Believing in the power of relationships

MANILA, Philippines - “Take away the ‘people factor’, then business will be very boring.” These are the words that 2013 MVP Grand Bossing awardee Bernie Liu live by.

Although he initially dreamed of becoming an architect, this Bossing found his calling in entrepreneurship. After 27 years, Golden ABC Inc. is now one of the biggest fashion retail companies in the country with clothing and accessory lines under a family of popular brands Penshoppe, Oxygen, ForMe, Memo, Regatta, Tyler and direct selling subsidiary Red Logo.

Recently, Liu bested over 300 nominees to earn the title “Grand Bossing” in the 2013 MVP Bossing Awards organized by PLDT SME Nation. The MVP Bossing Award is given to outstanding entrepreneurs who exemplify good corporate citizenship and have a track record of success. On its third year, 12 stellar business leaders representing a wide range of industries were awarded the coveted title, “Bossing”.

During the awarding rites, PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan pointed out that, “running a business is all about hard work, dedication, passion, blood, and not taking any shortcuts.” Exemplifying these qualities, Liu stood out above the rest and was given the top award.

“Liu is the third of many Grand Bossings to come and this is one step toward the direction of a culture of entrepreneurship, which PLDT SME Nation hopes to achieve in the country,” says Kat Luna-Abelarde, vice president and head of SME Business.

A solid foundation

Taking his cue from his family, who ran a number of businesses, one of which is in garments, Liu started Golden ABC with the vision of being the most admired Asian fashion brands company. Golden ABC started in Cebu in 1986, right after the People Power Revolution. The company has since grown, operating and managing over 600 stores nationwide.

Despite his success, Liu remains a humble spirit who remembers his roots and recognizes the people who have helped him along the way. He attributes his success to perseverance, innovation and most importantly, his love for people.

“Business is all about people.” These are the words that Liu’s father left him. As the president and CEO of his company, he has always heeded this.  “I am very blessed to have a good team, a team that is very open-minded and progressive. I wouldn’t have done this without the right people,” he shares.

One store at a time

After more than two decades in the industry, Liu recognizes the importance of prudence and taking things one step at a time. “When people ask me how I put up 600 stores, I say to them ‘one store at a time,’” he quips.

The company is now aggressively expanding outside the Philippines, with several Penshoppe stores in the Middle East and it targets to open at least 150 Penshoppe locations all across Indonesia within the next 10 years.  The first two Penshoppe stores already opened in Jakarta including a 476-square meter flagship store. “Our goal is to plant the Philippine flag in as many countries as we can,” Liu shares. He believes that local Filipino brands are as good as any foreign brand. He is pushing for the company’s “pursuit of global penetration and presence.”

The power of information

Liu is as generous as he is wise, advising that “we are living on borrowed time.” Living by the Parable of the Talents, he believes in responsible management of entrusted resources and encourages others to nurture the resources that they have been given.

”These resources are not ours, we have to share them with our children, and hand these down in better condition than when we received them,” he says.

To do this, communication is the key for Liu. “Having the right people is just the first step. This must be supported by access to information at the right time,” he shares. He is thankful for technology as it allows him not only to run his business with ease, but to communicate and teach others.

Setting aside the glitz and glamour of the fashion industry, the most important thing for Liu is to impart the values of love, faith and knowledge, which he calls “gifts,” to his children. These values have kept him grounded through his success.

 â€œI hope to embed these three gifts to my children – they are grounded on faith, they are grounded on the goodness of people and they have the knowledge to do what they think is right. From there, I hope they grow up to be good citizens and good people,” he concludes.