I was honored to share the ASEAN Business Advisory Council’s mission of bringing prosperity for all across all sectors in the region. Right before the ASEAN Business Awards, I was invited to impart the 3Ms to the women entrepreneurs who attended the ASEAN Women Business Conference. During my talk, I shared the importance of Mentorship, Money and Market, which we all think will help micro and small entrepreneurs to scale up.

While money and market are equally important, for me, mentorship is the most powerful tool that can help MSMEs gain business acumen from mentors and business experts. Mentorship guides the micro and small entrepreneurs and also the young entrepreneurs.

I shared personal wisdom with young entrepreneurs who actively participated in the ASEAN Youth Carnival. I shared my own story — of how I started my business at 19, how I was mentored by my father, and how creativity and passion can lead young individuals like them to success.

The goal of prosperity for all will be achieved if we exercise inclusivity. Medium and large corporations can include micro and small entrepreneurs in their supply chain by adopting an inclusive business model. This is why I reminded the delegates of the ASEAN Inclusive Business Summit that we need to continuously promote inclusivity amongst the business community.

Here are some highlights to these three successful Department of Trade and Industry-led summits.