Supply and demand. Or how I learned to talk the language of snotty suppliers and flaky printers.

The hardest part in starting a business is that it requires inhuman patience. My lack of experience as an entrepreneur didn't prepare me for the waiting game that I had to go through from Day One.

Being in charge of the family household since I was nine years old, I was used to being efficient and getting things done immediately. Anything less would not have been acceptable for my mother, who was -- and in many ways, still is-- the highest authority I recognized.

This "if-not-now-when?" attitude carried over to my schooldays and, eventually, my freelance work. And it seemed to me that this was the only way to go if I wanted to get things done.

Starting a a small business on my own was a totally different kettle of fish.

Here are some hard-earned lessons for going it alone:


1.) Money talks.

Starting my own small business, I felt proud of myself. I was willing to put in the long hours and the painful attention to detail, and I was confident that I could make it work.

The problem is, a business doesn't depend on one person alone, no matter how determined.

I needed suppliers. Looking for all the right organic ingredients for my products took months -- and I was calling up companies and international suppliers three to five days a week. Their answer was the same: my business was too small and it wasn't worth their time to accommodate small volume orders. They ran a business, too, after all.

I was lucky to receive a response at all, once I mentioned how much orders I could put in.

Even local packaging companies that claimed to specialize in small businesses wouldn't process my orders for the containers I preferred because I couldn't afford their minimum volume of at least 10,000 pieces.

The capital I had was raised over the holidays through the kindness of my mother and her friend. They were prototypes of my product line with very simple packaging and labels. And the money from those orders became my lifeline for the first few months.

But although it felt great to earn my own capital for business and not get a handout, I learned quickly that money means everything when starting a business. A great product, unique concept and an unbeatable work ethic aren't enough.

You can't push for the things that you want in the time that you need without enough cash to show for it.


2.) The Golden Rule doesn't always apply in business.

No matter what they say, the business world is not a place of integrity. Most businessmen and businesswomen I met just want money, no matter what the cost. Period. Which is not a bad thing. They have their reasons and their own interesting life stories. Just never expect them to treat you as decently as you would treat them.

Of course, I am not advocating ruthlessness in business. Personally, being an idealist from a non-entrepreneurial background, I can never be as underhanded as many of the people I have met as I was starting my business. (My family and support group will make sure of that.)

But I did learn not to let my guard down with new acquaintances. I learned to be sharp in looking at a person's character. Most of all, I learned not to expect too much from a business contact, no matter how impressive they seem to be.

It took me a lot of heartache and tears before I finally accepted this fact of life. I would not be able to control their actions, but I was able to change and improve the way I dealt with them.


3.) Filipinos (suppliers and printers) will always be late.

Here is another fact of business life that I have come to anticipate.

Sure, it's an embarrassing stereotype against Filipinos. I don't like it myself, since I am mostly a punctual person. But it is undeniable.

Dealing with my suppliers, I have experienced on-time delivery on only TWO occasions. This is a big improvement over my printer, who has never delivered on the days she said she would deliver. And they would conveniently tell you about the delays on the expected delivery date itself.

The most infuriating part is that no matter how much you strongarm them or ask them to sign binding contracts, they are rude and they. just. don't. care.

Who knows why. Maybe there is far too much demand for them and they can afford to sit pretty (although they never seem to be well-off). Maybe they were forced into this business by their family and feel bitter about it.

But right now, sadly, I can't afford to go to other suppliers because I have found them to have the most affordable, and most importantly, the best quality of organic ingredients. And for the life of me, I can't find a local printer who can produce transparent, waterproof stickers (although I am in the process of sourcing out the materials myself so I can move to a more reliable printer -- if there is such a thing).

When I realized there was little I could do to change their attitude, I decided to focus on what I can do to turn this situation to my advantage. I simply adjusted my schedule of orders so that I can give at least one to two weeks leeway for any delays that may happen. That way, I'm not at the mercy of their fickle schedule.

In spite of the headaches I can say that I came out of this a better person. For one thing, I am more patient. I am also more generous to other people, giving them the benefit of the doubt once.

My whole life, I was always afraid of being duped. But going into business taught me not to sweat the small stuff. So what if that person didn't give me the quality of service he had promised? At least I know now, and I can move along to find better, more reliable people. And watching and learning like this taught me about the things to watch out for and the things that truly matter.