One of the businesses many would refuse to undertake during early time is funeral service. Call it part of culture but only a handful wants to talk about the dead, coffins or cemeteries. Of course, there are some families associated with funeral business that have become legendary, like Ford being synonymous with cars, or Smith & Wesson with handguns.
In this reclusive town, a young entrepreneur decided to enter a funeral services at the very outset. It was pure business decision based on marketing study while he was in college. This man was Mauricio Bascon.
In his study, Mauricio found that a small investment plus hard work equalled a tidy profit.
So with borrowed capital from his parents, Mauricio put up a funeral parlour along the main street with a bold sign “St Christopher’s Funeral Home”. Initial expenses included municipal permits, a hearse car, renovating the old building, caskets, and salary for a hearse driver. He did all the sales and clerical works himself.
After a few months of business, Mauricio had only a few customers, business was slow so he went out and investigates.
He found out that most families could not afford his services and they just had coffins made by carpenters for free. Others would just use a carabao cart or two bicycles rigged together with a wooden platform on top to carry the dead.
After a year of operation, Mauricio’s business on dead was dead. People close to him shied away because of his association with dead people. Then came a note from the police chief that he was being summoned to the station. Mauricio went immediately to the police chief’s office.
“Mauricio, the Mayor is fuming mad. A news item in a city paper was alleging that you haven’t paid your employee for some time and that you offered to pay him in kind – a coffin”, the police chief said. Our Mayor doesn’t want this kind of adverse publicity, so when will you settle this?” he pressed on.
“Give me a month, Sir,” Mauricio promised.
“Fine, but you have to sign a statement that I could forward to the Mayor”, the police chief said, emphasizing the complications that non payment of wages could do.
Due to the publicity, Mauricio’s business peaked and even the neighbouring town heard about his business. And because of this, he was able to expand his business and hire more helpers
“Mauricio, why aren’t you married yet” asked Ding his childhood friend asked him one day. “Look at me, I’m happily married”
“To tell the truth, Ding, no woman would like me with this kind of business. I’ll probably die an old bachelor” explained Mauricio.
But eventually Mauricio’s business grows and become wealthy, brought home a demure wife.
“Congratulation, Mauricio”, the woman you captured was well worth the long wait. By the way, how did you meet her?” asked Ding.
“At funeral parlour in the city where she worked as an embalmer. She had a lot of suitors but when they found out about her profession, she said they all scampered away like frightened rabbits.” Mauricio said.
“Then I came into her life and asked her to marry me without telling her that I’m also in the same business as hers. So here we are together at last”,
