A salute to seven young entrepreneurs

The third of Mild 7’s series of "Most Seven" events was recently held at Il Ponticello Café Ristorante in Valero street in Makati.

Set against a backdrop of white drapes and soft lights, the restaurant provided a relaxing mood for Manila’s party circuit while house music played in the background. Free-flowing red and white wine from Rene Barbier kept the attendees in high spirits all night and a lighted photo gallery was unveiled to highlight the evening.

This Most Successful Seven theme party was a celebration of seven of Manila’s hot young entrepreneurs: Amina Aranaz for Aranaz bags; Anne Arcenas Gonzalez for Havaianas; Chi Chi Atienza for Nullah, Derrick Chiongbian for Holy Kettle Corn; Eileen Grey for The Picture Company, JP Tanchanco for Chimara; and Tina Trillana-Lagdameo for Go Nuts Donuts.

This year’s "Most Seven" party series takes off from last year’s well-received seven-party concept but this time with Mild Seven at the helm. Each event salutes seven individuals who have made a mark in their respective fields via a special unveiling of photo exhibits by photographer Raymund Isaac with make-up by Shu Uemura and murals by Epson.

Let’s check out the advice from the most successful young entrepreneurs in the business:

Amina Aranaz for Aranaz Bags

YOUNGSTAR: Define success

Success is subjective. It is measured on a case-to-case basis. Since our long-time dream was to open our own boutique, then in that respect we were successful. But the dreaming never stops. Now, on to our next goal.

Any advice to other aspiring young business people?

Be passionate, keep dreaming, be always committed, love what you do, be honest.

What can we expect from your business in five years?

Definitely operating on a larger scale. Hopefully being able to penetrate international markets with our own designs and brand.

Anne Arcenas Gonzalez for Havaianas

Define success

Success means doing the things you love the most with and for the people you love. The financial gain and recognition you get out of it is just a bonus.

Any advice for other aspiring young business people?

Be original, think out of the box, be passionate, and never compromise your principles.

What can we expect from your business in five years?

I imagine that our business would have expanded significantly and envision the company to carry other cutting-edge brands from various industries. I also hope that by then we will have our own products to export to the international market.

Chi Chi Atienza for Nullah

Define success

Dreams are never-ending thus success, for me, is being able to live the life that you are meant to live, and that is, doing things that you are passionate about while contributing something good in this lifetime.

Any advice for other aspiring young business people?

Pray and work... Ask Him to lead you to what you ought to do... then do not be sluggish to do the job that is being presented to you.

What can we expect from your business in five years?

We want it to grow more, perhaps have more "lucrative" branches, but that will all depend on God’s special plan for the store... eventually perhaps become an international brand :)

Derrick Chiongbian of Holy Kettle Corn

Define success

Success is attaining all your goals whether big or small, personal or financial.

Any advice for other young aspiring business people?

All the things our parents taught us, hard work, diligence but more importantly, resilience is always going to be important. In this day and age when everything is hyper-competitive, ideas are a dime a dozen. Even if 10 of your "ideas of the century" fail, don’t be disheartened. Just keep trying because the next idea might be the one.

Where do you see you business in five years?

International.

Eileen Grey of The Picture Company

Define success

Success is doing something you are passionate about, doing things you love to do and making a difference in the world.

Any advice for other aspiring young business people?

Advance confidently in the direction of your dreams. Do not let small minds bring down your big ideas. You were born to succeed. Allow God to move you on the direction of your purpose. Keep listening.

Where do you see your business in five years?

Creating more fun portraits and happy customers all over the world. Innovating. Sharing our success with our team members.

JP Tanchanco of Chimara

Define success

Success is a state of personal consciousness. A successful person is someone who exudes a successful mental attitude in everything he does.

Any advice to other aspiring young business people?

• Dream – Paint a picture of your dream in your mind.

• Ready, fire, aim – usually we Ready, Aim and Fire … Sometimes if we keep on aiming we won’t be able to have the opportunity to fire.

• Heart – Your heart must be in your work.

• Imagination – Use your imagination because there is no limit to what we can imagine.

• Continuous improvement — If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you always gotten.

Where do you see your business in five years?

I see Chimara opening branches overseas.

Tina Trillana Lagdameo of Go Nuts Donuts

Define success

It’s maintaining a balance of various aspects in one’s life mainly: family, friends, business and personal relationship with God.

Any advice to other young aspiring business people?

Look for something you’re passionate about. When you do, don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty. There’s nothing like knowing the ins and outs of your business.

Where do you see your business in five years?

I hope to see Go Nuts Donuts in other Asian countries.