Interview with Entrepreneur: Avant Studios

By:

Aubrey Princess B. Laurio

Elaine C. Derpo

SherlynVibar

BSBA FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IV

An introduction and overview about Avant Studios:

The owners:

Ø  Angelo Cantero– Graduate of Audio Visual Communication in Bicol University, batch 2009.

 Ø Nor Llorca- Graduate of Computer Science in STI, batch 2005.

                  Avant Studios is one of the rising tigers in the field of photography in Bicol region. It became famous for its coverage in many University Pageants and Wedding Ceremonies. Amazingly, this enterprise is a two-man team, which makes it more interesting and impressive. The name “Avant” was derived from the French word Avante Grande which means to experiment beautifully with art. With both the owners’ academic backgrounds and trainings, it is no wonder that they can make simple things into scenarios which are full of life. They are famous for their extraordinary themes and concepts. Some of the pageants they have covered for are The Mr. and Ms CBEM 2013, Mr. and Ms. CS 2013, Mr and Ms Bicol University 2013, Regional Mr. and Ms. Ambassador of Goodwill 2013. They have also tried national competitions. They  were one of the studio groups that covered the Miss Earth Philippines in 2012.  Their studio can be found in Happy Homes Subdivision, Washington, Legazpi City.

Interview and Question & Answer:

When was the business founded?

Avant: Summer of 2010.

How did you get the idea or concept of the business? What led you to forming this kind of business?

Avant: Of course the first thing that makes it possible for people to form something is their passion. Photography is our passion. It is like our personality. How it was formed, well, we are both graduates of Divine World College of Legazpi, High School Department so we knew each other even before. Sometime in 2010, during a photography workshop, we crossed paths.  Out of the blue, we talked about forming a studio. Our ideas just clicked and that was it.

Do you consider yourselves entrepreneur?

Avant: Of course. We manage and organize our business and we undertake financial ventures and of course, we assume risks.

What are the services or products you offer?

Avant: Technically, we offer photography and videography. We cover different occasions like weddings (weddings are our specialties), birthdays, beauty pageants, and modelling. After photo shoots and coverage, we include or give finished packages to our customers.

How much for your services?

Avant: It depends on many factors, like if there are many pictorials to be done and many people to shoot, like in a pageant, the cost is pretty higher. But our fee ranges from P25,000-P30,000. It’s actually all worth it.

  

What is your company’s goal?

Avant: It’s simple, to deliver the highest degree of satisfaction to our clients.

How do you advertise?

Avant: Truthfully, what helps us the most in advertising is the word of mouth. The customers we’ve had refer us to others and the cycle goes on. We also have our Facebook page, Avant Studios, where interested people can contact us. We also post pictures on the FB so that people can see our work.

What are your marketing strategies?

Avant: One of the vital things in maintaining a good business is having a good rapport with the clients. With this, they can share to others our work ethic and they’ll be glad to be our clients again. We also make sure that the products/services we offer have very high quality. We see to it that clients see the dedication and art we put into our work.

  

What were the problems or hardships you’ve encountered?

Avant: On a major scale, none so far. The only thing that’s making it difficult for us is the scheduling. Time is always of essence and you know we can’t stop time. There are so many clients whose pictorial or event overlaps the other clients.

What makes your business unique?

Avant: First of all, our name, AVANT. It’s a French word from Avante Grande which means experimental concepts especially in ARTS. If you will notice with our pictures, the set-up is not the typical ones. That’s what I was saying earlier. Our ideas just clicked. We see something very ordinary, like fish and fruit craters or boxes. Normally, people think they are waste and useless but with us, we can use those boxes to make something out of the ordinary which will awe people.

What made you choose this kind of business?

Avant: Well, passion for photography.     

  

Have you ever turned down a client? How did you handle it?

Avant: Yes. We have this “1 Day, 1 Client” policy. The reason for this is that we want to focus on our clients. If we entertain a lot, we can’t really give that satisfaction.

In terms of finances, do you use the services of professional accountants?

Avant: In the beginning we didn’t. But as our business grew, it was harder. So I asked my brother, who is an accountant to do the job.

What are your pricing strategies?

Avant: It varies. If the shoot requires many devices and equipment, of course, the price is a little higher. We also have costing in every category. There are even times when pricing depends on our agreement with the clients. You know, in Avant, it’s not only a sole person or party who decides the theme or concepts of the shoots. There has to be an agreement between us and the client. We talk with them and ask what they want. And then we give suggestions. It’s a key to success.

  

What makes you stand out from the others?

Avant: Well, just like we said, extraordinary concepts, our creativity, and high quality. And of course, we build friendships with our clients. We are not just their mere photographers. This helps them get comfortable around us.

Have you ever thought of risks?

Avant: It’s indispensable in a business. One cannot easily be a one-time good shot in life. When we were just starting, we feared that we may not have enough customers to cover for the spent capital. And actually, up to know, that is one the risks in our business. There is also the risk of competition. More and more studios and photographers are developing in the Philippines. That’s why marketing strategies are very important. It’s one way of diversifying risks.

If you have any piece of advice to people out there who is just starting in a business like yours, what would it be?

Avant: Go langng Go! (laughs) On a serious note, just continue. At first it will be hard and there will be times when non-believers want to see you fall, but it’s not them who you should be pleasing, it’s the customers.