Franchising is definitely a growing sector. As we have been promoting entrepreneurship in the past 10 years, we have been pushing for a kind of enterprise that is innovative, value-adding and idea-based. We are seeing many of those new concepts flourishing around, presented usually by young and passionate entrepreneurs. As these entrepreneurs reach certain stability and growth, these concepts go to the next level and expand. If these are franchiseable concepts, they are advised on tightening and documenting their systems and procedures, so the brand and concepts can be franchised to others. They become the franchisors who are willing to spread their concepts to other areas and make use of franchisees who will operate the business branch as their own.

Recently, the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), one of Go Negosyo’s partner institutions in promoting entrepreneurship through franchising, recognized six young entrepreneurs as the “NxtGen in Franchising” finalists. This NxtGen Franchising Award ‘’seeks to promote franchising as a tool to accelerate business growth and recognize brands and businesses that can scale up through franchising.” PFA searched for the finalists all over the country and has named six young and promising enterprises including 360 Fitness Club, a fast, fun and effective alternative workout for busy young professionals; Beauty and Beyond, a skin and beauty services center that offers high quality products and excellent services at a more affordable price; BluNektar, which offers cake shakes and dreams of becoming a recognized and respected beverage chain in the country; Happy Helpers, a social enterprise that provides reliable and quality home services which at the same time provide livelihood opportunities to women living in Gawad Kalinga communities; The Paper Stone, a chic and trendy premium stationery and paper goods store that specializes in designs that delight; and lastly the top winner and named as the first NxtGen in Franchising awardee Agri, which is led by Joseph Calata. Agri is a one-stop-shop for agricultural inputs. (visit http://nextgenfranchising.org/)

Aside from the NxtGen Award, PFA also held its Franchise Excellence Awards which is the country’s first and only industry award for the franchising sector awarded to the home-grown and foreign franchisors and franchisees who showed excellence in business growth.

Along with partners PFA chair emeritus Samie Lim, Bing Limjoco, and Franklin Go, we awarded the Outstanding Filipino Franchise Awardees – Froilan Manotok franchisee of 7-11 in Taguig and Michelle Alonto, franchisee of Max’s Restaurant in Bataan.

AFFI Board with Sen. Cynthia Villar and program partners including Go Negosyo represented by Go Negosyo executive director Ramon Lopez.

We also congratulate our partners BPI Ka Negosyo and PLDT SME Nation for being awarded with the The Chairman’s Award which is given to institutions and individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth of the Philippine franchising sector, and entrepreneurship in general.

DTI undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya also graced the event. She mentioned programs of DTI which continues to empower entrepreneurs including the Negosyo Centers, Shared Service Facilities program and the SME Roving Academy. She also recognized and thanked Go Negosyo for helping in the mentoring and training of young and aspiring entrepreneurs.

We joined last week’s back-to-back events for franchising. Last Friday, the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI), also a champion partner of Go Negosyo, opened their 14th Franchise and Business Expo with over 200 business exhibitors. Companies such as Fiorgelato of Richie Cuna, Lots A Pizza of Tess Ngan Tian, Ink-All-You Can of Jerry Ilao, SeaOil of Bossing Glenn Yu, among others presented their unique business models to aspirants. Many of these concepts were mentored by franchise Angelpreneur and AFFI chairman Butz Bartolome.

One of the franchise expo’s highlights is the Business Journey which gives the aspiring entrepreneurs a quick tour of the processes and what they should know in putting up the business. There were eight stations on the Business Journey that featured key areas in entrepreneurship – from acquiring the right mindset to choosing the right business. Go Negosyo booth, manned by Angelpreneurs Carlo Calimon and Vix Madlangbayan, served as the first stop in the Business Journey to discuss the need for an enterprising mindset.

Another highlight is what they call the War Room where the real mentoring happens. Go Negosyo executive director Mon Lopez likewise joined the forum on entrepreneurship start-up challenges, together with chairman Butz, and other entrepreneurs. The panelists also gave advice to the aspiring entrepreneurs in the audience.

Shiv Hiranand, son of my friend Haresh, had his own new concept called Pizzacle, or a pizza that is shaped like a popsicle. It’s a very unique concept that was just recently introduced in the market. This business was closely mentored by one of Go Negosyo’s Angelpreneurs Jorge Wieneke, of Tokyo Tempura.

Sen. Cynthia Villar, who gave the keynote address in the opening ceremony, shared the growing entrepreneurship force while citing challenges like on SME financing. She also mentioned the initiatives of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to promote microfinancing.

Philippines is definitely the Franchise Hub of Asia as we see the growing number of franchisors and franchisees in the country. Go Negosyo with the partners PFA and AFFI will continue to promote franchising as a viable option for aspiring and young entrepreneurs.

We invite everyone to watch our Negosyo Talks: Meet the Presidentiables Series. The first part of the series will be with Vice President Jojo Binay to be televised on Oct. 9, 4:15-6:15 p.m. on TV5.