When you ask any Filipino if they want to get rich, they will all nod and say "yes". But how do you get rich? Filipinos are booming and 14 Filipinos are on the list of billionaires around the world.
We are familiar with "rags-to-riches" or from difficult stories. Not all the rich are also born rich, many of them come from poverty. In fact, many entrepreneurs are struggling and their hardship has pushed them to work hard and achieve what they have achieved today.
Here is the story of five businessmen in the Philippines who are full of inspiration and their motivation behind their successful business:
Henry Sy is the richest man in the Philippines. Sy owns SM Group, BDO, and China Bank.
There is nothing difficult about a dreamer
At the young age of 12, young Henry Sy came to Manila to help with his father's sari-sari store business. But during the afternoon, the war destroyed their two stores. His father was very upset and decided to return to China.
Young Henry Sy continued his adventure in Manila and set up his own business and sold shoes in a small stall near Quiapo. From the income he was able to build a department store until we know SM. Henry Sy is the richest in the country and the owner of BDO and Chinabank.
From the rich, the poor, the industrious to the rich again the story of John Gokongwei Jr.
Rich-poor-rich again
John Gokongwe, Jr. is just 13 years old. of the death of his father. As a result, they lost almost everything in their family - home, car, and business. The former rich man experienced hardship and his friends avoided John. Because of a lack of money, John had to stop studying and work to support his mother and siblings.
He sells markets in Cebu and sells anything he can sell with his bicycle. He grew his business and sold in Manila. The young Gokongwei persevered and entered the importation until he also built the mall we now know as Robinson. Gokongwei also owns Universal Robina and Cebu Pacific.
From being the guard to the owner of the book shop - that's Socorro Ramos, the founder of the National Bookstore.
Never say die!
But this is the word of mouth for Ginebra fans, it also seems to be the motto in the life of Socorro Ramos. From being the custodian of a book store in Escolta, Socorro built his own store after getting married. Since it was just beginning, Socorro was all working in the store from selling to cleaning at night.
But destiny was cruel and his store burned down during the war. Socorro was not discouraged and they rebuilt a new store and increased what they could sell like cheaper textbooks. Today the National Bookstore is a popular store of office and school supplies and books.
How much will your 100 pesos be?
Small capital is not a barrier to growing a business. Mariano Que was working in a pharmacy when he saw the need for sulfa drugs after the war. Sulfa drugs are used to prevent infection. For 100 pesos and his knowledge of medicines, he sold medicine to the poor. Gradually his business grew until he built Mercury Drug, the largest pharmacy in the country.
That is not age
Most of us, when we reach the age of 50, it is time to retire. But this is not what Julie Gandiongco had in mind. Julie is a typical housewife who takes care of children and sews to earn extra money in addition to expenses.
Her husband suddenly resigned from her job to focus on her farm in Dumaguete. But it was not lucky and they also lost the farm. Julie knew that her income from sewing would not be enough, so she set up a canteen with an exporting company. It is difficult to make money because workers only pay on pay days.
Julie met a baker and he set up a small bakery in Cebu which he named Julie’s Bakeshop at the age of 50. The bakery became known for its delicious breads. Julie’s has spread to different parts of the country.
How to Start a Business
They say building a business is the fastest way to get rich. After all, no one is rich among the poor. To build a business, you need business idea, capital, and business knowledge. Apart from these, it is also important that you have a "driving force" or motivation to continue what you started because you need long patience until your business earns.
Here are the basic requirements for starting your own business:
Think of a business idea. Your business needs to be on the line where you are interested and
Find capital. Always think of starting a business as a "risk" and uncertainty.
Starting a business requires diligence and perseverance.
In running a business, you need a lot of patience because most businesses do not succeed immediately.
If you ever fail the first attempt at business, do not be discouraged to try again to start a new business.
