Founding and running a family business is a tricky difficult task

Ateneo Professor on Entrepreneurship

Rizal Philippines
October 3, 2018

Today marks the birthday of my late mother.  Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit the  office of the business/es I founded 35 years ago.   All the employees are strangers to me, and clearly marked on the wall was my mother as the founder.  At the wall of the  lounge were the picture of two of my siblings and two outsider as the brains behind the  company.

No wonder the family business group of Ateneo Loyola is raking in not to mention Prof Ricky Mercado of Red Ribbon group who pioneered on this venture:   managing family business

Some facts to be straightened.

1.  It was my vision to put up this group:  banking real estate empire to make the family, my parents and
     my brothers and sister stand out in the community in terms of assets, role in community development, and
     achievement.

2.  So I executed the founding and running of a savings and loan association, having the SLA invest
     in real estate company to take on development of 7 hectare property right at the heart of our town,
    and eventually putting up a commercial complex.

3.  I masterminded the development and execution of 11 subdivision projects, 11 memorial parks,  1 water company, a memorial foundation, 2 financing companies.  At our height of operation, we made 80 million in net in a year, and had assets of over half a billion.  We were nearly sequestered because my mother a lavandera before and high school graduate, and my father a humble govt employee, could not  have established all of these, without being associated with the dictator and the First Lady (we were not)

    Just a typical hard working hard driving, vision driven entrepreneur

4.  During those times while I was doing this founding of business, my siblings were not even in college yet
They were carefree kids, and the two others were abroad.  My father who is a govt employee, did not participate in the business.  My mother hardly went to the office.  I did all the work.

She was mostly in the casino enjoying her wealth and /or was in the US visiting my sister

5.  But to build her name, I made sure she was recognized as the matriarch (wrong humility)

6.  When my father died in 1985, I continued building the business and the group continued to prosper.
     Other heirs lost it when the guidance of the father was lost.

7. 10 years ago, when my mother died and the heirs got their share (as directed by my parents in their will)
    they promptly got me out of the  corporation:  sequestered my money in the financing company, did not pay my separation pay,  and got all the fruits of the  crematorium of which I was the principal stockholder . I did not have FS reports and most especially share of the net income (dividends)

Jollibee I heard pays P200,000+ on rental of  the building, the chapels over P800,000 on rentals alone

And now I see all things that dishonor my accomplishments.   Ok na rin.  At least di tricycle drivers ang mga kapatid ko at may ipagmamalaki

Ano palagay ninyo, mga parents ko nagpamana ng mga kabuhayang tinatamasa ng kapatid ko.
Ang kabuhayan ng magulang ko nang simulan kong palaguin kabuhayan nila ang 400 sm na lupa at 200 sm na bahay sa Capt  Blas St.

Lahat ng ibang property na nabili nila galing sa katas ng mga negosyong itinayo ko.  My parents could not have thought of the business I founded.  

Factors Paper by Leia Pichay

Leia Lizette R. Pichay

SPENTREP

July 30, 2012

Factors I possess that make me a Business Entrepreneur

Since I was a kid, my cousins and I love to play and pretend that we are owners of a mall.  I would usually be the one handling the money or doing the sales for the store.  In high school, I started to have small business ventures.  I sold ballpens that I decorate with ribbons, furs and other colorful stuff to make it unique when was in first year.  Then in second year to fourth year, I was engrossed in baking and experimenting on recipes just by reading cookbooks and watching TV shows. I sold different pastries like blueberry cheesecake and butterscotch to my schoolmates.  I earned some amount that helped me buy the things that I need and want like clothes and accessories.  From that moment, I dreamed of becoming a businesswoman.

To help me in my dream to become a businesswoman, I went to Ateneo de Manila University and took a course that would help me in Management and Business.  Upon graduation, I worked asan employee in Security Bank Cards for five years.  Now, I work for our family enterprise, Celsus Pharmaceuticals Philippines, Inc.  On the side, I have an events management company that handles event coordination for weddings and debuts.  I also join bazaars

and had been an exhibitor in the Franchise Expo 2012 for the livelihood project I have which is TATAK LANUZA AGSAM CRAFTS. 

From my studies and work experiences, I can say that I have the qualities thatpossess a business entrepreneur.  Also, based from the checklist that I saw in the Internet, I believe that I have the following traits / qualities:

1.   Able to do many things at once

I can multitask and able to do many things at once.  I can manage my activities and do them effectively and on time. Currently, I handle events coordination, a livelihood project in one community in Surigao and I work as an employee. 

2.   Creative and has dreams and goals

I have dreamed of becoming a businesswoman since I was a kid.  I am creative and I'm able to show my creativity in my events planning by sharing my ideas to couples from the concept of their wedding down to the littlest detail of decors for the thank you card or name cards for the tables.

3.   Is motivated by a strong desire to achieve and attain financial success

I dream to be financially stable and to have financial success for myself and my family and that keeps me motivated to work and do my best in what Ido.  Aside from the financial success, Ihave the strong desire to make others happy and to be able to share at least a little knowledge to other people.  In the long run, I want to be financially successful in order to help support a community or to set-up a social enterprise that not only I would benefit but others as well.

4.   Is a positive thinker who does not dwell on setbacks

I am able to turn the negative things into positive.  I see to it that I can still see a positive light even if I experience setbacks in life. I would not be easily defeated by the setbacks I have.  I can still focus my attention on the chances of success rather than chances of failure. There is still a smile in my face despite the sadness around. 

5.   Has strong work ethic, Disciplined and determined

I am responsible and organized when it comes to my work.   I keep track of my schedule and have a priority checklist of what to do.  When it comes to attendance, I am punctual andI desire to go to work and not make myself absent.  Even back in school I barely was late and absent.

6.   Open-minded

I am observant of things around me.  I love looking at different people,places and things.  Ideas come and go in my mind and I am open to anything around me that can help me focus on my goals.

7.   Self-starter

I am a self-starter ever since I was young.  If I see something needs to be done or repaired, I do the initiative already.  Idon't wait for people to tell me what to do and I am proactive.

Learning or assessing the traits I have, I believe that I can achieve my future goal of having my successful business.  I plan to have my own resort hotel to promote Philippine tourism.  I also want to have my own concept café and shop where I can showcase my love for our country.  With the traits and skills I have and with the support of my family and friends, I hope to be a successful entrepreneur in the years to come. 3.5  <please edit your workl;   many of the words do not have spaces in this paper and I have to edit.  thanks>