From the overwhelming success of our Go Negosyo Caravan last year, we are heading back to Cebu to share the good news of finding solutions to poverty through Negosyo. We hope to have an impact on the mindset of people and encourage them to be successful entrepreneurs. More so, to share with micro entrepreneurs how they can make their Negosyo grow and move beyond livelihood levels.

Together with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we will also be awarding Cebu’s Most Inspiring Micro Entrepreneurs and a special recognition to Marx Melencio, a very inspiring young man who got blind and yet, with his right attitude and determination, has turned his crisis into a story of success. They are the micro entrepreneurs who rose from the challenges of life, serving as role models in their own businesses.

This Cebu Caravan is only one among the many, which we aim at creating a nationwide entrepreneurial revolution by promoting an optimistic and entrepreneurial mindset among Filipinos. This is now made part of the Cebu Business month led by Tess Chan, Jay Aldeguer and Edward Gaisano.

Under our campaign “Go Negosyo, Sagot sa Kahirapan”, the Go Negosyo sa Cebu Caravan Season 2 will be on June 20, 2008 at the Cebu International Convention Center, starting at 8 a.m. This year’s caravan promises to be more informative, dynamic and inspiring, with more learning sessions in our program.

Go Negosyo Kabuhayan: Kalayaan Sa Kahirapan
Go Negosyo’s participation in the 110th Independence Day celebrations at the Luneta Park was a big success. Government agencies and private sector partners united and provided livelihood assistance with skills and entrepreneurship training.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in her keynote address, recognized the different organizations for their firm efforts in fighting poverty.

We mounted our Go Negosyo Kabuhayan: Kalayaan sa Kahirapan, a three-day service-oriented program for our kababayans offered by the Inter-agency Coordinating Committee for Micro- Small and Medium Enterprises (ICC-MSME), led by Sec. Cerge Remonde. Once again, the Go Negosyo Team worked closely with partners from government and private institutions. We offered kabuhayan services, forums, exhibits and skills training demonstrations.

There were also on-site loan processing and referrals to micro finance institutions. Over P2-million worth of loans were awarded from microfinance institutions affiliated with People’s Credit and Finance Corp. (PCFC), Small Business Corp (SBC), National Livelihood Development Corp (NLDC), Landbank, and DBP. TESDA training certificates and TRC Negosyo kits were awarded to selected negosyantes to help start their own business. Go Negosyo advocacy partners once again showed support. We thank our entrepreneur mentors lead by Paulo Tibig of V Cargo, Chinkee Tan, Jennilyn Antonio, Ed Silva of Entrepreneurs School of Asia and Go Negosyo’s Mon Lopez. Also, we thank our partners from different technical and financial institutions led by Edgar Generoso (PCFC), Ver Angeles and Benel Lagua (SBC), Lina Amata (NLDC), Alo Lacsamana (TRC), Roger Peyjuan (TESDA), Tess Fortuna (DOST), Cora Conde (Development Bank of the Philippines), DSWD Asec.Alano, Lecira Juarez of Cooperative Development Authority and reps of Planters Development Bank.

Our kabuhayan marathon proved successful and inspiring with the large crowd gathered. The Go Negosyo Team hopes to see the day when we come together again to celebrate another year of independence with most, if not all, Filipino families free from hunger and poverty.

Let me continue to share with you the last stories of entrepreneurs and their dreams for their children.

Mercedes Mejia of SLERS Industries Inc. (most inspiring Cagayan De Oro entrepreneur)

I have four children — all boys. One has graduated from college, two still in college and one in preschool. They are not alike, with different interests and passions. Knowing that they will find their passion in life, I still hope that at least one of them will pursue the businesses we have started.

My eldest son wishes to become a video editor or a movie director. There is no local school that will help him attain that goal, so he plans to go to Australia. Our local schools are too general in the subjects covered and therefore, there is little or no training to develop the skills needed. For example, a butcher in Germany trains for four to five years, also with master bread making. Even photographers or hair cutters need a two-year course so they can become competent in that field. Vocational courses should also be given more attention and development.

I see one of my children owning a business one day. One of my sons in college has an entrepreneurial mindset. He already runs a small business in his college. He also tries to buy and sell shirts.

All entrepreneurs wish their children to take after them. Unfortunately, not all our children are wired with the energy of an entrepreneur. Succession is something that we discuss with our children. Ultimately, it is passion that will determine whether or not our children will pursue business.

I advise parents to be physically present in caring for their children. They should develop their children’s values. Parents should also find ways to augment the family income so they can send their children to school.

Teresa David-Carlos of Bank of Florida (most inspiring Pampanga entrepreneur)

My eldest, Paolo, is in 2nd year college. As a parent, I would like him to become successful in his own right. As a corporate executive, I would like him to harness his full leadership potentials that he has exhibited since grade school. Just like us, I would want him to be an outstanding servant leader.

I definitely think the Philippine local schools would help attain my children’s goals. As shareholders of Mary the Queen Academy of Pampanga (MQAP) and Mary the Queen College (Pampanga) (MQCP), we have taken on the responsibility of molding our students to become good citizens and excellent servant leaders. During our parents’ 50th wedding anniversary on December 2006, my siblings and I came out with a coffee table book that chronicled the whole family’s colorful lives. It was surprising, yet pleasing to note that they foresee themselves owning their own businesses and some of them look forward to working for the family corporation. Although diverse in interests, I believe the acumen and the passion for business that is being passed on to them, coupled with the harmonious environment where they are growing, has a tremendous positive impact on their vision, success, work and life in general. Many of them, my children included, look to having their own business ventures aligned with that of the family corporation.

As an advocate of good parenting, I have come to crossroads of realizations regarding child-parent relationships, values formation and education. These are my suggestions:

Instilling in children the value of education, forged with industry and perseverance, are passports to success and a decent life.

Children, even at a very young age, start manifesting their interests and inclinations. Nurturing those goals and talents would be the key to a portal of opportunities and discoveries.

Don’t let the lack of “resources” hinder a child’s drive to learn and get a good education. Many schools, like MQAP and MQCP, offer scholarships to the financially-lacking but intellectually-deserving. Opportunity abounds for those with the will and the drive to succeed and make a difference.

Start at the core of it all: the family. Times and the economic and social landscapes may be changing, but not the love for family and home where the basic and the best education, begins.

[For feedback, email me at gonegosyo@gmail.com or thru SMS at 09175591245. For free business advice, visit www.gonegosyo.net. Watch the Go Negosyo Bigtime Show in its new home, QTV, every Saturday and Sunday 8 to 8:30 a.m., with replays in NBN every Sunday 9:15 to 10 p.m.]