Andy Almendras: Rises From Virtually Nothing

Andy Almendras: Rises From Virtually Nothing – The story of Andriano “Andy” M. Almendras of Bacolod City is probably one of the most inspiring of the many success stories in the country today. Though born to humble parents and with no solid educational background to speak of, Andy was able to establish himself as a successful exporter of quality buttons and fashion accessories in the very competitive fashion accessories industry.

Sixteen years ago, Andy started with just P200 capital but with all the determination to succeed. Andy’s Fashion Accessories started with pitogo key chains and eventually explored the production of fashion accessories such as necklaces and bracelets in coco shells, wood beads and other shells. Recent product lines include Masskara necklaces and refrigerator magnets. It is also known as a supplier of coco buttons and picture frame locks.
Andy’s Fashion Accessories was established in 1990 and acknowledges the ANP as a help-mate in terms of product marketing and exposure, most especially through a number of trade fairs. Products are displayed at the Negros Showroom.

Millie Kilayko of the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) recalls Andy’s early struggles:

“One rainy evening, I needed to get something from Andy so I went to the squatter’s are where he lived and where he had his factory. His neighbors stared at me as I walked past them because few strangers ever ventured into their part of the town. When I finally saw Andy’s house, I was surprised to see a place no bigger than the size of two long tables. There was Andy himself sitting on the ground soil that served as his floor and with him were his family, all of them working on his fashion accessories.

“A few months later, I needed something from Andy again. As I enter the squatter’s area, people no longer stared at me because they were all busy working. When I saw him at his house, Andy told me that I need not have come as I could have just called him on the phone. It was then that I saw the gleaming red telephone next to a fax machine in Andy’s new and bigger shop. Just outside the house was Andy’s new Toyota Tamaraw. When I look at him again, I saw a cellular phone hanging by his waist. That was a new Andy Almendras – the entrepreneur.

Andy and his family no longer lived in the squatter’s area but he regularly brings food and medicines and offers assistance to his former neighbors. More then his newly-found material wealth, Andy exudes the confidence of a man who knows he is good at his chosen trade and works hard to be always better in his craft.

Andy is now a manager of his own company Andy’s Fashion Accessories. Currently he has two workers making accessories in pitogo, coco shells, wood beads, resin, etc. at his house new house in Greensville Subd., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines

Andy says that a successful entrepreneur is one who is willing to make sacrifices yet able to maintain a healthy attitude about work and wealth. Self-reliance, he stresses, coupled with unfailing faith in God has brought him to where he is today.
Source: Office of Senator Manny Villar, Capitol Bank and Association of Negros Producers