Family memories fuel entrepreneurial success

MANILA, Philippines - Challenges and difficulties bring out the best in people. The problem you have today can lead you to discovering your strengths and great opportunities in life and in business, just like Anton Diaz ,the man behind the renowned “Our Awesome Planet” (OAP) blog. After almost going bankrupt when he left his high-paying job to pursue his passion, Anton learned how to become a successful entrepreneur by focusing on what he loves and sharing it with the world.

Anton Diaz started Our Awesome Planet in 2005 when the art of blogging was still new, with the intention of creating a family blog. He wanted to document his children’s childhood and their family adventures so his sons could relive them even when they’re all grown up.

“At the onset, the only thing on my mind is to write for my newborn son, Aidan, a little bit of his parents’ history and his childhood days.”

He also enjoys sharing with people his family’s experiences in amazing destinations in the country and the great finds they come across in their travels.

After two years, the family blog has been discovered by thousands, who found out through word of mouth. Anton claims the amount of visitors grew “because of our family’s passion to discover new restaurants and new places to experience around the Philippines.”

Our Awesome Planet is now on its 5th year and it has more than 8,000 readers from all over the globe. It also gets more than 20,000 hits a day and it’s still growing.

But the biggest challenge in Anton’s journey was in 2008 when he made the decision to quit his regular job and do blogging full time. Anton, who then worked as chief information officer for P&G Philippines, says that “to pursue a life of eating out, traveling and becoming an entrepreneur takes a lot of courage because I have to walk away from all these perks.”

He recalls, “It was hard and I just realized it when we were living on savings and seeing it deplete to the point of bankruptcy in early 2009.”

For the father of three, that low point was also the moment when he started to learn how to be an entrepreneur. “I realized that I needed to create multiple passive income streams that recur monthly. I needed to focus my time and efforts in generating income as I have a family to feed too.”

But just like before, it’s never really about the money for Anton. “I realized that the formula for entrepreneurial success is having faith in the Lord, being fortunate to have a supportive and loving wife, surrounding yourself with successful mentors and peers, and making use of your God-given talents and strengths to fulfill your destiny.”

Our Awesome Planet has brought success and even fame for Anton, but what he really hopes for is that his journey will inspire people to strive hard and be the best they can be.

“In the end, if I don’t become famous, as long as I know that I left this world little better, I think I’ve made my mark.”

Anton Diaz plans to continue sharing his dreams and the beauty of the Philippines to the world through Our Awesome Planet. Just like what he intended for his kids, he wants OAP to help readers grow true love for the Philippines by exposing them to great Filipinos and the beauty of our country.

He also aims to instill in them an entrepreneurial lifestyle as it is the key to helping the Philippines become a first world country.

On Sept. 27, Go Negosyo will be recognizing Anton Diaz as one of the Go Negosyo Inspiring Young Filipino Entrepreneurs in the 2010 Youth Entrepreneurship Summit at the World Trade Center, Pasay City. The award will be presented by Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion along with the Go Negosyo Trustees.

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The theme of the Go Negosyo Youth Summit is centered on reinforcing the entrepreneurial spirit of the Filipino youth by enjoining them to develop a positive change in their mindset and empowering them with relevant entrepreneurship tools and concepts. Go Negosyo shall present enriching forums with inspiring entrepreneurs and speakers like Mr. Francis Kong and Bro. Bo Sanchez. There will be over 250 booths and exhibitors, showcasing different products and services that also present business ideas and opportunities to attendees. Negosyo mentoring will also be available for free.

Go Negosyo encourages the Filipino youth to take advantage of the one day summit, to learn and experience the exciting world of entrepreneurship. The Summit is open to the public for free.

The Go Negosyo Youth Entrepreneurship Summit is presented by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship – Go Negosyo and the Department of Trade and Industry, in partnership with PLDT SME Nation, Smart, RFM, BPI Ka Negosyo, Mang Inasal, Nokia, Citi, Alo Youth, Vitwater, Rexona, Creamsilk, ATR Kim Eng, R.A. Gapuz Review Center, Condura, National Bookstore,  THE PHILIPPINE STAR, GMA 7, QTV, Folded & Hung, Ever Bilena, BDO, Splash. Belo Med, Bank of Singapore and V Cargo. Institutional partners are Phil. Franchise Association, Asociation of Filipino Franchisers, PCCI, Filipino Chinese Business Club, Alumni Association of AIM, World Trade Center, DepEd and CHED.