IT manager finds good business in battle games

Published on Sun.Star Network Online (http://www.sunstar.com.ph)

by: Debra Magallon-Estero

IT WAS supposed to be just a “weekend business.”

This was the initial plan of Rowel Bughao, an information technology (IT) manager of an outsourcing company based in Cebu, when he fist ventured into a paintball battle ground business.

In July last year, Bughao pooled his resources to open Weboss Extreme Grounds in Banilad, Cebu City.

“I know that there is a market for an alternative destination here in the city,” he told Sun.Star Cebu in an interview yesterday.

He named the business after the two departments he manages as part of his day job—the Web team and the open source software team (OSS). He disclosed that his IT team from work helped put up the business.

“As much as possible, I want to give business insights to my staff so that they, too, can go into business,” he said.

Fallback

Bughao said that although the business process outsourcing companies have given opportunities to IT professionals like him to earn more, going into business is like having a fallback.

With P200,000, Bughao invested in body gear, paintball guns or markers, knee and elbow pads, face masks and bonnets to start the operation of Weboss.

He first ordered 10 paintball guns online, which only allows for a five to five battle. But this month, Bughao said his additional order of 10 more paintball guns will be arriving, allowing for more players.

The company also leased a 1,100 square meter lot for its battle site—which Bughao describes as a “jungle-like environment.”

Bughao, who manages the company and does the marketing at the same time, said he started out by sending an e-mail blast to at least 5,000 contacts he have on his address book.

He admitted that he didn’t know the demand for such recreational activity would be so strong. He said the company was able to get back its investment in four months.

“Most of the customers are call center employees, bankers and programmers who go there for teambuilding activities,” he said. Tourists, like Koreans, are also regulars at Weboss.

Lately, the company received inquiries and reservations for birthdays and corporate functions.

Bughao said that aside from onsite games, the company also rents out its gear for school use or for those who want to play in their own backyard. “We (have) price (packages) to include the umpires who will oversee the games,” he said.

At present, Bughao is looking for potential sites for closed quarter battle activities within the Lahug area as part of his expansion plans.

Weboss is also planning to set up battle sites in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod and Bohol within the year.

Source URL: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/it-manager-finds-good-business-battle-games