Happy new year to all the Filipino-Chinese entrepreneurs! The Year of the Rabbit should be a great year. For those whose signs don’t match the rabbit, I always believe we just have to work harder. Fortunes are not made by fortune tellers or geomancers; they just predict how the year would be. The rest is up to destiny, our attitude towards life (hard work, passion, and perseverance), skills and — the biggest of them all — prayer.

Last Saturday, we were invited by Boy Reyno to attend Willie’s 50th birthday. Normally, my wife would try to keep a low profile and avoid events like this, but turning half a century old does not happen all the time. Willie is now an entrepreneur, after becoming partners with Boy Reyno (who is a good friend) and Boss Vic (who is the manager of one of our endorsers – Sarah Geromino).

While waiting for Willie to come out in his surprise birthday and program, which he said he knew way in advance, I had the privilege of being seated beside Vice President Binay. He attended our Youth Entrepreneurship Summit last year and he told me that he has seen the success of Go Negosyo. I mentioned to him that he won on the platform of being pro-poor and told him he should continue with that program.

As mayor of Makati, VP Binay’s pro-poor programs led to his popularity and allowed his family to continue on with these programs. He has the same plans as housing czar, being the Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordination Council and Chair of the Home Development Mutual (Pag-IBIG) Fund. He would like to see the poor own their own homes and will find a way to subsidize a portion of the interest rate.

Going back, Willie’s story is definitely a rags-to-riches story. He is now a partner of TV5, co-producing his own show with them. Even Go Negosyo Trustee Atty. Gozon told me that he is very happy that Willie’s show is doing well, since it has affected ABS-CBN more and has now made GMA7 number one nationwide.

Indeed, despite adversities in life, it is all about how we turn it into something great by always having that positive attitude.

In my previous columns and speaking engagements, I always mention the importance of maintaining a balanced life. As entrepreneurs, we oftentimes take for granted our physical health. But, entrepreneur or not, one should come up with an immediate resolution for a balanced lifestyle.

Speaking of physical health, we would like to invite all marathon-enthusiasts (and those who would like to try) to the Condura Skyway Marathon “RUN for the Dolphins” 2011 on Feb. 6. lead by founder and Chief Event Officer Ton Concepcion, the marathon does not only advocate for a healthy and active lifestyle. It also aims to help protect the dolphins of Baclayon, Bohol. In fact, this yearly marathon has helped in increasing the awareness and concern of runners and the public in general toward the marine environment.

My cousin, the enterprising Ton Concepcion, used the powerful brand “negosyo” and came out with Condura Negosyo Ref that is now the country’s number one refrigerator. We both love the ocean and have similar interests in diving. Many of our beautiful ocean reefs are located in Batangas, Palawan and in the Visayas area. Dolphins and whales should definitely be protected.

This run is to create greater awareness for these sea creatures that we all love to see when we dive. I myself as an entrepreneur try to keep fit. But, I have not joined the Condura Run not because I can’t finish a 10k run or even a 5k run. It’s just that I can’t wake up that early to run. I join as a spectator and I can attest that it is one of the most organized and fun-filled runs.

The Condura Run will hit close to 14 thousand participants – double the number last year. It is in fact the only run allowed in the skyway. Let’s run to preserve our reefs and beaches where sea creatures love to play. We have 7,100 islands to protect!

After the success of our five Go Negosyo books, I feel the need for a book on how to raise kids to be enterprising or entrepreneurial. We believe in starting them young, with the guidance and mentorship of parents and teachers. We are proud to present the newest addition to our publication, the “GO NEGOSYO: 8 SIMPLE SECRETS TO RAISING ENTREPRENEURS” authored by Mary Joy Canon-Abaquin. This is one of the best gifts we can give parents and educators.

The “8 Simple Secrets to Raising Entrepreneurs” book will be presenting concepts and a simple formula for parents and educators to help children to not only develop an entrepreneurial mind, but also acquire the success factor. It further strengthens and supports our movement towards raising more entrepreneurial and enterprising Filipinos for a better and brighter future. As many of our entrepreneurs have mentioned, a person is never too old or too young to start as an entrepreneur.

“GO NEGOSYO: 8 SIMPLE SECRETS TO RAISING ENTREPRENEURS” will be available in National Book Store and all leading bookstores starting this week. We would like to invite the readers of our books and my columns to join us in our book launch on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. in National Book Store Rockwell. Grab a book and have it signed by the author and the Go Negosyo entrepreneurs.

Contact me: feedback@gonegosyo.net or Joey Concepcion Facebook account. Visit www.gonegosyo.net. Watch the top rating GO NEGOSYO: Kaya Mo! In QTV, Saturday and Sunday 8 to 8:30 a.m., with replays in NBN every Tuesday 8 to 9 p.m. Get daily Go Negosyo Text Tips in your mobile phone by sending GONEGO to 2910.