Entrepreneur – one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise (Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2018)

The day was cold and windy as I arrived at a closed parking lot.  On one corner, a large tent occupied a sizable section and equipments for a sound system filled the space.  Rows of chairs lined the front of the tent and had started to fill with spectators.  A festive atmosphere prevailed.  The wind had a chilly bite but the spirit of the event remained warm and glowing as attendees started to gather.

Supreme Kitchen Essentials, Inc. was hosting a meet-and-greet event to showcase its products to potential buyers and investors.  My wife and I were invited as we were investors and we had interest as consultants of the products.  The same holds true to a lot of other attendees of the event.  Invited also to the event were entrepreneurs of other products with the same intention of promoting their business.

I have always known my circle of friends and acquaintances to belong to service-oriented careers, workers and employees of big corporations and business, and providing their expertise as highly-skilled workers.  Through the years, most have flourished and risen up the ranks to become leaders in their field of expertise.  A few, however, have decided to become entrepreneurs as a way of branching out or diversifying their source of livelihood.

Never depend on single income. Make investment to create a second source

Warren Buffet

There is always food, song, and laughter when my circle of friends gather.  I had written about this when my close circle of friends gathered one summer day.  It was not different with this kind of gathering.  Inside the building, the hosts were busy preparing and serving food to the attendees.  Outside, a steady stream of music and dance presentations kept everybody entertained.  It was reminiscence of a fiesta atmosphere that is so commonly experienced back in the Philippines.

Tables were lined outside on the sidewalk and each entrepreneur displayed products for viewing.  I know most of them by name or by face and I know most of them hold regular day jobs.  I admire all of them for their effort to come up with another source of income to augment what they already earn.  Life in America is good for as long as you work hard for it and it always helps to have another source of income!

The music scene at the parking lot was just as impressive.  Steel Skin, a Filipino band from Killeen, Texas has been belting out song after song since the start of the event.  Popular Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and Rhythm and Ballad (R&B) flowed smoothly with each rendition.

Tunog Garahe, another Filipino band, played more music at the latter part of the afternoon.  I have seen and heard this band before and I am more impressed by them now.  The set-up was informal but their music was pleasant.

Grace Hula Dance Company gathered a lot of attention with its presentation of dance from the islands of Hawaii and Tahiti.  The dancers were graceful and attractive.

There was general agreement at the end of the day that the event was a success.  It was evident by the smiles on the faces and the animated conversation.  Presentations were done, discussions and inquiries made, and some deals were even concluded!  The event ended but the camaraderie continued.