Valenzuela City lived up to its reputation as one of the Philippines’s most business-friendly cities when hundreds of its active and aspiring entrepreneurs trooped to Go Negosyo’s 3M on Wheels last July 1, 2023 at the SM City Valenzuela.

“The vibrancy of the MSMEs in Valenzuela only shows how important local government support is to encouraging small businesses to thrive,” said Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, who also thanked the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Valenzuela Inc. for advocating for the growth of the city’s MSMEs.

The city’s MSMEs lined up as early as 3 a.m, outside the mall to avail of the free entrepreneurship coaching from seasoned entrepreneurs and businessmen on how to start their own business or improve their existing ones.

In his welcome address, Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian shared how the city worked to achieve ease-of-doing-business for both big and small businesses. “Entrepreneurs are not afraid to open businesses here,” he told the audience. “Walang fixer, hindikailangan ng fixer because we are fully digitalized.”  He shared that the city has its Paspas Permit program, which can issue business permits in a matter of seconds, with a post-audit thoroughly providing assessment of these permits.

Veteran mentor and The French Baker founder/CEO Johnlu Koa delivered an inspirational speech, and encouraged attendees to continue their learning journey as they pursue their businesses.

Yollly Dela Cruz, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Valenzuela Inc., inspired the active and aspiring entrepreneurs to continue growing their businesses. “Don’t be contented with what you are now; learn to fly high and go global,” she said. She, along with Tess Ngan Tian and Gene Sy of PCCI Valenzuela Inc., personally mentored some of the small entrepreneurs.

Content creator Queen Hera, who owns Heera Glow and HeeraCompany, delivered an informative lecture on How to Be a Brand Influencer, sharing her own tips and tricks on how small businesses can maximize digital technology promote and market their products and services. The event also featured an expo where attendees can consult in-person about funding solutions as well as market opportunities. 

All active and aspiring entrepreneurs went home with Go Negosyo shirts and copies of the popular entrepreneurship book “21 Steps to Start and Grow Your Business”, while lucky attendees went home with cash prizes from the raffle draw. One lucky attendee went home with a livelihood package worth Php20,000 from Valenzuela City-based food manufacturing company, CDO Foodsphere.