Student entrepreneurs realize business ventures in trade fair

CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Carlos unveiled to young entrepreneurs a real exposure to the world of business far beyond what they have learned from the four walls of their classrooms as the Business Administration Trade Fair opened at the Ayala Activity Center recently.

The USC College of Commerce, in partnership with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente and Ayala Center Cebu, showcased during the fair the various businesses that their students have ventured into in line with their practicum program.

Apolonio Dedamo, the organizer of the activity and the Chairman of the Business Administration Department of USC, said the activity is a very fitting venue for young entrepreneurs to put into practice the theories that they have learned in school.

Dedamo said that as “young entrepreneurs who have the zest for entrepreneurship and the vitality in doing so” the fair would be a good opportunity for them to showcase their skills in doing business and also to show off the business that they have started.

“Their innovative business concepts have captured the vision of entrepreneurship where they are able to contribute positively to society giving witness to USC’s vision to develop competent and socially responsible professionals.

More than 15 booths showcased their products during the Entrepreneurship Fair.

All the exhibitors are Business Administration students who are enrolled in Marketing and Entrepreneurship programs who are complying with their courses’ requirements to come up with their own businesses and operate it for one school year before they graduate.

Before which, the students have presented their feasibility study in products or services that they wish to venture into.

One of the business experts who had the chance to share his expertise in the field to the student entrepreneurs was The Freeman business columnist Chris Tio.

Tio said that the fair was a good way for the students to learn more on their chosen field of endeavor and where they could practice the theories they have learned in school.

He said that this would be a good way for the students to be motivated to pursue the practice even after graduation which would be a big help to boost employment as well as help with the country’s economy.

Tio also shared that this was one way for the students to learn to always think of the passion for the business they have entered into. He said that this could already be noted in the students through the ideas that they have come up with for their projects, which some are totally unique and impressive.

“This is one good way of developing the culture of entrepreneurship especially to young students like them whose good ideas you could already see and the interest have gone even beyond the requirements of the course,” he added.

Tio also said that the students should be taught on the presence of failures in businesses and how it should be handled. The Concept of constructive failure, Tio explained should be explained to them. He said that the failure is a component in the businesses and there is a need to fail in order to try twice harder to succeed.

Other speakers during the event were Edwin Ortiz, Emmanuel Tesalona, Rodrigo Go Tanedo, Philip Tan and Rey Calooy.