Built-In Success: From Zero to Possibilities

Construction industry is recognized as a sector that manufactures and provides services related to building, repairing, renovating, and even maintaining infrastructures that contribute to the country's economic growth. 

Generating about seven percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GPD) of the country in the year 2022, it became the key contributor to the Philippine economy. In an optimistic report of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the industry is expected to grow despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moreover, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority's (PSA) 2023 statistics report, the industry continues to be an important contributor of economic growth. Accounting for 14% of the 5.9% increase in the third quarter of the country’s GDP. 

With the years of continuous growth of the construction industry, determining reliable general contractors and sub-contractors became relevant to the consumers. It is for them to ensure a high-end quality of service and materials used to construct exterior and interior designs of a building. 

Shunamite Construction Supplies is one of the well-known sub-contractors in Metro Manila, furnishing materials for flooring and ceilings, and offers installation services for the materials they provide. For more than a decade in the industry, they’ve already contributed high-quality homes and structures to their consumers where most of them recommend their service to other individuals. 

In the midst of the recognition of the service provided by the business is a hidden story that could inspire millions of future entrepreneurs in the country.  

THE FOUNDATION OF DREAMS

Faith Linao on her ongoing project for the soon-to-rise Pasig City Hall.

‘Shunamite’ is inspired by a biblical figure symbolizing greatness and nobility, which perfectly mirrors the attributes of its owner, Faith Linao, 47. In 2013, with just a dream and ability to connect with people, she managed to build  a successful business from scratch, and eventually established a new standard in the construction industry

After completing a two-year college program, Faith applied to multiple companies and faced numerous rejections before landing a position as a sales agent at a well-known construction supplies company. She worked hard every day, showcasing her exceptional sales skills. However, despite her hard work and perseverance, she experienced mistreatment from her boss and eventually decided to resign.

Unfortunate events do happen in life, but none of them made her stop in pursuing her career goals. Faith entered a freelancing career in the construction industry. Later on, she met one of the construction suppliers of her previous employer at a bidding event. They had a brief conversation about the business, and eventually, she gained the supplier’s trust, who offered her dealer prices. She managed to buy construction supplies in quantities of only 10 or 20 pieces, not reaching the hundreds typically needed for the dealer price. This has helped Shunamite Construction Supplies for the past 11 years.

The story of Shunamite Construction Supplies begins not with a big opening or a lot of money, but with the unwavering determination of Faith, who dreamed of building something from the ground up.

BUSINESS SUCCESS GROWTH DATA 

“Wala akong puhunan, kung hindi laway lang.”

This is what Faith stated when she decided to build her own business: with her diligence  and perseverance she made her goal a reality. Being a former agent helped her a lot. Several well-known clients contacted Faith to ask for assistance in finding suppliers or materials needed in fixing and completing a part of their house or building. As an aspiring businesswoman at that time, she did her best to assist and provide her clients with high-quality supplies with good service. Regardless of the amount of the transaction, she serviced each client equally and put more of an emphasis on developing strong relationships and trust. 

Using the enough savings Faith earned from her services, she was able to build the name of Shunamite, and that’s when her success started. 

In the first 2 years of Shunamite, Faith has the estimated revenue of Php 500,000 which she thinks is a huge achievement already. With that amount of income, she already purchased a second-hand car and even bought land. Years have passed and her business continues to grow, even in the times when COVID-19 pandemic happened. 

The PSA reports that the nation's GDP grew by 11.8% in the second quarter of 2021. Furthermore, the construction sector made a significant contribution to the nation's total capital investments, accounting for at least 69.6% of it. During the second quarter of 2021, the industry ranked second with 1.7% points, making it one of the top contributors to GDP growth despite the pandemic. 

This event put the other business into uncertainties, but for Faith, it is a hope and possibilities. The company's revenue has steadily increased, and its reputation as a reliable supplier has been firmly established in the industry. Her business gained recognition in 2021, and her sales grew from hundreds to millions. It climbed to almost Php 3,000,000 to Php 5,000,000 after years of hard work and dedication. Successful as they say, but for Faith it is only just her beginning. 

Faith's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has translated into impressive business growth. Over the years, Shunamite Construction Supplies has expanded its product offerings and services, catering to a wider range of construction needs. 

“Sa ngayon, successful dahil sa pakikitungo ko sa kliyente, hindi lang naman kasi dapat sales, yung way of communication mo sa clients mo, kung paano ka makipag-communicate sa kanila, yun yung importante.”

OVERCOMING BUSINESS COMPETITION AND CHALLENGES

The construction industry is highly competitive. Despite this competition with other construction businesses, exceptional customer service and support help build trust with clients. Faith demonstrated personalized service and attention to detail in her products and services. She built strong relationships with both suppliers and clients, ensuring a steady flow of high-quality materials and repeat business.

Faith Linao with her client.

Word-of-mouth recommendations help Shunamite Construction both draw in new business and keep existing clients. Faith has built an enthusiastic client base by continuously providing outstanding customer service. Her clients appreciate the confidence and dependability she provides to every job. 

Despite the strategies that Shunamite has executed, some challenges with its clients arise. “Pag cliente kasi— customers is always right. Diba? So, kahit mali sila, kailangan mo pa rin silang i-ano, ibigay yung best pa rin sa kanila. Kasi, ang importante naman dun, yung repeat order eh. Kasi kahit pinakitaan ka nila ng kamalditahan and everything, or kagaspangan ng ugali, pag nakita naman nila na maayos ka makipag-usap, i-rerefer ka pa rin niyan sa iba.”

There are instances that misunderstandings happen and some clients will demand a refund due to dissatisfaction towards a certain service or product, and that is a normal setback in any business. As for Faith, refunding an advance payment is not easy as it can cause conflict to the contractors and suppliers of the materials; nonetheless, she handled it in a professional way - with the right usage of tune of voice and words to say. 

However, Shunamite did not take those challenges in a negative way, instead they used it as motivation to improve their services. As it is in business, it is not always a smooth flow process; it should also experience setbacks where the owner could learn and improve.  

Despite the setbacks the Shunamite experienced, Faith confidently stated that her company had completed over a hundred successful projects. Some of those successful projects are the Baguio Country Club, Agri Pinoy or the Department of Agriculture office in Baguio, Solina Beach in IloIlo, and even the Pearl Manila Hotel in Ermita. Other than that, Shunamite also develops townhouses, and even house and lot in which they will be responsible for providing suppliers and materials needed for the developing process.  

All of these profitable ventures provide her company with a means of obtaining more projects, such as Shunamite's ongoing project in Pasig City Hall, which is only temporary as its initial purpose was to establish a school. 

With those challenges and success, Shunamite later won the Best Quality Flooring and Interior Finishing Materials Supplier awards at the Golden Globe Annual Awards for Business Excellence in 2022. This award only proves the capability the business could provide to its consumers, and its impact in the construction industry. 

FUTURE PLANS AND VISION FOR BUSINESS

With Shunamite Construction Company's growing success, Faith is exploring opportunities in other construction materials, aligning with the growing demand for the construction building market. Other than that, she also established goals and a future plan to achieve her vision for her business in five years.

“Hoping na magkaroon ako ng sariling warehouse, sariling physical store. Yun yung target ko, na hindi lang siya ano, through ganito project based, kundi may physical store din silang pupuntahan,” she stated. 

Faith Linao's journey from a struggling sales agent to the successful owner of Shunamite Construction Supplies is a powerful example of what can be achieved with perseverance, resilience, and effective communication. Her experience serves as motivation for upcoming Filipino business owners in addition to demonstrating the possibility of success in the construction sector.  

“Kailangan passion mo yung ginagawa mo, yun kasi pag hindi mo passion yung ginagawa mo, mabilis ka magsawa. Kasi ang sales kasi, hindi laging pasko, hindi laging, alam mo yun, yung sabi nga nila weather-weather. May time na malakas, may time na mahina. So, huwag kang manghihina,” Flor advised to the future entrepreneurs. 

There is no such thing as easy money inside a business industry; hard effort and perseverance must be displayed to accomplish your goals and ensure the future of the business you're striving to build. As Shunamite Construction Supplies continues to grow, it remains a testament to Faith's unwavering determination and vision. She believes that it's okay to be weak, all you just need to do is to pick yourself up and continue what you have started. 

“Kapag may time na mahina ka, magtanim ka. Para sa susunod, may aanihin ka,” - Faith Linao.  

Article | Carmela Apat, Aicy Marie Castulo, Sheina Malague & Daniela Riego

Contributor | Kiezel Dela Cruz

Infographics | Sheina Malague