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Time moves fast for couple's venture

By Maricar Cinco
Southern Luzon Bureau

Posted date: May 18, 2008


SAN PEDRO, Laguna--Who would have thought that a few clicks on the Internet would bring couple Rudyard and Judith Cinco (not related to the author) their fortune?

From a Multiply site, to seasonal bazaars, the Cincos now run three outlets of Imagerè Fashions in malls. The couple is the sole authorized dealer of the Claudia and Alexus Christy timepieces in the Philippines.

In July last year, Judith retired from her job as a training and development manager, thinking that office stress and fatigue were delaying her pregnancy. Yet, she wanted to start a home business that would not be as demanding as her previous job.

She found goods to sell such as China-made wallets and pendants from the Internet, but the first few attempts flopped.

Determined to put her savings into something lucrative, Judith gave it another try with the Claudia and Alexus Christy watches.

"At first I was really hesitant because they (suppliers) were requiring a big bulk for the initial order, and I hadn't seen the watches."

After haggling from 1,000 down to 50 pieces for the initial order, Judith started selling to friends. She and her husband were surprised that all 50 watches were immediately sold out.

They formalized their local name, Imagerè Fashions, in September.

Claudia and Alexus Christy timepieces are fashion watches manufactured in Malaysia but use Japanese mechanism.

Via Multiply
Starting as home-based entrepreneurs, most of the couple's transactions were done over the Internet.

Judith created a Multiply account where they made their first sales.

Multiply is an online social networking service commonly used to share photos, videos, or blog entries to the person's direct contacts. It also has a module on Marketplace that allows users to share interests in purchases.

"I started to get good impressions from (online) buyers, which served as our ticket to inviting more people to buy Claudia and Alexus Christy watches."

Buyers would also volunteer to be added to the contact list for regular updates on new watch models and designs.

The payment mode is similar to eBay.com, a popular online auction and shopping website. Buyers deposit payment over the bank and the merchandise is delivered to them through a courier service. Shipping usually takes overnight if the buyer is within Manila and two to three days to those outside the metro.

Judith shares the pros and cons of an online business. Not having to leave the house and still earning is an advantage to her. She also notices a quick turnover through Multiply because it allows them to reach most number of Internet users.

The challenge, however, is assuring the buyers that the business is not a scam and that they are getting quality products and what they paid for.

"What we have established is the integrity and credibility of the business," Judith says.

The Cincos encourage those who have already purchased their products to post their impressions and comments on the Multiply account as a testimony of a fair transaction with the buyers.

Consignment
After a month of working online, the couple decided to join trade fairs and bazaars.

Rudyard and Judith ordered supplies almost everyday, which increased from 50 to hundreds and later to 2,000 watches per month.

It was also through the bazaars that they were able to invite dealers from Manila, Tacloban, Iligan, Naga, and Cabuyao.

By January, Imagerè Fashions opened an outlet in Rugged Door at the Podium and then in Cinderella at SM Mega Mall and Glorietta.

Judith says they try to use a "multi-approach to maintain visibility in the market" through the Internet, bazaars and a store.

She says outlets in malls give their buyers more security in case they want to avail of the warranty or service for the watches.

Judith describes fashion watches as usually colorful, detailed with gem stones, and with designs versatile to both male and female users.

"A new trend in the Philippines today is shifting from conventional to fashion watches that suit one's personality and attire," Judith says.

With the fast growth of the business, the couple now looks forward to getting more distributors.

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 ©Copyright 2001-2008 INQUIRER.net, An Inquirer Company

I should have posted this a long time ago but because I was occupied with so many things in recently, it's only now that these great watch photos will be posted. This work deserved to be complimented because this is labor of brotherly love and the imaginative mind of our good friend Nino Estrada. We miss him and his family, Gaylie, the kids Keisha and Shobe because they just left to migrate in Australia.

Some of these photos were made into posters and you can see them in our Cinderella Megamall and Glorietta outlets.

Click here to view the photos

Thank you.

JUD


If you missed to read the feature which was published in the Manila Bulletin on MAy 16, 2008 under Lifestyle Section - Arts and Living. Here's the full text and the link:

A Romance with Time
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Mirjana Co, Photos by: Pinggot Zulueta

Her desire to have a baby after eight years of marriage prompted Judith Cinco to quit her job as a human resources executive in June of 2007.

And in one lazy afternoon after her early retirement, she met "Claudia" and "Alexus Christy" on the internet.

For Judith, it was love at first sight.

With the help of husband Rudyard, she wasted no time in bringing "Claudia" and "Alexus Christy" to the Philippines. For the Cinco couple, this was the start of a fashionable and profitable endeavor. Claudia and Alexus Christy are the ladies’ and men’s brand of watches of Imagere Fashions.

husband and wife team Judith and Rudyard
"I met this Malaysian businessman while I was surfing the net and since I so love watches, I inquired about it and the next thing I knew, he already sent me a catalog," Judith revealed.

Claudia and Alexus Christy timepieces are French-designed, Malaysian-produced, and use Japanese technology.

The designs are so eclectic, so distinct from each other, yet each piece is so exquisitely crafted that choosing which one you truly like is agonizing because you want to take home the whole lot.

"I fell in love with the style and design of the watches and I ordered an initial 50 pieces. One week pa lang, ubos na siya!" Judith beams with pride.

She ordered another batch of 50 more, and just like the first order, the timepieces flew off her hands faster than she could say, check these out!

The first major exposure for Claudia and Alexus Christy timepieces in the Philippines was during an October bazaar in Alabang where the Cinco couple was invited to participate.

"We were very, very pleased that again the Claudia and Alexus Christy watches were sold out in no time," Judith said.

As could be expected, these timepieces are getting the attention they deserve.

"Claudia and Alexus were named the best finds in bazaars, the best-priced watches in the Philippines, and the must-haves for 2008," Judith said, like a proud mother.

Judith added that Claudia are "kikay watches" while Alexus Christy are men’s "porma watches." She added that these timepieces are so versatile they can be your main fashion accessory.

"We want to start a trend. We would be glad to see more Filipinos wearing accessory watches, like Claudia and Alexus Christy," Rudyard said.

To do this, the Cinco couple introduced Claudia and Alexus Christy all over the country through their dealership program.

They now have very satisfied dealers in Laguna, Cebu, Tacloban, Naga, and Iligan.

"We welcome more dealers in other provinces because we are confident that through Claudia and Alexus Christy watches, life can be so much better for them. They are so easy to sell because they have fun colors, trendy styles, and (are) very durable and...affordable," Rudyard adds.

"Another plus (for) Claudia and Alexus Christy watches is that we bring in only limited pieces per design so there’s a feeling of exclusivity," Judith said.

From the initial 50 pieces, some 3,000 Claudia and Alexus Christy watches are now sold every month.

"But in peak seasons, like holidays, we get to sell about 6,000 to 7,000 pieces," Judith said.

The Cinco couple’s romance with Claudia and Alexus Christy has also inspired them to introduce their own design of corporate watches which they started last April.

"There is the metal alloy watch which is normally used for promos. We also offer the Claudia and Alexus Christy designs and incorporate the company logo in them, and (these are) most appropriate as corporate giveaways to valued employees and clients," Judith said.

(Claudia and Alexus Christy watches are available at the Glorietta and Megamall branches of Cinderella and at the Rugged Door boutique at the Podium. To find out more about these watches, visit http://imagere.multiply.com)


A Romance With Time


Blog EntryCLAUDIA AND ALEXUS CHRISTY AT THE PODIUMFeb 7, '08 8:26 PM
for everyone
At last, our first store display! Check-out your favorite Claudia and Alexus Christy timepiece designs at the RUGGED DOOR,4/F Markati Palazzo at the Podium, St. Francis Square, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. 

Blog EntryCLAUDIA WATCHES - ONE OF THE 2008 MUST HAVES!!!Jan 26, '08 4:32 AM
for everyone
We are caught by surprise! Our watches have been identified as one of the 2008 Must Haves by a prestigious teen magazine - The Candy Mag. Please buy the Jan-Feb 2008 issue to see the Batik watch in Page 5.

To the Candy Mag team, thank you very much
for taking notice and appreciating our Claudia and Alexuschristy watch collection. And to all the users of the Claudia and Alexuschristy timepieces, you continue to inspire us.

Blog EntryIMAGERE WATCH COLLECTION IN SM CEBU TRADE HALLJan 11, '08 1:02 AM
for everyone

We are in Cebu to celebrate the Sinulog Festival! You can see your favorite Claudia and Alexuschristy watches at the SM CEBU TRADE HALL, 3/F from JANUARY 11-21. We are one of the exhibitors at the 9th Sinulog Export Overruns and Consumer Bazaar. See and own new watch models not yet posted in this multiply site. Hope to see you if you are in Cebu. Please do tell your friends about it. Thanks!


This year was indeed a breakthrough year for us since we have opened Imagere Watch Collection last September. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all those who visited our site, took interest in the watches, left positive messages in our guestbook, and those who owned Claudia and AlexusChristy watches. Hope we can still interact together through Multiply in the years to come.

May you receive all the blessings this Yuletide brings!

RUDYARD AND JUDITH CINCO


Yes, you've read it right! We were able to sell 340 pcs. of Claudia and AlexusChristy watches at the World Festival Bazaar organized by Worldbex at the World Trade Center last Dec 6-16. That for us is already an overwhelming figure considering that we are only starting. It's worth the sleepless nights and the pressures we felt before, during and after the bazaar.

To all our friends and Multiply contacts who supported the Claudia and AlexusChristy watches, thank you very much for appreciating and owning the watches. And our heartfelt appreciation for those who came back for more and even tagged along their friends.

Hope to see you again at the World Trade Center this coming Dec 21-23 for the 2nd Noel Bazaar this year. We will be at Booth No. 80. Now, it's right turn after the entrance. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All!

WHAT: World Bazaar Festival at the World Trade Center from Dec 6-16, 2007
BOOTH LOCATION:  Booth 108 (turn left after entrance, booth against the wall)
BAZAAR TIME:
Mon - Thu, 12nn - 10pm
Fri - Sun, 10am - 12mn
ESSENTIALS
*** More, more, more watch models not yet on my site!
*** More than 550 concessionaires
*** Shows by ABS-CBN talents
*** Air conditioned venue
*** Honors major credit cards
*** Entrance Fee: P25


SEE YOU THERE!

WHAT: St. James the Great Bazaar, Cuenca Community Center inside Ayala Alabang Village (the biggest bazaar in the South!)
BOOTH LOCATION:  St. James Parking Lot Row 2 Table 11
BAZAAR TIME: 9AM-9PM
ESSENTIALS
*** FREE ENTRANCE!
*** More, more, more watch models not yet on my site!
*** Wear something comfortable as the place is Al Fresco

*** Best buys you cannot find elsewhere, value for your money with over 500 concessionaires
*** Honors major credit cards


SEE YOU THERE!


See more Claudia men and ladies' watches YOU'VE NEVER SEEN YET in my multiply site! You get to see, feel, try and appreciate the watches. The bazaar is one of the most visited in the Metropolis area. I would love to see you there!

Judith
IMAGERE Fashions

*Cuenca Community Center where the bazaar is held is inside Ayala Alabang Village. Stores are open starting 9:00am and close at 7:00pm

STEP 1: Once orders are finalized, there are 2 ways to begin the delivery process.
   
=> PAYMENT THROUGH BANK: Once advised of the total amount including the delivery charge, payment can be made via BPI Savings Account Number 0929-0110-74. Just text me once you've deposited the payment and I'll send your orders.

    => COD: I can do meet ups in Alabang Town Center, Festival Mall, somewhere in San Pedro, Laguna and in my home, also in San Pedro, Laguna - i will give you my home address ( that way you save up on courier charges)

STEP 2:  Please advise throught text or e-mail (see end of this article for details) once payment was made so that orders can be immediately delivered. Delivery of the ordered items together with the delivery receipt will be made via the ff:

     => LOCAL/INERNATIONAL DELIVERY: via Air21/FedEx

    => IF PAYMENT ADVISE IS MADE BEFORE 2PM,  orders will be sent the SAME DAY. You will only be asked to pay if the item is available.

    => IF PAYMENT ADVISE IS MADE AFTER 2PM, 
orders will be sent the next day


Please inform IMAGERE  of the complete address including the postal code where the orders are to be sent. You will be informed of your tracking number via text or e-mail.

STEP 3: After sales service and inquiries will be available. Just text me at (0917)544-8551 or call at 868-7611 . You can also e-mail me at judith_cinco@yahoo.com. We can also chat via YM or Skype with ID: judith_cinco. I will get back to you immediately.

Rest assured that you are dealing with a legitimate seller who is thinking about doing honest business in this online store industry.


With Best Regards,


Ms. Jud A. Cinco
Owner, IMAGERE - Fashion Without Limits





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