Q1: You and your husband are owners of several businesses (hardware, office supplies). What made you decide to be franchisee of another, specifically Kumon in Tarlac? A: I started Kumon by chance. It was never really part of my plan to franchise a Kumon Center until the existing instructor/ franchisee of the center in Tarlac was going to relocate to […]
interviews
Q1: You were in consumer advertising before marketing political campaigns. How similar or different are the frameworks you use with marketing products or services to influence voters? A: The framework is essentially the same. The candidate is like a “product” that must be sold on the basis of the benefits it claims and overall reputation that it owns. The other […]
Q1: There is always a crossroad with growing family enterprises – that of professionalizing by hiring an experienced outsider or continuing governance within the family. How can you help in this regard? A: When a family enterprise is ready to professionalize, the first things that need to be done are the drawing up of the family governance constitution and the […]
Edgar Sia II, better known as Injap, started Mang Inasal in Iloilo City in 2003. For his successful expansion and pioneering concept of the Filipino barbeque fast-food chain, he was awarded, among many others, the Mansmith Young Market Masters Award (YMMA) in 2009. In 2010, Jollibee acquired 70% of the company for P3 billion. Injap then focused on another start-up, […]
Q1: Unlike your competitors, Serenitea brews freshly brewed tea using an Espresso machine. What was the insight for this move? A: We did this to ensure the quality of our product so as to deliver freshness in every cup. It also helps our business minimize spoilage. It’s a win-win move for both customers and the company. It also happened that […]
Q1: What was the inspiration behind your beauty distribution company? A: Being an avid shopper myself, I have always had this interest with the retail industry whether which side of the fence I am in. The “accidental discovery” of K-Palette’s eyebrow liner came at a time when my husband and I were thinking of having our own business. I stumbled […]
Q1: There are so many banks in the Philippines, yet, since 2012, East West Bank has opened around 300 additional branches in 3 years, what is your vision for East West Bank? A. Our expansion was a necessary competitive response. We needed to expand quite massively because our competitors have much more branches. Otherwise, we will get clobbered. This is […]
Q1: What made you offer a 10 minute massage for P55? Was it part of an original package when you started or did it become a subsequent offering as a traffic builder? A: I offered our 10-min Express Massage (dry massage, no oil) to be a “tingi” or “sachet” service. We wanted to increase Mont Albo first timers and entice […]
Q1: When you took over the role of CEO for Sun Life Philippines in 2009, total premiums was declining from P13.1 billion in 2007 to P8.5 billion in 2008. By 2014, Sun Life has become the leading life insurance provider in the Philippines. What did you do to turnaround the business? A: It wasn’t just Sun Life whose premiums declined […]
Q1: You were an IT executive before. What made you shift to becoming a yoga instructor and entrepreneur? A: I tried yoga as a form of fitness activity in 2005 when a yoga studio opened one floor below my office. Prior to that, I was a regular gym-goer. I did group classes and did once a week private session for […]