The MOD Factory founder shares how adaptability, tech skills, and self-discipline shaped his path from worker to entrepreneur.
Dreaming big while starting small is what will forge the next million entrepreneurs in the Philippines. That, and some persevering guts.
This is what Francisco ‘Frenzo’ Cabasag Jr. held on to when he founded MOD Factory, an on-demand merchandise printing business based in Quezon City. It’s the same game plan he wants to share with other Filipino entrepreneurs braving the market today.
While teaching at the Ateneo de Manila University, Cabasag realized how influential his e-commerce experience could be after seeing his students hesitate about starting a business. Remembering he was once in their shoes, he hopes his collective knowledge of the market can serve as a vantage point for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Inspired by Tim Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Workweek and driven by his passion for business, he believed he could create something meaningful. His goal, though ambitious, is clear: ‘My mission, for myself and also for the company, is to empower e-commerce entrepreneurs.
Be ready to be unready
While some might say that individuals should only start a business if there’s a likelihood they’ll gain financial benefit from it, Cabasag argues otherwise: “Create designs and market them immediately. You’ll never know what the market would want.”
Cabasag doesn’t believe in attempting to be perfect even before entering the market. “The market is the best teacher,” he said, especially for startup companies that aim to succeed in the business sphere.
Use the latest tech
When the calculators were first invented, math teachers protested against them, thinking they would threaten their jobs.
Cabasag believes that is what’s happening now with artificial intelligence (AI). Cabasag sees AI as a tool that can help businesses with automation. He also wants to thank the tech behind digital platforms, which allowed MOD Factory to function almost fully online.
“Use tech to run your business easier,” he said.
Invest in yourself
Cabasag built his MOD Factory through trial and error. But some entrepreneurs don’t have the luxury of making one mistake after another.
This is where upskilling makes sense. “Learn how to run Facebook ads, how to make a website, and be strategic with each venture,” he said.
He also wants to be practical: “Don’t resign from your full-time job yet [after putting up a business]—at least not until you earn three times your monthly salary for at least three months.”
Remember your well-being
For Cabasag, staying fit is a long-lasting business strategy. “You can’t give up with the slightest dilemma. Having a business means always having problems to solve,” he said.
The young entrepreneur wouldn’t have made it this far had he spread himself too thin: “You need to be diligent because it’s a business—but not to the point where your quality of life dwindles.”
In business, Cabasag said he tries to reach for the stars, believing that even if he falls short, he’ll still land on the moon. For him, it’s about persistence—he’s determined to keep going for as long as it takes to accomplish his mission.
Frenzo Cabasag, founder of MOD Factory, believes in building entrepreneurs from the ground up. “My mission, for myself and also for the company, is to empower e-commerce entrepreneurs,” he said.
