7 years later in Dubai, OFW couple opens hotel, coffee shops in Batangas

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) may look back proudly at what he and his wife have built through their perseverance abroad: a hotel and two coffee shops.

It took 44-year-old Lyndon Magsino and his wife, Rosemarie, seven years to put up the establishments. Lyndon is a Philippine- and US-licensed certified public accountant (CPA), chief auditor of a large corporate bank and investment company, and a sovereign wealth fund. Rosemarie is also a CPA.

"We were blessed with these assets and small businesses while working in the Dubai as OFWs. It took us many years to gather our capital together with hard work and perseverance. But by God's grace, we are able to start a small venture back home," said Magsino.

The "small venture" is a hotel located in the center of Lemery and Taal, Batangas. It has 16 rooms, a restaurant, and business lounge, with the Magsinos' coffee shop just next door. The other cafe, a separate establishment with a seating capacity of 100 people, is also in Lemery.

Magsino arrived in Dubai in June 2015. The couple got started in the hotel and coffee shop business in July 2022. The soft opening for the second coffee shop was held on October 18 this year. The couple employs 24 full-time and part-time staff.

"Mahirap magsimula ng negosyo kasi it is really hard to take the risk, let go of our hard-earned money for something that is full of uncertainty—meaning no assurance that the business will be successful," Magsino said.

"We are able to do it by studying the market, good planning for what kind of businesses to start and also saving capital funds consistently from our monthly salary by living a simple life in Dubai."

"It's difficult to start a business because it is really hard to take the risk."

Business is doing good, but could he and his wife have done it if they stayed at home?

"In my case, it really helped me build my capital base a bit faster as an OFW. Moreover, it is possible to save funds for the capital, start a business and be successful as an entrepreneur—regardless of whether you are working abroad or working in the Philippines," said Magsino.

He maintains that it relies on the "individual's character."

"I have seen both sides of the story from OFWs and also from workers in the Philippines—some are successful and some are not. So, I think mas malaking factor dito ay ang characteristics ng individuals, and very small factor lang ang lugar or nature ng work," Magsino said.

(I have seen both sides of the story from OFWs and also from workers in the Philippines—some are successful and some are not. So, I think the individual's character plays a bigger role. The place or nature of work is only a very small factor.)

"Depende na sa goal at focus level ng tao 'yan. So, naniniwala ako na depende 'yan sa sipag, tiyaga at diskarte (It depends on a person's goal and focus. I believe it depends on hard work, persistence, and strategy). I believe in the value of hard work, perseverance and determination to pursue and achieve our goals in life. More importantly, I believe in the grace of God—without wisdom, strength and our ability given by our Creator, all our hard work and efforts will be fruitless," he said.

Magsino said they plan to expand further, but "right now, our focus is the education of our kids."

The couple has two children, both studying in Dubai international schools, and one of whom will be entering the university three years from now.

"So, our strategy now is to invest in stock market or any assets that can be easily converted back to cash so that we can sustain the education expenses of our kids," he said.

Magsino, whose first job was as a senior manager in a Dubai-based global consulting firm, specialized in banking and investment. He founded the Philippine Institute of CPAs in Dubai in 2017, and in Doha years earlier.

He has also been actively helping the community and educating global Filipinos in several countries as a speaker in various financial literacy and investment programs over the last 20 years.

His community services are all purely voluntary work.

Magsino obtained his accountancy degree from the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City. He got his executive MBA Hult International Business School in Boston, Massachusetts. — VDV, GMA Integrated News