Ja! from our experience, we've been to many difficult times, even more than the happy times. but of course, nasa hilig yata yan. i have some tips though.
It has been a common perception that when we start a business, what we first think of is CAPITAL. But men, I learned that there is no real power in money, rather, in knowledge real power rests!
Hindi po ba ganun si Bill Gates? How I wish I could start from zero again. Anyway, my point is to have the knowledge first of all the different equip. Damihan mo na ang log-in time mo sa DIYaudio, Prosoundweb, Speakerplans, at of course sa PHILMusic! Minsan nga kailangan mo magbasa ng Russian at Chinese (Google translation na lang) Sa tingin ko, mas mahalaga na mabili mo ang tamang gadgets kaysa naman afterwards naririnig rinig mo lang na ito maganda yon hindi, but at the end mali pa rin ang gear na nabili mo.
sa pag gawa ng research, sinasabi nila na we need to build upon or start on the knowledge that have already been discovered by others. aalamin muna natin yon. there are comments like "marami pera at marami na ring nabili na gears, pero kahit polarity ng speakers hindi alam". Minsan hindi naiisip na mahalaga maghanap ng magaling na tech. isasali na rin yong magiging service ng gears.
After having the "correct" knowledge as to the things you want to buy, you have to draw a vision or a plan of your business. For example, you want a mobile disco but will later on will shift into live band...etc. another is if you want a Pro audio or medium quality lang. Pag Pro, doon kana sa mga RCF (dream ko na rin yong line array nila, bili na ako ng lotto ticket!!!!), QSC, Mackie, Soundcraft, (at kasali ko na rin ang mga gawa nila sir John MB series na boxes) etc. hihihi hindi ka mabibitin. pero kapag medium quality lang, the Chinese alternative brands will do. BTW, the Chinese brands are getting better and better, but you will always have "durability" issues. when it comes to gears, meron laging entry level, then mid level, then the best ones. Your plan will also set the "limit" of the budget. You have to have a limiter in your pocket men, maraming ng seaman na kinakalaban ng kanilang misis.
draft the plan, list the gears, indicate the time table kung kelan mabili. then ipakita sa mga reliable friends, and then sa different suppliers ang plan mo, and try to make a deal. Minsan, to make a direct import is reasonable.
yon lang sa akin. opinion ko lang po ito. pagkatapos noon, practice and enjoy!