While backing up our computer files, I came across to my old files from my old laptop. I smiled after seeing the simple tracker I made when I tried selling home-made sandwiches in the office when I’m working as a call center agent before.
You know how much I made? Boy, I made more than P7,000! Here’s how.
From 2010 – 2013, I worked as a call center agent in one of the largest foreign call center company operating in the Philippines. That was my first call center and BPO experience.
It was hard. Lots of adjustments. Especially sleeping pattern and stress handling. But over the time, I get used to it. And I enjoy the flow. It became fun especially when you work with good people.
When you’re working at the “call center operations” as an agent, your stats are your performance. Including breaks, login/logout time and many other metrics. Adherence on those metrics are really needed to keep you on the top. That’s how it works.
Another thing you can notice in the call center operations floor are these “rakets” and “sidelines” to make extra-income. Some are selling prepaid loads, perfumes, t-shirts, shoes and other apparels. You can also see some “mini-stores” that sell candies, cigarettes, food and other delicacies. Some are selling home-made sandwiches which I did in our office.
I started the “gig” when one of the guy selling home-made sandwiches in the office resigned. I noticed that my co-employees still looking for something to eat inside the floor. I saw the opportunity. And then I took action!
So I started making home-made sandwiches before going to work and then sell them in the office. At first, I made around 10 – 15 sandwiches and then sell them for P25 or P20 each. It was just as simple as a tasty bread with ham and cheese or ham and egg. 🙂
My office friends were my first customers. And by word of mouth, it became “hit” on the floor. Almost everyone is buying. Lol! I was able to sell 20 – 30 sandwiches after.
I sell every other day. And by doing that for several months, I made money! That helped me pay bills and buy things I need without getting it from my salary.
That maybe small. But it’s big deal for me. And most importantly, I learned how to sell and experienced becoming an entrepreneur in some little ways.
I tracked everything through my simple “sandwich business tracker” and as you can see, I made more than P7,000 net. Wohoooo! Every details were tracked and organized, that’s how OC I was. Haha.
All in all, in a span of 4 months, I sold 905 home-made sandwiches. I spent more than P10,000 in capital and earned more than P7,000 in profit.
It was also the time when I discovered my passion in personal finance. I learned that you need to learn how to sell if you want to become entrepreneur.
And that’s true. Even in some little ways. This will train and “ignite” your entrepreneur mindset. And by selling home-made sandwiches, I was somehow able to overcome my fear of selling and trained my mind how it works.
My selling home-made sandwiches gig worked for several months. But sad to say, we’re advised that it was no longer allowed and I had to stopped it. My “little home-made sandwich business” closed.
That’s one of my “little entrepreneur journey” back then. It was fun. And more importantly, I learned a lot.
What’s in it for you?
I’m not convincing you sell sandwiches in your office but if you can, why not? I’m just sharing this to provide inspiration.
Opportunity is not limited in sandwiches and in offices but in many other things. You just have to look around. Start small and then take action.
I also tried selling powerbanks thru facebook and made extra money too. It’s fun. And again, you can learn a lot of things.
Here’s some takeaways from this article:
- Spot an opportunity and then take action
- You need to learn how to sell if you want to become entrepreneur
- Don’t think what other people will say, just do it!
- Selling is fun and even in little ways, you can learn a lot of things
- Track and take note everything
- Ham and egg sandwich is better than ham and cheese! Haha
It’s true that it is not easy to do the unusual things you’re not doing before. The things you’re not comfortable. The things other people not willing to do.
But keep this in mind, these things are the things that will make and help you grow. That’s where the opportunity lies. That’s how you learn. That’s how life works!
I hope this article has been inspiring. Thank you for your time. Cheers!
Hi Billy, this article of yours is very inspiring, Thank you very much. I personally like what you said that if you want to to go into sales or entrepreneurship, Don’t think what other people will say, just do it. Because sometimes that is the one roadblock ( Hiya Factor) that is stopping us from trying it. We will never know if we wouldn’t go ahead and do it and say… Kaya ko pala!
Thank you Rolette. God bless!
Hello Rolette, hindi ko na pala nareplayan tong comment mo. I’m sorry. I will look for it and send it on email. Thanks!
hi po..can i ask for the formula you used in excel?? If you just want to share it would be a big help for me to track also my business.. if you just don’t mind.. 🙂 thank you po!!