Aspiring entrepreneurs are set to benefit from the mentorship of successful businessmen and entrepreneurs of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). This follows a meeting between Go Negosyo and the PCCI NCR presidents and area heads last January 09 where Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion invited the PCCI and its members to become mentors at the free mentoring sessions it conducts regularly for active and aspiring entrepreneurs.

“The fit is perfect,” said Concepcion. “PCCI members have already proven themselves in their respective businesses, and, having had first-hand experience of what it’s like to start a business and successfully run it, they possess valuable insight into the real-world problems that await aspiring entrepreneurs,” he said.

Concepcion said he expects there to be an increase in the demand for mentors as entrepreneurship becomes more popular among Filipinos. “Judging from the findings of OCTA Research that 81 percent of Filipinos all over the country aspire to become entrepreneurs, we can only expect more Filipinos to flock to the entrepreneurship events we have lined up this year,” said Concepcion.

Since being founded in 2005, Go Negosyo has conducted free entrepreneurship mentoring sessions and formal training programs in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Agriculture and several government agencies and LGUs. Its mall-based, free mentoring roadshow 3M on Wheels has attracted thousands of active and aspiring entrepreneurs who come to the events to receive one-on-one mentoring from veteran entrepreneurs and respected businessmen.

In 2023, Go Negosyo is set to hold more 3M on Wheels events, starting in SM City San Lazaro, and then expanding to the CAMANAVA area, Cavite, Baguio, Pampanga, Batangas, Bicol, Davao, Bulacan, Iloilo and Laguna, as well as several which will be held within the National Capital Region. Specialized  entrepreneurship events focused on women, OFWs, digital technology, agriculture, tourism, and the youth, will also feature one-on-one free mentoring sessions.

Teresita Ngan Tian, PCCI AVP for NCR and a longtime mentor for Go Negosyo, shared that mentoring is akin to inspiring people. “I am thankful for the opportunity to have been able to mentor and I hope everybody can become a mentor and see how they can be able to help others,” she said.

The PCCI presidents and area heads offered that some of them have specialized training which can be useful to mentees who may be interested in becoming part of niche industries like renewable energy, or who have specific learning gaps in areas like taxation or commercial design.

“Not so many [of our mentors] are in the field of finance and taxation, and it is where most MSMEs lack knowledge,” said Ngan Tian.

Concepcion observed that many MSMEs during the Go Negosyo free mentoring events tend to ask questions about taxation and regulatory requirements for businesses, which he takes as an indication that MSMEs would like to be part of the formal economy, given the chance. 

“Although a lot of our MSEs are still part of the underground economy, many are willing to comply with regulatory requirements. In fact, the most common questions our mentors receive during our free mentoring sessions have to do with cash flow management, taxation and even how to file business permits. We want to help them and make them part of the taxable economy,” he said.

Likewise, Go Negosyo has, over the years, developed training modules that help professionals and veteran entrepreneurs become effective mentors. Its mentorship modules are now being adapted across the ASEAN region through the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs program.  More recently, and in cooperation with the DTI, it has contributed in the compilation of case studies which add to the body of knowledge about entrepreneurship in the Philippines.

“When we help MSMEs grow, they will be able to contribute, first to the local economy, and when they become more successful, to the national economy,” said Concepcion. “PCCI is a very important partner in achieving this,” he said.