What makes entrepreneurs tick

I decided to get back into writing. I used to write a sports and lifestyle column for this paper in the mid nineties, so this is a reunion of sorts for me.  But this time I wanted to write a column on something totally different, a new advocacy of mine, encouraging entrepreneurship.

I wanted to write about what makes entrepreneurs tick, what convinces them to make the leap of faith. The difference is that I didn’t want to write about the giants of the industry or the icons of the field. I want to share with you stories of ordinary people that plunge into it and how they made it successful. What were their struggles, worries and concerns? How did they conceive their plans? What do they share in common with others? Most of all, I want to discuss the continuing quest, and struggle to make it. In other words, I want to share how we can all take one step up.

I started my first business selling hotdogs. Yes hotdogs. I was 21, in school, and I wanted to do something to earn a little extra money. I approached a good friend, and between us, we scraped together 10 thousand pesos. We used five thousand pesos to design a stand, two thousand for utensils , and the balance for purchasing the ingredients, etc.. We named it “TechnoDog”.  It was my first real foray into entrepreneurship. (Not counting my tendency to sell my toys or my brother’s toys at the age of seven, at least that’s what my mom tells me. )

I always take great interest when I listen to entrepreneurs tell their story. I remember Steve Benitez when he only has one kiosk beside Rustan’s at the Ayala Center. It was named the Coffee Club then. Who knew that it would mushroom to what it is now, the largest homegrown coffee chain in the Philippines. But everybody knows Steve’s story. If you don’t, I recommend you seek him out and listen. But do we know the story of people like Jon Ramos, who learned business as a young trader in Carbon Market. Today, he is one of the most successful financial planners in Cebu. Or Michelle Yu, who transformed a simple kiosk selling shirts into the value boutique that is The Off Price Store. Or one of the best stories is of Tess Albulario of Levi’s fame and Melanie Ng, who turned a hobby into business, the famous Premium Concepts. These two women are an inspiration to many  out there about following your dreams.

An old Chinese proverb says “The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones”. Join me as I debut this weekly column on starting entrepreneurship. Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, Lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

For comments, suggestions or stories that you want to share, email me at [email protected].