PROFILE NO.2: RABIN S. REDULLA

Life for Rabin S. Redulla is pretty much Family,Church and Work all with fronting capital letters. His goal is to retire early and serve the Lord better.

After completing a successful full time mission in the Philippines Manila circa 1996-1998 under President D. Rex Gerratt, he returned home and married his girlfriend- Janis on April 15, 2003 at the Manila Temple.

Coming from a prestigious school and working his way through a scholarship, Rabin entered the corporate world doing several jobs for Fast Distribution Corporation, a large logistics company that distributes Nestle products. As the Executive Assistant to the company’s CEO and Vice Presidents, Rabin was able to observe from the top on how the business was run and notwithstanding his strong tendencies for salaried employment, the seeds of entrepreneurship nourished within.

After his career with Fast Distribution, Rabin entered the Business Process Outsource Industry (BPO), this time he was in charge of helping the company (a new industry player) set up camp in Cebu and running it’s operations. “The experience enhanced my Interpersonal, Organizational and Communication Skills, not to mention my computer skills!” he sighted.

This was the turning point for Rabin, he realized that if he could operate other people’s businesses, then the likelihood of operating one successfully for himself was probable, and so he decided to shift his life’s direction from being an employee to an entrepreneur.

“Entrepreneurial qualities exist in individuals in a variety of combinations and degrees. It means that almost everyone – and that includes you and me – has entrepreneurial attributes, more or less. These attributes can be apparent or hidden, active or dormant, developed or underdeveloped.” He would often quote this self made proverb to himself..

Enter the Academy.

The Academy for Creating Enterprise program has helped Rabin discover, activate and develop his entrepreneurial attributes. The training that was provided had a tremendous and long-lasting impact on him that helped fuel his fiery enthusiasm. Through the various programs, case studies and inspirational speakers, Rabin discovered a whole new world in Enterprise Creation, a world filled with opportunities with abundance, and not scarcity. “It was a 360 degree change in PERSPECTIVE.” he quipped. I realized that, “To be born poor is not a sin, but to die poor is ultimately one’s fault.” he concluded.

Currently, he is the Managing Partner of a water refilling business, branded as AQUAPOWER. which earned him a nomination as a finalist in the business start-up category of the recently concluded Entrepreneur Academy Awards. He has been able to start this venture with the help of a Canadian LDS partner, whom he describes as 'Manna' from heaven.

“I was deeply touched by my business partner’s vision and righteous desire in helping me and other Filipinos uplift their way of living so that we could serve the Lord better.” he said. But all was not well in the beginning, the Canadian partner, himself an experienced businessman, would question Management policies and practices within the business and very soon, their personalities clashed. There was also the huge problem of losing their water containers to their customers and of course, cash flow.

The capitalization was quite high and so they put their minds together and decided to overcome differences or else they would lose it all. After a few emotional splurges on disagreements and without a hint of discouragement, Rabin and his partner set aside differences, rewrote their business plan and devised a system for their distribution and implemented their plan, which has helped increase their sales while minimizing liabilities thus, increasing profitability.

AQUAPOWER is now a successful refilling station engaged in the production of purified water for distribution in 5-gallon ‘food-grade’ containers. The business gives employment to six (6) Heads of Families, mostly members of the LDS Church, these employees in turn serve in different capacities for the LDS Church. .The station is situated right along the Minglanilla-Naga South National Road in Sitio Abuno, barangay Tulay, Minglanilla Cebu and serves primarily the neighboring city of Talisay and municipalities of Naga and Minglanilla.

The business plan also describes their plan to accept dealerships in the near future and in other areas of the province as it evolves into a micro franchise prototype because of it’s proven systematic water delivery. Rabin’s study, hard work and perseverance has helped the venture hit a monthly gross sales of Php108T (US$ 2297) with an excellent ROI of 37%. Although it’s initial capitalization will have a complete return in 3 years time, it is impressive to note that in just 12 months of operation, Aqua power has been able to return to its investor approximately 25% of the initial capitalization together with a monthly profit share.

As his business experience and skills grow, Rabin is ready to take on newer ventures with greater returns. As his refilling station runs on ‘Auto-Pilot’ (systems dependent business), he is now starting his own logistics business together with another ACE Alumnus. He is also able to better serve in various capacities for the LDS Church. “Had it not been for much of the training I have obtained in the ecclesiastical setting, I would not be in the position where I am in right now.” he said. True enough, had he not been a Returned Missionary, he would not have been able to join the ACE program.

Rabin and Janis are blessed with (3) beautiful daughters. He is currently serving as the 2nd Counselor of the Talisay Philippines Stake for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.