his travels abroad he was the one who saw the early potential of Franchising scene in the Philippines. So with his abundant knowledge and expertise in Franchising, Sir Butz decide to  establish GMB Franchise Developers in 1993 with a vision of enabling local companies grow and expand through franchising. Now together with his wonderful wife Mrs. Lynda Bartolome, they decided to uplift the Franchising scene here in the Philippines.

He is the person to talked to when it comes to your franchise queries and concerns thus he is "FRANCHISE GURU" by their clients.

(Disclaimer: some of the infos posted here about Mr. Butz Bartolome, can also be found in a book which he is also the author, "Is Franchising For You?" Concise and Detailed Guidebook on investing in a Franchise.)

 Some of the members of SME Franchise owners with the Franchise Guru himself, third

from the left.

We had a mini -bloggers night with Mr. Butz Bartolome and some members of the SME business owners, right there we were given and insight on what's gonna happen on Oct27-29, 2011 at PICC Forum, PICC Complex Manila.

I'll be attending the 3-day event and maybe even see for myself if franchising is really for me in the near future.

For more infos regarding the event , do visit their website at www.sme.com.ph