John Matthew Salon and Spa - History

(written by Jonathan "John" Cruz - owner of John Matthew Salon and Spa at 1801 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines) ....

I used to be connected with real estate and construction supply companies doing marketing and documentation works for 17 years. Although that my employment was remarkably successful in the sense that I was designated to occupy critical managerial positions and earned a good sum, call me ambitious but I felt that I was destined to be an entrepreneur. My Chinese blood and my good academic background in mathematics had been pushing me to do things on my own ... I mean having my own business.

I had actually some small business ventures like a 24-hour lugawan and tapsilogan as well as fabricating and selling indoor lamps, and I'm happy to say that both did very well. However, I was doing those businesses at the time when I was still employed. In time, I was forced to stop pursuing it because my employment requires much of my time and effort.

My last employment was with a construction supply company. Oh my, it was one hell of an experience. My boss (the owner) was the worst superior one could ever have. Give me all the negative adjectives in the dictionary, he has it. I worked no less than 10 hours a day, six times a week. The work load, pressure and sales target were manageable but what aggravated everything was my boss' attitude. Modesty aside, I was a multi-awarded manager of the company for several years but I still did not manage to apprehend the unexplainable tantrums and idiosyncrasies of my boss.

It was that one ordinary Monday morning (sometime on January 2003) when I decided to hand-in my irrevocable resignation letter at my boss' table. At first, he thought that it was just another resignation letter coming from me and all he has to do is to beg or offer me another salary increase. He got the shock of his life when I refused to stay. And to retaliate, he held the release of all my receivables (commissions and salaries) not until I find and train my replacement. I immediately looked for my replacement and screened several applicants. Until I found one very qualified applicant and trained him. In the course of his training, the applicant decided to back-out upon seeing the attitude of my boss. So I sorted again for another applicant, trained him and the same story happened. Until I found the 4th applicant who seemed to be more gutsy and confident that he can handle our boss. Finally, my boss allowed me to leave the company as he signed all my clearances. That was July 2003 (six months from the date of my resignation). When it was time for me to claim for my commission and salaries, my boss turned his back and asked me to do a special project which will last for two (02) more months. On September 2003, he released my money. Hayyyy...

I used to be in a relationship with a Filipino based in New Zealand. We met in Cebu during those times when my job required me to train the sales team in Mandaue. When he migrated to New Zealand, we both decided to call it off as we both do not believe in long distance relationship. It must be "love" (he he he!) that pushed us to pursue the relationship despite the distance. We renewed and nurtured our relationship thru overseas call and yahoo messenger. What a way!

Until he decided to help me find a job in New Zealand and quit my job in the Philippines. That was actually my reason why I resigned from my last employment.

Sometime on March 2004, he arrived in the Philippines to assist me in transacting my visa documents. But he had a confession. It was a devastating one.

He admitted that he is married to a woman in New Zealand who owns the company where I will be employed. Our relationship will be kept secret between us. No one must know because otherwise, it will jeopardize my work and his. He begged me to go with him in New Zealand despite his confession.

I refused.

Immediately, I closed all doors of communication with him. He lied and I dont want to be a part of his infidelity. I sacrificed my New Zealand dreams just for me to hold on to my firmest principle of not being a relationship-wrecker. In the eyes of God, he is married to a woman.

But then, I had to face the next problem...what do I do next?

My passion for beauty products and wellness is my way of relieving stress. It's actually the rewards I give to myself everytime I feel deprived, depressed and lonely.

On weekends, my good friends Alexyz Arcilla and Mike Sia would join me for a splurge in all the services of a barbershop somewhere in Binondo, Manila. The attendants at the barbershop took delight in seeing us come in trio because we never said no to all the services they offer. The problem was, all their services were done on the same spot - at the barber's chair. The only change was when they straighten or recline the chair. I felt shy when other customers see my face covered with mud-pack. Or when the barber had to put-off my shirt for the massage.

It is then when I thought of putting-up a complete salon. A salon that will hit "lots of birds with one stone." A salon which offers expertise in all services and most of all, privacy particularly to services that require such.

With the help of my good friend Matthew (who is based in Australia), we then decided to put up JOHN MATTHEW SALON AND SPA, named after myself (Jonathan is my full name, John is my nickname) and Matthew. It sounds American and biblical at the same time.

I was able to locate the business spot. It's at 1801 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue (near corner New York), Cubao, Quezon City. The place is accessible to public transportation, with good parking spaces and the vicinity was middle to upper-middle class.

On October 11, 2005, my business opened with 14 staff - 7 for the salon and 7 for the spa. The ground floor is the reception, salon and comfort room spaces. The second floor has two spaces - a living room area for footspa, manicure and back massage AND the private area for massage of female customers. The third floor is the massage area for male customers, and it's got locker room and wash/comfort room.

We made the interior simple but elegant. Our efforts to maintain its cleanliness is every minute. My thrust to professionalize my staff never stopped up to this day. We keep on researching for the best manner of servicing our customers. From time to time, we explore new and highly effective products and services. Our price rates are exceptionally affordable. We never short-changed nor overpriced our customers. We strive to value diligence, honesty, workmanship, expertise, discipline and superb customer relations.

Our relationship with our customers has been remarkably fruitful as we are now proud to claim that he have been maintaining a large number of clientele from different places in Metro Manila as well as other provinces.

We stood the test of time. We are now on our 4th year!

Customers keep on coming back. It must be our expertise on both salon and spa services coupled with the courteous treatment we give to our customers. We used the most effective, appropriate, safe and quality products to harmonize with our services. My staff are well-trained and disciplined.

I was actually at the stage of what they called "mid-life crisis" when I opened John Matthew Salon and Spa. The confusion was mainly on the aspect of whether I will remain employed or be an employer myself. My previous plan of working abroad (New Zealand) was actually another option but it didn't push thru.

But when I decided to put up a business, it was as if I was dipping my foot to a boiling water and hesitancy, discouragement and all the negative factors had restrained me from doing it. I prayed hard to Him and asked for strength and self-determination.

Chinese philosopher Confucius said that "A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP." That quotation had inspired me to preserve the guts and self-motivation during the time when I was pursuing my business.

And looking back now, it must be my strong-willed character and my trust in God that made me fulfill my dreams of owning a successful business establishment. I don't remember a time when I have to give up with the insurmountable problems that I encountered at the first few months of my business.

I also I thought that JOHN MATTHEW (my business) must be God's rewards to my determination. The determination to hold-on to my principle (of not being a home wrecker) despite the lure of a good career in New Zealand, and so with my persistence to pursue my dreams.

I wrote this blog to inspire those who would want to quit employment and ventured into a business. Find your passion, consult other people, initiate and persist with your plans, and work hard on it. And pray.

Jonathan "John" Cruz
Owner - John Matthew Salon and Spa