Key Points
- The lack of festive Christmas decors in Australia compelled Verdadero to research about how she can bring in parols from the Philippines.
- Despite high costs of shipping by air (due to the product being fragile), Verdadero was surprised that there was a demand for parols.
- Careful packaging is involved – aside from wrapping the lantern in bubble wrap, it is also placed in its individual box.
'May PERAan' is SBS Filipino's podcast series which features practical, creative and effective ways to earn money.
Scouring through decors in Australia from Christmas trees, ornaments and Aussie animal sets, Yana Verdadero knew that nothing could take the place of the iconic Capiz -shell lanterns that represent Filipino Christmas.
“It started in October 2022 when I felt the need to find parols in the country and couldn’t find anything online. Out of desperation, I started to research and made calls to shipping companies regarding costs and inquire about how to safely transport the product from the Philippines to Australia,” Verdadero says.
After a month, Verdadero found a reputable supplier from the province of Pampanga, in the Philippines, who helped her fulfil the documentary requirements asked for by customs.
Documentary requirements asked for by customs
· BFAR certificate - the supplier helped out Verdadero in making sure that it was highly visible when the product is transported by air.
· Business certificate of the agent who handles shipping in the Philippines.
· Insurance which is included in the shipping costs.
· Invoice
· In the event that customs will have questions, they can open the package and do a swab test before the product is released. So far, there had been no setback in customs since she started selling parols, according to Verdadero.
Side hustle funding started at $500
Using $500 from her savings, she started ordering about three parols to test the market.
She posted on various online community forums to sell the Capiz -shell parols with pure LED lights which came with eight modes of light sequence.
“I was worried that maybe kababayans would find the price points too steep because entry level starts at $190 per parol.
"I was surprised that I started getting orders. I think they understood that it takes a lot to bring in a product that’s delicate and breakable which would justify the costs."
Soon enough, she decided to make her side hustle legitimate by setting up an ABN (Australian Business Name).
She shares, “I was getting substantial orders from regional areas and I wanted to do it the legal way. Also, it was my way to build my integrity with our kababayans and Australians who would like to buy the product.”
Proper product packaging is a must
· Lanterns are bubble wrapped
· Product is put in a big and durable box
As part of the risks in dealing with a seasonal side gig, Verdadero knows that she’s dealing with a product that is delicate and breakable. To protect the lanterns from damage during shipping, the inner packaging is bubble wrapped before it is placed inside a big sturdy box. This way, the customers can also store the parols after the Christmas season.
For now, her parols called “Wonder lantern” are being sold in Victoria and Queensland.
Part of Verdadero’s future aspiration is to make the parols a staple in Australian Christmas decors so that everyone can share the joy of a uniquely Filipino Christmas.
