MALC HARDWARE AND CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY

Mr. Julhanni Bandila - Malc Hardaware

Magsimula muna
tayo sa maliit. Start in
a small business, kasi
hindi ka pwedeng
magstart sa malaki
agad, wala ka pang
experience. Pag-
aralan muna natin
kung ano yung pinasok
natin.

These inspiring words came from Julhanni Jainal Bandila, 39 years old, who was once an
inspiring entrepreneur and businessman. He graduated from University of Mindanao, Davao City
with a Bachelors Degree in Commerce. He started as a contractual employee when he came
back in Cotabato City more than 10 years ago. Now, he is the owner of a successful business
entity, the Malc Hardware and Construction Supply.

The office room for him felt a bit stuffy, and he said that being in the office for hours did
not make him feel like a functional employee. This gave him an idea to get moving and be busy
starting a business while working as an employee until his contract ends, and at the same time an
opportunity for him to earn double compensation.

Business runs in the blood. Aside from getting bored with files and paper works, he also
had the motivation from his parents, who are engaged in the textile business and travels to
Singapore and Malaysia occasionally. He started venturing into small businesses, specifically the
ukay-ukay which was small and nondescript.

To be a productive businessman is to look for more opportunities. He sought advice from

business experts and attended business seminars by certain government agencies and NGOs.
From there, he learned that the hardware business is good to undertake, as it deals with products
that are not perishable.
 He had a good start. He strategized with his new venture by his management and
leadership style. Julhanni said that it is important to know the basic business strategies to look
for a good location, to manage your people properly, to gain loyalty from your employees and to
approach the customers which cater their need properly. His greatest achievement was
experience. Increase in assets and return on capital is given, as the goal of business is for returns
and profits. Aside from these, he said that gaining experience and having progress in managing a
business is what he considers an achievement.

Every business encounters a problem, and managing the regular expenses and dealing
with the liabilities was Juhannis greatest challenge. In overcoming this problem, he said that it is
important to have some cash kept for contingencies, and to be able to meet the demands of the
creditors as your debts fall due. Most importantly, he stressed that his secret in rising up from his
downfalls is his worship in Allah (SWT). If you have good faith, everything will follow.

As a Muslim, he said that the very foundation of every Muslim is to stand up for his
prayer, five times a day. This accompanies his good management in handling his employees,
maintaining good rapport with them, being aware of the details and updates of the operations of
the business, particularly in being meticulous about the products they offer, how to display it,
and how to manage slacks and surplus, and serving the best interests of his customers.

Perhaps the best advice to give to aspiring entrepreneurs is to start from a small business.
From there, it is up to anyone on how to strive to be known as a great entrepreneur. A little
progress each day adds up to big results. Julhannis words live by this. Little knowledge and
experience can be dangerous, and so starting small can give you the opportunity to get familiar in
the business and learn how to deal with it. Now, Julhanni is reaping the fruits of his hard work,
patience, good relationship with his people, and faith in Allah SWT.