Can’t find a job? Be your own boss

Author Israel M. Kirzner once wrote, "Entrepreneurship does not consist of grasping a free 10-dollar bill which one has already discovered to be resting in one’s hand; it consists in realizing that it is in one’s hand and that it is available for the grasping." I think this is the best way to show what makes an entrepreneur, well, an entrepreneur. It’s about realizing an opportunity, seizing it, and using it to one’s greatest advantage while serving the needs of others.

Now more than ever, we need to make this realization as John Gokongwei Jr. has emphasized over the years. Every time this tycoon delivers a commencement address, he never forgets to urge fresh grads to join the ranks of business makers in the country. This is because it’s no longer an option, it’s a necessity. Year after year, an increasing number of graduates join the country’s workforce. Yet year after year, the country falls short of job creation. The only answer to this problem, so Gokongwei has always stressed, is for one to put up his/her business, thereby creating employment opportunities for others. It’s practically the best way to help oneself while helping someone else.

Fortunately, these days, many have come to realize this – both men and women. That’s right, women. While entrepreneurship was once considered a male enclave, women are now stepping up the corporate ladder, becoming presidents of their own firms – be it a small, medium or large-scale enterprise.

According to a study conducted by Bet H. Roffey from the School of Commerce in The Flinders University of South Australia, Filipina executives have taken critical corporate roles. That is to say, they lead, direct, control, and plan. More, they have also been shown to possess similar qualities as those of the conventional Western management theory and research. By this, Bet Roffey meant that Filipina business leaders have displayed effective coordination as well as planning and resource allocation. However, the methods by which these qualities are shown are greatly influenced by the culture that surrounds them. Nonetheless, it has been recognized that more and more women are becoming involved enterprise-wise. Perhaps, it’s because of the opportunities. Perhaps, it stems from a necessity – a need to make a living for the family. Or perhaps, it’s because of the availability of training and education to support this endeavor. Recently, there have been a number of workshops and schools for the aspiring entrepreneur. Of these, Miriam College’s program stands among those on top.

With 78 years of experience in the academe, Miriam College is one of the first to be granted full autonomy by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the NCR region. Formerly known as Maryknoll College, Miriam is committed to quality education. It boasts a liberal arts program, which is enriched with Christian values including truth, justice, peace, and integrity of creation. It has also been recognized for its other curricula, such as accountancy, business administration, child development and education, international studies, communication arts, psychology, environmental planning and management, computer technology and, now, entrepreneurship.

The school’s entrepreneurship program is chaired and developed by Dr. Antonio Lopez, recipient of the Best Entrepreneurship Educator of the Philippines award presented by the Entrepreneurship Educators’ Association of the Philippines. Having been with Miriam College for 12 years, Dr. Lopez was the former general manager for International trade of Phil-Europe Integrated Development Corporation. He was also an independent export trader, supplying handicraft products to Macy’s in New York and JC Penny in Texas. He is currently involved in a family-owned establishment that’s into business entrepreneurship and manpower development program, the Universal Technology Training Centre. Adding to his academic responsibilities, Dr. Lopez is also a professor for the MBA program at the Philippine School of Business Administration as well as the MBA and MPA programs at the House of Representatives. On top of all this, he sits as board director of the Entrepreneurship Educators Association of the Philippines, president of the Council of Doctors in Business Administration, and general manager of the Miriam College Credit Cooperative.

Established in 1998, the school’s Bachelor of Science degree in Entrepreneurship focuses on molding young women into efficient and successful entrepreneurs, mostly through the development of small-scale and medium-scale businesses. Costing roughly P31,000 per semester, this program walks the students through the various stages of business development, starting with the identification of the opportunity down to the establishment of a firm and to securing its stability and success. More, it aims to keep its students motivated amid the challenges that confront the entrepreneur.

Lasting for four years, the first year of this entrepreneurial course is dedicated to learning general subjects. Afterwards, the succeeding three years are devoted to major subjects of the said degree. In addition, case studies and problem-oriented teaching methods are utilized to simulate actual business situations in class. Apart from the majors, students are also expected to complete 10 units of compulsory business practical training subjects while taking the course.

This practical training leads to activities that provide students with insight, know-how, and skill to take on the business world foursquare. With regard to this, Miriam College has forged partnerships with various institutions, both here and abroad. Among its local partners are Center for Culinary Arts (CCA) Manila, Philippines Trade Training Center (PTTC), Production Development and Design Center (PDDCP), Bureau of Domestic Trade and Promotion (BDTP) and Center for International Trade Expositions and Mission (CITEM). Its overseas partners include US-based schools University of Delaware and Centenary College, New Jersey. Indeed, the training is rigorous and intensive, a good way to ensure that the student-turned-businesswoman can step out of the classroom with her head held up high. In fact, the school has had quite a number of successes and I met five of them, all of whom swear to the program’s reliability and wonders while giving insights on the entrepreneurial side of life.

Twenty-five-year-old Cristina Lazaro, owner/manager of the Lara Family Shoe Corporation, affirms that Miriam College’s Entrepreneurship program is something any aspiring businesswoman should consider because of its extensive curriculum and hands-on approach. In addition, it helps one find out exactly what s/he wants after college. In joining the program though, the student should expect to get into a lot of activities, including product development, which, apart from creating the product itself, also includes working with a designer.

Despite the rigorous training and tight schedule the program entails though, Mona Liealee, 25, says that one can definitely tackle the program with a little help from time management.

Meanwhile, as an accomplished entrepreneur, she points out that it is important to maintain a positive outlook no matter what the situation presented to you is. This is because as the big boss, you have the responsibility to look after your employees and suppliers. More, one must remain focused at all times.

On the other hand, Jan Viray, only 22 and the proud owner of Synergy Printing, believes that entrepreneurship is essentially about being equipped with creativity as well as choosing to innovate, rather than to imitate. As for the makings of a successful entrepreneur, she says that it is of prime importance to learn to relate with others and have good social skills. Leadership skills are also of utmost importance.

Fresh grad Pia Remata, recipient of the Ten Inspirational Entrepreneurial Students Award (TIES), ventured into business at the young age of 20, opening the Barakofi coffee shop. The coffee shop serves up brews made of purely Filipino ingredients. Pia says she owes her business success to three entrepreneurial principles: strong conviction, positive outlook, and innovativeness. She adds that owning your own business made her realize what she truly wanted in life while allowing herself to grow.

Another TIES’ winner, 22-year-old Pamela Sy shares this top tip with all aspiring entrepreneurs out there: stay focused and love what you do. This current managing director of Eventhold Inc. believes that if one loves what s/he does, money will simply follow. She believes that the difference between female and male entrepreneurs lies only in one’s own personality, instinct, and the nature of business one is involved in.

Now that you’ve heard million-dollar words of wisdom straight from the mouths of successful entrepreneurs, perhaps it’s time you started checking out the potentials for your own future in business. Let Miriam College help you via its entrepreneurial course. Call 580-5400 to 29 or visit www.mc.edu.ph.