March 6, 2023, 8:30 AM - Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines - Penthouse Unit 001
*Ding!*
Sampaguita's robotic voice echoed in Daniel's head:
"Mission Objective: Overcome a Setback and Start Your Own Creative Agency.
"As part of this mission, you will receive a start-up capital of Php. 3,000,000 to help you get started. However, if you fail to complete the mission before the deadline, the capital will be retracted. The money will be deposited into your existing BDO account in a few seconds.
"To complete the mission, you must fulfill the following requirements:
-Register your business
-Hire at least 10 employees (their salaries will be covered by the system)
-Secure your first paying client
"Upon successful completion of the mission, you will be rewarded with Php. 10,000,000 and a property."
"You have 30 days to complete this mission."
Daniel couldn't believe it. Was this some kind of sign? Maybe the reason he hadn't landed any job offers during his recent binge of job applications was that fate was pushing him toward this moment. Starting his own agency had crossed his mind before, but he had hesitated due to a lack of resources and capital. Despite his confidence in his skills, he had been a poor bloke just a few days ago. The thought of having his own business was both exciting and terrifying.
He looked over at Ellie, who was unaware of the message that had just echoed in his head. "Actually, I have been thinking about starting my own creatives agency," he said.
Ellie's eyes lit up with interest. "Really? I haven't considered that before. I've been so immersed in painting that I never explored other niches before. It does sound intriguing," she replied.
Daniel took a deep breath and looked at Ellie with determination. "Alright, I've decided! I'll start my own agency. I'll make the necessary preparations, and you are very much welcome to join. I'll try my best to give you a decent job offer," he said, his tone filled with enthusiasm.
Ellie looked hesitant. "Are you sure? I don't have any experience in that niche," she said.
Daniel smiled reassuringly. "I saw your art and the concepts you have behind it. You just need a bit of experience to get used to it. I think you will do well," he said.
Ellie smiled back, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Thank you, I'll give it a try then."
Daniel was keenly aware of the challenges involved in starting his own business, but he was more determined than ever to give it a try and put his best foot forward. He knew it wouldn't be an easy road ahead, but he was ready to tackle the obstacles head-on and put in the hard work and dedication required to make his creative agency a success.
After finishing her cup of coffee, Ellie expressed her gratitude towards Daniel for his help and for listening to her. She then bid him farewell and headed back to her own unit.
After Ellie left, Daniel picked up his phone and began to search for a reliable law and accounting firm to help him register his business with the government agencies and the Advertising Standards Council (ASC). He came across DM Law and Accounting Office and decided to give them a call.
"Good afternoon, this is Beth from DM Law and Accounting Office. How may I assist you?" Beth answered.
"Good afternoon, I'm Daniel. I'm interested in your services for registering my new agency with the government agencies and the ASC. How soon can you complete the registration process?" Daniel asked.
"We can complete the process within three weeks, but we also offer rush services for an additional fee. How soon do you need it done?" Beth responded.
"I need it done as soon as possible. I don't mind paying a higher fee for the rush service," Daniel replied.
"Okay, we can expedite the process and have it completed within one week for an additional fee of Php. 5,000. Can I ask what kind of agency you're starting and where it's located?" Beth asked.
"I'm starting a creative agency in Quezon City," Daniel answered.
"Great, we have a team that specializes in registering businesses in Quezon City. Our service fee for registering a new business with the SEC and the BIR is Php. 15,000. This includes assistance in preparing and filing the necessary documents, as well as securing your BIR registration and tax identification number," Beth explained.
"That sounds reasonable. How about registering with the ASC?" Daniel inquired.
"Our service fee for registering with the ASC is an additional Php. 10,000. This includes assistance in preparing and filing the necessary documents, as well as securing your Certificate of Registration from the ASC," Beth replied.
"I'm willing to pay the additional fee for the rush service. Can we proceed with the registration process now?" Daniel asked.
"Absolutely. We can send you a contract and invoice for the total amount of Php. 30,000. Once we receive the signed contract and payment, we will begin the registration process immediately," Beth said.
"That sounds great. My email is danielabelardo@gmail.com. Please send me the contract and invoice, and I'll sign and make the payment right away," Daniel replied.
"Thank you for choosing DM Law and Accounting Office. We'll send the documents to you shortly," Beth said before ending the call.
Daniel was pleased with his decision to hire DM Law and Accounting Office. He knew that their professional services would save him time and ensure that his business was registered legally and promptly. He discussed the fees with Ellie, and they both agreed that it was a reasonable investment for their business.
Daniel sat in front of his computer, refreshing his email every few seconds. He had been waiting anxiously for the electronic contract from the law firm, and finally, it arrived. With a quick click, he opened the document and began to read through it carefully, taking his time to ensure that everything was in order. He reviewed it thrice, checking every detail and legal term, before finally signing it with a digital signature.
Once he had confirmed that everything was in order, he deposited the agreed amount to the law firm's bank account, relieved to have the legalities sorted out. He took a deep breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment, and then turned his attention to the next task at hand.
Daniel quickly opened LinkedIn and began drafting a post to advertise the job openings for his new company. He carefully crafted the wording of the post, ensuring that it was clear and concise, and included all the necessary details for potential candidates. He included the job title, responsibilities, and qualifications required, as well as any other relevant information.
After a final proofread, Daniel hit the "post" button, feeling proud of himself for making progress on his new venture. He leaned back in his chair and smiled, excited to see what kind of response his job posting would receive.