5 traits of a successful lifestyle-product exporter

Filipino design has received acclaim and accolade all over the world. Each year more local designers and entrepreneurs are looking at the export market. But what does it take for a neophyte in the home and fashion lifestyle export sector to make it big?

Rosvi C. Gaetos, executive director of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, shares the secret traits of successful global entrepreneurs.

• Passionate. "Do not lose steam. A lot of new designer entrepreneurs who venture into the export market easily lose hope when they face challenges, a little bump here and they opt to close down. You will only survive if you have the passion to push through for your dreams even when times are rough."

• Creative. "It is a very competitive industry and the competitive edge of Philippine design is the creativity. A lot of successful designers would think out of the box. Creativity plays an important role in the success of the business."

• Innovative. "This industry is all about innovation. Either you innovate or die. You have to have the flexibility to use non traditional materials or non traditional techniques in developing your products."

• Skillful. "Filipino artisanship is recognized worldwide as one of the best. No other country in the Asia-Pacific region can lay claim to that."

• Business-savvy. "At the end of the day, it is still a business that you have to run--do accounting, inventory, and sales. You need to have a business sense in order to succeed. You must know your market and know what it needs or want."
  

source: http://www.entrepreneur.com.ph