Melani and Marvin Natores have a very nice problem – demand for the product and services they have been selling for the past two years is TMTH. That’s American Idolish for “too much to handle” in case you haven’t heard. 
An accountant and a chemist by profession in their early thirties, the couple set up an event-souvenir business that provide onsite creations as take-home gifts like photo magnets, bag tags, key chains.
The way Filipinos have gone crazy over the digital revolution, it’s not that hard to understand why their company, Konsepto, is very much in demand. Divisoria giveaways for weddings are uber-tacky, chocolates are nice but you can buy them anywhere. Now, instant photographs of the event itself…that’s kewl!
Even for corporate events and big seminars or symposia, these digital lootbags meet the craving for personalization and customization so widespread these days. People are always looking for something that is uniquely theirs. I tell you it’s a rebellion from mass production, China-style.
So Melani and Marvin are applying for business mentoring to learn from Willy Arcilla how to make sure their unique ideas are protected, and yet be able to expand their business to Visayas and Mindanao. It’s a bittersweet place to be – they want to keep the technology safe but know they have to let more and more people see the technology so they can expand.
Their new product, Fotoloco, for example, is a Fotome-ish type of contraption that many yuppies are now getting familiar with. It’s the product itself that they can’t hide in the backroom, and yet putting the booth itself out in the public eye raises the chance of getting whammed by a serious copycat.
Watch a video of Melani and Marvin on their young business. If you think Melani and Marvin have what it takes to be part of the business mentoring project of INQUIRER.net, vote for them by commenting on this blog. You may also want to check the previous articles for my blog posts on the first six contestants.
Pat’s Floral Supplies
Comteq Computer & Business College
Mandilu
Jyouhou(joho) Technology Inc.
Fountain Cool
No More Slipping, Inc.
(Business Mentoring is a one-year project by Open For Business of INQUIRER.net. We are choosing eight businesses from the ones that applied by email, who will be mentored by Willy Arcilla, regional director of ZMG Signium Ward Howell and president of Business Mentors Inc. Willy is an industrial economist from the UA&P-CRC with a 25 year career in corporate planning, marketing, sales and general management across Asia-Pacific, and is a recipient of the Agora Award for Marketing Excellence.)
March 28th, 2008 at 11:43 am
trendy and fashionable!
March 27th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
We should fully support Filipino products and businesses, and konsepto is one.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
[...] Melani and Marvin Natores Konsepto [...]
March 27th, 2008 at 7:34 am
This is very creative! The products are good souvenirs for all occasions.
You will surely receive years of enjoyment from these personalized gifts from Konsepto.
March 27th, 2008 at 6:35 am
¡Viva Konsepto!
March 27th, 2008 at 6:35 am
¡Viva Konspeto!
March 26th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Great Product!
March 26th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
go konsepto! super kewl souvenir for all ocassions! GBU!!
March 26th, 2008 at 7:31 am
We tried fotoloco on our BNI Christmas Party and it’s cool. It made us feel young again because of the wacky poses.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Awesome!… hope & pray that u guys will make it…
keep that faith!
March 26th, 2008 at 2:07 am
its a great idea… go for it… i will pray for u guys….
March 24th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
[...] Open for Business » Candidate Number Seven: Konsepto (updated with video)#more-164 project of INQUIRER.net, vote for them [...]
March 24th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
its very creative & stylish! :>
March 24th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
A photo magnet will undoubtedly remind us of a special event as it is not to be tucked away in some cabinet or memorabilia box. Mine is at the door of our refrigerator and everytime I see that makes me smile.
March 24th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
[...] Konsepto [...]
March 24th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
konsepto is innovation. New business better future. kudos mga kapatid.
March 24th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
[...] Services « Candidate Number Seven: Konsepto (updated with video) [...]
March 24th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
The idea is quite creative!
The thought of having a token of the very event i wa just in is so cool. I hope they succeed!
March 24th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
A welcome innovation on personal and even corporate give aways.
March 24th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
This is just a great idea for souveniers, I love giving unique gifts to my friends especially during special occasions, hope you extend more the business.
Goodluck and God Bless.
March 24th, 2008 at 11:37 am
doris says:
as a business woman, am really looking for a souvenir items for giveaway esp. when we have seminars, workshops in our dept. (DepEd) & other linkages e.g. CFC, friends, relatives. good luck & god bless. am voting for you.
March 24th, 2008 at 11:06 am
They’ll provide you good photos on nice graphics inlaid in something useful! YOU HAVE MY VOTE! GOOD LUCK!
March 24th, 2008 at 10:49 am
This is a great way to personalize my gifts….and even giveaways for the special events in my life. My vote goes to this very innovative couple!!
March 24th, 2008 at 9:36 am
This is a really great idea! I’m really bored getting the traditional giveaways in parties. This is something really innovative and fun. Congratulations Meme and Marvin!
March 24th, 2008 at 8:37 am
I have seen some of their products; they are really nice for special events.
I vote for Konsepto
March 24th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Good concept… hope to have a party soon so I can avail of their services
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Hi Marvin & Meme,
You’re business is really innovative and unique. My vote goes to you guys!
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:06 pm
the first time i heard about this, i got interested right away… a great idea for wedding; debut or corporate souvenirs. goodluck to both of you!!!
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:01 am
This concept sounds great!
God bless.
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:52 am
Konsepto ! deserves it. It’s unique!
lets move it to another level now ! best wishes Mel and Marvin
March 23rd, 2008 at 12:37 am
I like the concept of their products cause its very personal and innovative. it captures a moment sealed to a photo magnet or pins or key chain or bag tags. Like the pin i have which i pinned in my bag. Seeing my friends thru that pin always makes me smile. its something worth keeping
konsepto definitely deserves to be in the list.
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Their business is something really cool and interesting.. It is sad that i haven’t heard of their service until now.. I just got married last March 8, 2008, and it would have been really great if we availed their products and services for our give-aways.. God bless and may your business truly prosper.. I’m definitely voting for you..
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Your product sounds great! Goodluck!
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:48 am
Capturing your event in a fun-filled way is what Konsepto really makes. Its fun, creative, and unique. My vote for Melani and Marvin, really great business!
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:44 am
Hi Melanie and Marvin. Your product sounds good. Praying for your success.
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:16 am
Marvin and Melanie,
you deserve to win…I vote for you!
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:11 am
Marvin and Melanie,
Way to go…I vote for you!
March 21st, 2008 at 10:28 pm
I am voting & highly recommending your creative ideas on these wonderful products/business which will be appreciated & treasured by anyone who’ll have it. Bring them to TEXAS!
March 21st, 2008 at 9:35 pm
An ingenious concept coupled with the passion to serve. That’s what makes Konsepto stand out.
March 21st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I am interested with the products! Hope & Pray that Konsepto will get the business mentoring project!
March 21st, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Very nice and promising! Konsepto got my vote! Looking forward to see more of Konsepto!
March 21st, 2008 at 1:53 pm
We really need fresh ideas like this…especially on how to keep special memories on special occasions…Two thumbs up for them!
March 21st, 2008 at 10:33 am
Stories of young Filipino entrepreneurs promoting a good idea, offering good service, and giving good jobs to other Filipinos are always inspiring. All the best to you, Melani and Marvin!
March 21st, 2008 at 9:37 am
Mervin and Melanie’s product concept is not only innovative but very relevant.Congratulations we need more people like them who can showcase Filipino ingenuity.
March 21st, 2008 at 9:19 am
Hi Mahjo and Meme! Congratulations on your growing business!! Hopefully, we can go home for our new daughter’s/son’s birthday so we can get services..Keep up the good work. =)
March 21st, 2008 at 8:54 am
I believe there is a very bright future for this kind business… keep it up young couples… my vote is with you…
March 21st, 2008 at 8:18 am
I’ve seen these guys in one of the IT events . Honestly I was surprised at first to see an odd product from all the IT products and services lined up. Hey but the response they got was tremendous. It was like a queue for a hit movie. It’s a box office hit! Great work guys!
March 21st, 2008 at 8:14 am
having heard of your new product, well that’s something that will click in the market regardless of age considering its being innovative and it leaves nice memories of the transpiring events. great, you got my vote!
March 21st, 2008 at 8:14 am
really cool… filipinos will really dig this! we are crazy with these souvenir stuff! you have my support here in nicaragua, central america!! =)
March 21st, 2008 at 8:12 am
March 21st, 2008 8:15 am
that’s one product that will surely click in the market especially to the young generation. that’s great, I vote for you!
March 21st, 2008 at 8:03 am
March 21st, 2008 7:55 am
having heard of your new product, well that’s something that will click in the market regardless of age considering its being innovative and it leaves nice memories of the transpiring events. great, you got my vote!
March 21st, 2008 at 3:24 am
Its always nice to learn of new concepts and how they would meet a yet un-satisfied demand.
I wonder if they will go into franchising. Maybe thats the next step.
You have my vote. God bless!
March 21st, 2008 at 2:39 am
Very nice concept and product indeed! Keep up the good work…
March 20th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Definitely looking forward to a great product concept. You deserve to be in the Business Mentoring program.
March 20th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Hi Marvin and Melanie, your business product is supper-duper. I’m pretty sure that I got a sample of your product ( a magnetic photo as a wedding souvenir) when I attended the wedding of my former member (now Mrs. Michelle Velarde Loveland) in Singles for Christ. Mitch got married in Fernwood Gardens July of last year. In fact, I like the souvenir so much to the extent of placing it in front of my dressing mirror… Nice shot, huh!
Kudos to both of you for coming up with such kind of business.
Susan
March 20th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
nice concept! one vote from me!
March 20th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Hey Melani and Marvin, your product sounds wonderfully innovative and exciting! way to go guys… i definitely vote for you all the way from India!
March 20th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
adds a personal touch to any function… innovative, captures moments, creates memories.
March 20th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
this is a great business…very innovative…hope to see more of Konsepto…
March 20th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
instant photographs of the event itself…and in photo magnets, bag tags & key chain form? That’s really cool!..I’d vote for you!
March 20th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Their product concept is a cut above all the mass produced give away we normally get from events and definitely something for the recipient to keep. Two thumbs up for them!
March 20th, 2008 at 9:21 am
with a business like that, it will surely hit here in ecuador. i vote for this couple!
March 20th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Estoy de acuerdo con todo lo dicho y creo que va a ser un negocio exitoso.
I agree with all what they have said and I think that a business like that will be successful.
March 20th, 2008 at 9:16 am
with a business like that, it will surely hit the market here in ecuador! go for it!
March 20th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Being creative and dedicated to this kind of business is such an inspiration to the Filipino youth. I highly recommend them to the entire person that will meet and talk to! Melani and Marvin keep it up!
March 20th, 2008 at 8:37 am
I find their product unique. I support this idea from this young couple. Such innovative and creative ideas really brings my interest. I vote for them as I have personally received this kind of souvenir.
March 20th, 2008 at 2:00 am
I like the idea of Konsepto. I think this small enterprise has a future.
March 20th, 2008 at 1:04 am
hey guys, i just thought you should know that i think what you’re doing it’s pretty cool and i hope you win…
March 20th, 2008 at 12:30 am
i vote for them!!! i’m from chicago and their business would be awesome here in the US, the wedding industry is a great market for this type of business. i hope you make it over to the US soon!
March 20th, 2008 at 12:30 am
i have seen the products of these couple through a friend, and i must say it rocks! the magnet pictures can really be a good souvenir, and i was telling my friend that when i get back to Philippines and get married, i will consider the products of melanie and her husband for souvenir. =)
March 20th, 2008 at 12:09 am
looks like a very promising business idea. count my vote for these young entrepreneurs.