One entrepreneur at a time

Last week, I had 20 senior high school students from two public schools here in Metro Manila as guests in the RFM boardroom. The visit was part of our collection of programs at Go Negosyo to strengthen entrepreneurship training among the youth. This one was called The Boardroom Experience, where we enrich students’ learning experience through direct interaction with business leaders and exposure to real-world business practices. Other CEOs have expressed their interest in hosting students at their corporate headquarters, having seen how this is no ordinary school field trip but instead, a way to give young minds a peek into the real-life business world.

Then right after, the Go Negosyo team flew to Cebu to conduct in the southern province our Youthpreneur program, where we bring top executives and mentors to the public schools to speak to the senior high school students and encourage them to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, whether in a corporate life or as founders of businesses.

The two events are such a counterpoint to the ones preceding them. Exactly a week ago, I was among the alumni of the world’s most prestigious Ivy League school. They were products of the Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management Executive Education Program (OPM), a very exclusive, very elite program reserved only for high-level executives. The program trains them to become entrepreneurial leaders with the skills to maximize their impact and take their company to the next level.

The alumni had volunteered their weekend to mentor MSMEs at our 3M on Wheels free entrepreneurship event at SM Megamall, bringing to our MSMEs the benefit of the discipline and dynamic world view that they received as training from Harvard Business School. It was a privilege to have our small entrepreneurs receive mentoring from the alumni of such a prestigious institution. It was a welcome addition to our already impressive lineup of mentors – comprising founders of namedroppable homegrown brands like Vivian Sarabia Opticals, Mango Tree, PR Gaz, Lotsa’ Pizza and so many more – which we have at Go Negosyo.

Former Ambassador Joey Antonio remarked that his fellow Harvard alumni were excited to be mentoring the MSMEs. “Many successful OPM graduates were once SMEs themselves, which is why many of them are excited to provide support and guidance to SMEs and startups,” he told my team. Our Icon Mentors – the veteran entrepreneurs who have become regulars at our mentoring events – echo the same feeling. It’s a fulfilling experience, they tell me, and one they will readily return to, given the chance.

For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of this work is witnessing the ripple effect of entrepreneurship. When an individual starts a business, they often hire other people. This contributes to their local economy and inspires those around them to pursue their own dreams. It creates a cycle of empowerment – a Circle of Success – that extends far beyond the initial investment. A nanopreneur hires an assistant, an informal business decides to register with the government and become a taxpaying entity in order to avail of bigger loans, small enterprises grow into medium businesses and need more office space – the multiplier effect of a robust MSME sector simply cannot be underestimated. This ripple effect can transform communities, break the cycle of poverty and open doors for future generations.

As for its social benefits, entrepreneurship is often hailed as a ticket to financial independence and personal fulfillment. For families, it gives economic and social mobility; the children get to pursue higher learning, and their children in turn are given more opportunities. The family lives better, and this benefit even goes to the extended families, which is very common in the Philippines.

Yet, for many, the barriers to entry can feel insurmountable. Access to capital, mentorship and resources is frequently limited to those who already possess advantages – those who have had the fortune of supportive networks, educational opportunities and financial backing. This is a reality that can perpetuate cycles of poverty and limit the potential of countless individuals eager to uplift themselves and their families.

I often reflect on the profound impact that opportunity can have on an individual’s life. Growing up, I was fortunate to have access to resources, mentorship and a supportive environment that allowed me to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. I had my father, Joecon, mentor me not just in business but in public service. I had my grandfather, my family, my peers, mentoring me by example and giving me advice. I had the time and resources to travel and open my mind to business ideas.

I recognize that many individuals may not have had the same privileges I was given. I often wonder how many great companies would have been founded had they received the same opportunities that I had. I have met some of these small entrepreneurs. They are not lacking in drive or talent. They want to succeed. Given the right circumstances, some of them could go on to found the next multibillion-peso company and employ hundreds of thousands of Filipinos.

The breadth and scope of Go Negosyo’s entrepreneurship advocacy has come a long way since its founding 19 years ago. Over the years, it has become increasingly crucial to push for impactful changes that create not just new entrepreneurs, but an environment, an ecosystem, that supports entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and ensure that they have the tools and support they need to succeed. I’m just thankful that there are today more people in the private sector and in government who have joined our cause. It’s going to take more than one person to do the job, but if we have to, we can do it, one entrepreneur at a time.