{"id":4342,"date":"2022-05-04T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-04T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/en-ph\/?p=4342"},"modified":"2022-12-21T15:37:44","modified_gmt":"2022-12-21T07:37:44","slug":"young-filipino-entrepreneurs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/en-ph\/young-filipino-entrepreneurs\/","title":{"rendered":"Young and Successful Filipino Entrepreneurs Shaping the Market"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>One look at the Philippine business landscape and you\u2019ll find that a huge chunk of the economy isn\u2019t run by seasoned elders<i> <\/i>helming large conglomerates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In reality, 99.51% of businesses are micro, small or medium enterprises (MSMEs), and some are run by <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/en-ph\/successful-business-women-philippines\/\" class=\"ek-link\">successful young business women<\/a> and men who don\u2019t look out of place on TikTok.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So if you\u2019re young and planning to build your own empire, here is a list of 30 business-minded Millennials and Gen Z-ers to inspire you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve segmented the list by industry to demonstrate the variety of talent that makes the Philippine startup ecosystem so exciting to watch. Note that this is a loose categorization, as some businesses cover more than one industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fashion &amp; Lifestyle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seph Bagasao \u2013 founder of BAGAS\u00c1O label<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Seph-Bagasao.jpg\" alt=\"Seph Bagasao\" class=\"wp-image-4344\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/en-ph\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Seph-Bagasao.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/en-ph\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Seph-Bagasao-320x320.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><figcaption><em>Seph Bagasao of Bagas\u00e1o<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Seph\u2019s passion for fashion started while he was young, rummaging through his <em>lola\u2019s <\/em>closet for purses and dresses. After finishing his degree in psychology, Seph decided to try for fashion school \u2014 and rocked it. He now creates minimalist pieces for his own fashion label, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.notjustalabel.com\/bagasao\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Bagas\u00e1o<\/a>, backed by years of experience in the fashion industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>&#8220;Not everybody can appreciate my work. But I thought that I should stick with what I\u2019m doing, and one day, the right client will appreciate it. And the time came when my clothes started meeting the right clients.\u201d <\/em><\/p><cite><em><strong>\u2013 Seph Bagasao<\/strong><\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AKABA Co-founders<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/AKABA-founders.jpg\" alt=\"Akaba Founders\" class=\"wp-image-4348\" width=\"480\" height=\"271\" \/><figcaption><em> Emmanuel Joseph Mariano, Joseph Daniel Lumain and Alexander Fong \u2013 co-founders of AKABA (native bags)<\/em>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>What started as a school project by partners, <strong>Emmanuel Joseph Mariano, Joseph Daniel Lumain<\/strong> and <strong>Alexander Fong<\/strong>, became a socially responsible business. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/akabaco\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">AKABA<\/a> sells bags that are made with handwoven indigenous weaves like <em>inabel, hinabol<\/em>, and <em>t\u2019nalak<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/en-ph\/social-entrepreneurs\/\" class=\"ek-link\">social enterprise<\/a> supports 13 communities all over the Philippines and has 15 stores nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cBeing in a business is really a selfish thing but when you\u2019re running the business you have to be really selfless.\u201d<\/em><em> <\/em><\/p><cite><strong><em>\u2013 Emmanuel Joseph Mariano<\/em><\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Adrienne Charuel \u2013 owner of Maison M\u00e9tisse <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Adrienne-Charuel.jpg\" alt=\"Adrienne Charuel\" class=\"wp-image-4352\" width=\"513\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption><em>Adrienne Charuel uses local weaves and fabrics <\/em><br><em>for Maison M\u00e9tisse products.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Adrienne is an advocate of ethical and sustainable fashion. It\u2019s no wonder that she is committed to helping local weavers. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maison-metisse.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Maison M\u00e9tisse<\/a>\u2019s fabric products include face masks made from pineapple cotton fabric (<em>pinya<\/em>) and bags adorned with hand embroidery by the Philippine Itneg Tribe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cLiving your dream only has value when you can share it and inspire others.\u201d <\/em><\/p><cite><strong><em>\u2013 Adrienne Charuel<\/em><\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stephanie Ayson \u2013 founder of Pranca Jewelry<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"388\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Stephanie-Ayson.jpg\" alt=\"Stephanie Ayson\" class=\"wp-image-4356\" \/><figcaption><em>Stephanie Ayson, founder of Pranca Jewelry<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Steph grew up in a family of jewellers but never thought she would be one herself. Eventually, she started her own line of demi-fine jewelry. She defines <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pranca-jewelry.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Pranca Jewelry<\/a> designs as raw and unrefined.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Compared to other local jewelers, Pranca\u2019s pieces are minimalist in both production process and final result \u2014 simple yet carrying a strong sense of elegance. Among her brand\u2019s prized pieces are baroque-style earrings and necklaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cI think it\u2019s always there, those hesitations, those fears, but they\u2019re good to have because it\u2019s like a check and balance for you. You\u2019re always trying to assess yourself and your actions.\u201d <\/em><\/p><cite><strong><em>\u2013 Steph Ayson<\/em><\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Daily Schedule PH Co-founders<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"261\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Juliana-Betina-and-Selina-Ocampo.jpg\" alt=\"Juliana, Betina, And Selina Ocampo\" class=\"wp-image-4365\" \/><figcaption><em>Sisters Juliana, Betina, and Selina Ocampo: the women behind the footwear brand, Daily Schedule PH. Image source: PhilStar.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Sisters Juliana, Betina, and Selina Ocampo channeled their love for power dressing into a shoe label that gives women that extra confidence boost. <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyscheduleph.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Daily Schedule<\/a> was born in New York and inspired by the NY woman. Today, it is being rebranded by the youngest sister Juliana into Daily Schedule PH, giving modern Pinays \u201cfashion-forward footwear\u201d for any occasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cWhen we play around with the unconventional, and we open ourselves to its endless possibilities, that\u2019s when the magic happens.\u201d <\/em><\/p><cite><em><strong>\u2013 Selina Ocampo<\/strong><\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Georgianna Carlos \u2013 founder of Fetch! Naturals<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"438\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Georgianna-Carlos.jpg\" alt=\"Georgianna Carlos\" class=\"wp-image-4359\" \/><figcaption><em>Georgianna Carlos, founder of Fetch! Naturals pet products<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Georgianna noticed how her pets were having skin issues, which she attributed to chemical-heavy products. She then decided to create <a href=\"https:\/\/fetchnaturals.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Fetch! Naturals<\/a>, retailing in both Manila and Los Angeles. Georgianna has also founded two other businesses focusing on supporting startups and other entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em><em>\u201cDo what you think will give you purpose or meaning in your life and not what you think society expects you to do.\u201d <\/em><\/em><\/p><cite><em><em><strong>\u2013 Georgianna Carlos<\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ma. Roma Agsunod and Maan Agsalud \u2013 proprietors of Common Room PH <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Common-Room-PH.jpg\" alt=\"Common Room Ph\" class=\"wp-image-4460\" width=\"600\" height=\"405\" \/><figcaption><em>Roma and Maan&#8217;s handmade accessories store became an artists&#8217; space, Common Room PH.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Sisters Roma and Maan opened a home-based business in 2007, selling handmade trinkets and accessories. Their store later became a space for young Filipino artists, designers and makers to showcase and sell their handmade crafts. Over 100 creatives have become part of <a href=\"https:\/\/commonroomph.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Common Room PH<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cThe lack of capital or experience in business is not the only challenge that startups encounter. Sustaining the momentum when the business is in its growing phase is another.\u201d <\/em><\/p><cite><em>\u2013 Roma Agsunod<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Angely Dub \u2013 founder of Access Travel<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Angely-Dub.jpg\" alt=\"Angely Dub\" class=\"wp-image-4466\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><figcaption><em>Angely Dub started Access Travel because of her love of traveling. Image source: @angelydub<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Angely is the quintessential millennial who turned her passion into a business. A serial traveller who has visited at least 52 countries, her agency, <a href=\"https:\/\/travelwithaccess.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Access Travel<\/a>, is a favorite among local artists, travel bloggers, influencers and travelers who don\u2019t want to be typical tourists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a testament to her resilience, Angely started an <em>isaw<\/em> business during the Covid-19 lockdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cI believe that in business or in life, it\u2019s now or never. That\u2019s why if I want to do something, I\u2019ll do it right now. I don\u2019t want to wait for tomorrow.\u201d<\/em><em> <\/em><\/p><cite><em>\u2013 Angely Dub<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Food &amp; Beverage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Avin Ong \u2013 founder of Fredley Group (Macao Imperial Tea, Nabe Japanese Izakaya)<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"260\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Avin-Ong.jpg\" alt=\"Avin Ong\" class=\"wp-image-4360\" \/><figcaption><em>Avin Ong owns around 230 restaurants and caf\u00e9 branches in the country. <\/em><br><em>Image source: When in Manila<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Founder of the <a href=\"https:\/\/fredleygroup.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Fredley Group of Companies<\/a>, Avin owns a master franchise collection of 230 restaurant and caf\u00e9 branches in the country. His portfolio includes popular brands like Macao Imperial Tea, Nabe Japanese Izakaya and Hot Pot, Mitasu Yakiniku, New York Fries &amp; Dips, and Liang Crispy Rolls.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cInnovation is really important. For your brands to be top of mind for your customers, it\u2019s very important that you launch new things once in a while.\u201d <\/em><\/p><cite><em>&#8211; Avin Ong<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Honor, Le PetiMiko Aspiras \u2013 founder of Tasteless Group<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"630\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/chef-miko-aspiras.jpg\" alt=\"Chef Miko Aspiras\" class=\"wp-image-4456\" \/><figcaption><em>Chef Miko Aspiras owns seven restaurant concepts under Tasteless Group.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The heavenly scent of his aunt\u2019s freshly baked cookies was what set Pastry chef Miko on the path to culinary stardom. He slowly worked his way through upscale hotels such as the Shangri-La in Manila, Resorts World Manila, and Raffles before landing a job in Sydney. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In between, he built well-loved dessert venues like Scout\u2019s Honor and Le Petite Souffle. Miko also co-owns seven restaurant concepts under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tasteless.ph\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Tasteless Group<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cWe have to find a balance between perfecting things and also enjoying what we do.\u201d <\/em><\/p><cite><em>\u2013 Miko Aspiras<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tech<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Francis Plaza and Luis Sia \u2013 co-founders of PayMongo<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/PayMongo-co-founders.png\" alt=\"Paymongo Co Founders\" class=\"wp-image-4469\" width=\"599\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/en-ph\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/PayMongo-co-founders.png 799w, https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/en-ph\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/PayMongo-co-founders-640x360.png 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px\" \/><figcaption><em>PayMongo founders, Francis Plaza and Luis Sia, along with co-founder Jaime Hing III.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Francis entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at the ripe age of 16, finishing with a bachelor\u2019s in computer science. He co-founded payment platform <a href=\"https:\/\/www.paymongo.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">PayMongo<\/a> with Luis Sia, which took both of them to the prestigious startup incubator Y Combinator in 2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Soon after, PayMongo received seed funding from no less than PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel and Irish-American fintech company Stripe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cYou don&#8217;t get to choose what hand you&#8217;re dealt at birth, but you do get to choose who you become.\u201d<\/em><\/p><cite><em> \u2013 Francis Plaza<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kathleen Yu \u2013 founder of Rumarocket <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Kathleen-Yu.png\" alt=\"Kathleen Yu\" class=\"wp-image-4470\" width=\"580\" height=\"612\" \/><figcaption><em>Rumarocket is an HR platform created by Kathleen Yu.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Even before Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) were becoming a part of business, Kathleen took a chance and made these platforms a central part of her HR startup.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/rumarocket.com\/?ref=Welcome.AI\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Rumarocket<\/a> was the by-product of a rejected thesis proposal, which Kathleen then took to other professors and got validation for. Moral of the story? Don\u2019t give up at the first rejection, and be ready to iterate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cPeople say you have to be in love with or passionate about your job, or you have to see it as a calling. For me, it\u2019s really about making a choice every day to do the work, to push it forward.\u201d <\/em><\/p><cite><em>\u2013 Kathleen Yu<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gian Scottie Javelona \u2013 founder of OrangeApps <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"434\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Gian-Scottie-Javelona.jpg\" alt=\"Gian Scottie Javelona\" class=\"wp-image-4473\" \/><figcaption><em>OrangeApps started after Gian Javelona hacked his university&#8217;s admin portal.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>What started as a local hack became <a href=\"https:\/\/www.orangeapps.ph\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">OrangeApps<\/a>, a platform for universities and schools to manage front-end IT systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gian was frustrated at the slowness of his university\u2019s admin portal and decided to design a new gateway that plugs into the system\u2019s back end. He explained what he did to the university president and instead of getting berated, he was encouraged to sell the technology to other schools.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cTake care of your existing customers even if it means you have to turn down new ones. Your customers will never forget how your company took care of them in the darkest moments of their business.\u201d<\/em><\/p><cite><em> \u2013 Gian Scottie Javelona<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Matthew Cua \u2013 founder of SkyEye Analytics<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Matthew-Cua.jpg\" alt=\"Matthew Cua\" class=\"wp-image-4475\" \/><figcaption><em>Matthew Cua started his company while studying for his Master&#8217;s degree.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skyeyeph.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">SkyEye<\/a> performs aerial surveys and produces maps or models using drones. Matthew started the company in 2009 while still taking up his Master&#8217;s degree in Environmental Science; now, the business is part of the United Nations Office for Coordination of Human Affairs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SkyEye uses its own software, hardware (read: drones) and operational techniques to provide services faster, better and cheaper.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cEntrepreneurship may not be easy. It is slugging through it every day and working for it.\u201d <\/em><\/p><cite><em>\u2013 Matthew Cua<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stephanie Sy \u2013 founder of Thinking Machines<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"331\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Stephanie-Sy.jpg\" alt=\"Stephanie Sy\" class=\"wp-image-4482\" \/><figcaption><em>Stephanie Sy left a lucrative job in Silicon Valley and founded <br>her startup, Thinking Machines.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Stephanie left Silicon Valley and founded <a href=\"https:\/\/thinkingmachin.es\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Thinking Machines<\/a> in 2015, hoping to make the Philippines a global hub for data science. With offices in Manila and San Francisco, Thinking Machines has an impressive client list of Philippine corporations, global nonprofits, and award-winning media organizations.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cI\u2019m not inspired by people as much as ideas and the discovery of newness, and even the high of failing terribly and then succeeding. That\u2019s my source of inspiration.\u201d <\/em><\/p><cite><em>\u2013 Stephanie Sy<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Carl Ocab \u2013 founder of Carl Ocab Internet Marketing Services<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Carl-Ocab.jpg\" alt=\"Carl Ocab\" class=\"wp-image-4517\" width=\"540\" height=\"512\" \/><figcaption><em>Carl Ocab started in tech by blogging to earn some income.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Carl got a head start on tech thanks to his dad, who told him to blog for income instead of spending his allowance playing Ragnarok. Carl started building websites at age 12 and a year later, he founded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carlocab.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Carl Ocab Internet Marketing<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The site brought him digital marketing fame with the magic keywords &#8220;make money online\u201d \u2014 still one of the highly searched strings today.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cDon\u2019t be afraid of outsourcing your business to other countries. If you find the right agency that\u2019s aligned with your needs then you\u2019d be able to make a whole lot more money.\u201d <\/em><\/p><cite><em>\u2013 Carl Ocab<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finance, Management &amp; Marketing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Mica Tan \u2013 founder of MFT Group <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"403\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Mica-Tan.png\" alt=\"Mica Tan\" class=\"wp-image-4474\" \/><figcaption><em>Mica Tan started trading at age 15 and started her own company at 19.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The first time Maria Francesca (a.k.a Mica) stepped onto a trading floor, she was 13 years old. By age 15, she was trading foreign currencies after being taught by seasoned forex traders.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She started her own business when she was 19, and today, <a href=\"https:\/\/mftgroup.com.ph\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">MFT Group<\/a> operates in nine countries around the world. This ambitious young lady intends to have at least 100 businesses globally\u2014and looks set to achieve it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em><em>\u201cI believe that to be successful, one always needs other people.\u201d <\/em><\/em><\/p><cite><em><em>&nbsp;\u2013 Mica Tan<\/em><\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kenn Costales \u2013 founder of Monolith Growth Ventures <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"471\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/ken-constales.jpg\" alt=\"Ken Constales\" class=\"wp-image-4516\" \/><figcaption><em>Ken Costales&#8217;s Monolith Growth Ventures focuses on performance marketing.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ken founded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.monolithgrowth.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Monolith Growth Ventures<\/a> in 2016 after working for FMCG giant Procter &amp; Gamble. He focuses on performance marketing, helping businesses streamline processes and scale. His clients include brands such as Fitness First, The Boston Consulting Group, Sonos, and Klipsch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cEven if you do a lot of work, you also can\u2019t expect results to come instantly\u2026 efforts in the early days have low ROI but things will feel like magic once you stay consistent for a few years.\u201d <\/em><\/p><cite><em>\u2013 Kenn Costales<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Agriculture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Louise Emmanuelle Mabulo \u2013 founder of The Cacao Project<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Louise-Mabulo.jpg\" alt=\"Louise Mabulo\" class=\"wp-image-4518\" width=\"750\" height=\"536\" \/><figcaption><em>Louise Mabulo&#8217;s The Cacao Project teaches farmers sustainable cacao production.<\/em> <em>Image source: louisemabulo.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>When Typhoon Nock-ten (local name Typhoon Nina) struck the Philippines in December 2016, almost all of the food supply in the affected areas was destroyed. Interestingly, the trees that remained standing were all cacao trees. This led Chef Louise to start <a href=\"https:\/\/louisemabulo.com\/the-cacao-project\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">The Cacao Project<\/a>, which provides farmers with cacao plant seedlings and teaches them how to sustainably produce cacao.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To date, The Cacao Project has trained 200 farmers in agroforestry and planted over 70,000 trees across 70 hectares of land.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>&#8220;Our environment and our climate run through the very fiber of our daily lives: in our breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We need to close the gap that separates our consumers from our producers.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><cite><em> \u2013 Louise Emmanuelle Mabulo<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cherrie Atilano \u2013 founder of AGREA and co-founder of HATIENDA <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"620\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Cherrie-Atilano.jpg\" alt=\"Cherrie Atilano\" class=\"wp-image-4519\" \/><figcaption><em>Cherrie Atilano&#8217;s AGREA works with local farmers to achieve sustainability and zero insufficiencies.<\/em><br><em> Image source<\/em>: 50Next<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Cherrie grew up in sugarcane country and started working with farmers (well, farmers\u2019 kids) from her childhood. At age 12, she began teaching farmers sustainable farming based on what she had read.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.agrea.ph\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">AGREA<\/a>, Cherrie hopes to build a true One Island Economy in Marinduque with zero hunger, zero waste, and zero insufficiencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cI always believe that when your heart is set to doing good, the universe will conspire to help you.\u201d<\/em><em> <\/em><\/p><cite><em>\u2013 Cherrie Atilano<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rachel De Villa \u2013 co-founder of Cropital <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"596\" height=\"397\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/rachel-de-villa.webp\" alt=\"Rachel De Villa\" class=\"wp-image-4522\" \/><figcaption><em>Rachel De Villa founded Cropital to empower farmers through training, insurance and technology.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A full-stack programmer, Rachel has always wanted to create something useful. Seeing how agriculture is set back due to farmers\u2019 lack of access to funding, Rachel set up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cropital.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Cropital<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of relying on loan sharks, farmers can now get financed by individuals who are willing to invest in their businesses. Cropital also aims to empower farmers through crop insurance, training, and access to technology partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cI\u2019ve always believed that the worst part about being an entrepreneur is that you cannot do it alone but the best part is you don\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/em><\/p><cite><em>\u2013 Rachel De Villa<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sustainability in the Built Environment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Earl Patrick Forlales and Zahra Halabisaz Zanjani \u2013 founders of Cubo <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"620\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Earl-Patrick-Forlales-and-Zahra-Halabisaz-Zanjani.jpg\" alt=\"Earl Patrick Forlales And Zahra Halabisaz Zanjani\" class=\"wp-image-4523\" \/><figcaption><em>Cubo designs sustainable housing from bamboo materials. The company took inspiration <\/em><br><em>from the bahay kubo.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Earl and Zahra seek to tackle the country\u2019s housing problem with <a href=\"https:\/\/cubo.ph\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Cubo<\/a>, a company that provides easily constructed bamboo houses. Taking inspiration from huts that Earl\u2019s grandparents had built, Cubo houses can be set up in less than four hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea won the Cities for our Future competition in 2018, which was hosted by the UK\u2019s Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>My ultimate dream? A Philippines with no slums. I really just want to do something that would impact peoples&#8217; lives, and ideally that something would outlive me. <\/em><\/p><cite><em>\u2013 Earl Patrick Forlales&nbsp;<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leandro Leviste \u2013 founder of Solar Philippines <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/Leandro-Leviste.jpg\" alt=\"Leandro Leviste\" class=\"wp-image-4524\" width=\"631\" height=\"353\" \/><figcaption><em>Leandro Leviste and his company, Solar Philippines have serviced millions of households<br> who switched to solar power.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Yale University dropout Leandro founded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarphilippines.ph\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Solar Philippines<\/a> at age 23 and has not looked back since. The company is now Southeast Asia\u2019s largest and only integrated solar developer, investor, manufacturer, and procurement and construction solar company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Millions of Filipino households have already benefited from the company\u2019s solar farms and installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cWe don\u2019t measure our success in terms of profits or revenues, but our contribution towards the development of the Philippines.\u201d <\/em><\/p><cite><em>\u2013&nbsp;Leandro Leviste<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Count on <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ninjavan.co\/en-ph\/most-successful-entrepreneurs-philippines\/\" class=\"ek-link\">Filipino entrepreneurs<\/a> to know how to make the most of what\u2019s available. The people on this list are a case in point: they were able to tap into their inner problem-solver and build businesses that meet real needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From HR to marketing, farming to fashion, Filipino inventiveness and creativity shine through in the examples we\u2019ve listed here. While age brings experience, youth can bring energy and openness to new ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Featured image by Nuthawut Somsuk via Getty Images<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>They&#8217;re young, successful and making a difference. Get to know these young entrepreneurs who are shaping the market and our future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4532,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Top Young Successful Filipino Entrepreneurs ","_seopress_titles_desc":"Young and driven not just by ambition but the dream to make a difference. 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