All Strings Attached

The Role of All Strings Attached A Story of Adaptability and Resilience

As a serial entrepreneur and medical doctor, Dr. Genaro Gene Angcao has learned to view every business mistake as an opportunity for growth. With a remarkable entrepreneurial journey spanning multiple industries, Gene's experiences serve as a testament to his adaptability, resilience, and ability to learn from failures.

From Sneaker Showrooms to Racket MD

Gene's first side hustle was flipping sneakers, which unexpectedly evolved into a full-fledged passion project. He leveraged connections abroad and borrowed from his mother-in-law's credit card to get his venture off the ground. After finding success with a Hong Kong supplier who agreed to ship stock without upfront payment, Gene's sneaker showroom took off.

When the sneaker market began to deflate, Gene adapted accordingly by launching Calista Brews, a milk tea and cookie shop named after his daughter, and acquiring a Filipino restaurant in San Pedro, transforming it into Angcan. During pandemic lockdowns, another unexpected boom emerged bikes, prompting Gene to tap into his reselling expertise.

Scaling Up with Racket MD

Gene eventually launched MD Cyclery, named after his son Mason DeAndre, and this time around, he did things differently by registering the business officially, obtaining a dealer license, and securing wholesale discounts. In early 2023, he rebranded his shop as Racket MD, a specialty store for tennis, badminton, and pickleball gear.

The Key to Growth Delegation

Gene's key to growth was learning to delegate, shifting from a controlling approach to trusting and assigning tasks, abandoning micromanagement. With three full-time employees at Racket MD and a growing staff across Angcan and Calista, he remains deeply involved but no longer overextended.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Gene's advice is layered with humility and grit To succeed in sales, it's crucial to know your product inside out... Don't expect to bet P1 and win a thousand; business success is directly proportional to the effort and capital you invest, making it a legit gamble.

Finding Balance in a Busy Life

Despite his busy clinic hours and business responsibilities, Gene still finds time for weekly tennis matches, date nights with his wife, and playtime with his children. His secret to balance lies in learning to delegate and trusting others.

Quick Questions with Dr. Angcao

What is your biggest fear?
My kids being sick.
What really makes you angry?
Pressure and stress from work.
What motivates you to work hard?
My family. Everything I do is for them.
What makes you laugh the most?
My wife and kids.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would lessen my clinic and hospital work, go on a trip with my family and extended family.
If you could share a meal with any individual, living or dead, who would it be?
My wife — being on a date and eating with her.
What was the last book you read?
Unfortunately, I didn't finish it, but it's about starting a business.
Which celebrity would you like to meet for a cup of coffee?
Sarah Geronimo.
What is the most daring thing you've ever done?
Dance in boxer shorts.
What is one thing you'll never do again?
Make my wife angry, haha!

Rationale

Gene's entrepreneurial journey serves as a testament to his adaptability, resilience, and ability to learn from failures. His experiences in multiple industries have equipped him with valuable insights that can be applied to other fields. By sharing his story, Gene hopes to inspire others to take calculated risks, trust the process, and recognize that every mistake is an opportunity for growth.

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Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.