FOLLOWING FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS
Three top entrepreneurs share lessons they have gleaned from their dad’s success stories.
It is often said that one of the secrets to success is to find a mentor. In the case of our three interviewees, they did not have to look farther than the family tree.
Their own fathers have served as role models not only for their business success, but also for a balanced and happy life. Here, they share what they have learned and show appreciation for the support that they got from their dads.
Chili’s Richie Yang on McDonald’s Philippines’ George Yang What is your favorite childhood memory of your father?
I grew up loving tennis because of my dad. I used to see him playing his tennis matches. And he competed fiercely. Most of his opponents were bigger and stronger than him but he would use his wits to out-play them. That’s where I got my first taste of “fighting spirit”!
What are the words that you would use to describe your dad?
My dad has tons of perseverance. Dad is a “go-getter” and is very passionate about certain things like building business and music.
What do you admire in him?
For someone who has achieved so much in business and life, he hasn’t stopped his desire for learning. He continues to have a thirst for learning especially by talking to his peers and learning from them.
What are the values that he holds important in your family?
family unity and harmony--that money is secondary to family.
How did you “learn the ropes” in business under his guidance?
Growing up I used to work in the family business. I used to hang around in the jewelry business and during my high school summers, I would work in McDonald’s.
What were the business principles that you learned from him? How do you apply these today?
My dad has great vision for the future. He knows he cannot do it alone and because of this, surrounds himself with the best people. That’s something I’m trying to do today--surround myself with people much smarter than myself.
Do you go to him for business advice?
My dad has a great feel for what the customer wants whether it’s a new consumer product or product offering. I consult with him about new business ideas as well.
How is he with his grandchildren?
He is like an “old sage” to Ryan (22), Mondi (21), Raine (20), Yanna (17), and Cara (8). He never ceases to share experiences with them especially now that some of his grandchildren are entering the work force. The younger grandchildren are a source of joy. He wants them around all the time.
How do you spend time with him these days?
I see him every Sunday during family lunches together with the rest of the family.
Did he give you any advice about building a family of your own?
I didn’t really receive any advice but through his actions, I was able to see and realize how he was able to provide for all our needs and so much more.
What did you learn from him about being a father that you apply with your own children?
He has given me so much freedom and leeway to discover my own business passions and yet I know that he is there to support and mentor for anything I need. Now that my children are growing up, i would like them to discover their own passions.
Human Heart Nature’s Anna Meloto-Wilk on Gawad Kalinga’s Tony Meloto
What is your favorite childhood memory of your father?
Playing hide and seek with him during the early ’90s long brown outs, going around the neighborhood talking to people and recruiting for Couples for Christ, sitting in front of the car as we went house to house when he was checking on the neighbors.
What are the words that you would use to describe your dad?
Extrovert, visionary, leader.
What do you admire in him?
His vision, his strong will to make changes and his maverick style.
What are the values that he holds important in your family?
Love of country, love for the poor, being different.
How did you “learn the ropes” in business under his guidance?
Just observing him and seeing him work his “people magic.” He also used to pick my brain, read my essays to see how I think through problems and come up with my own ideas. He used to listen a lot.
What were the business principles that you learned from him? How do you apply these today?
I learned about reading people, probing into their motivations and connecting with them -- Psychology stuff. I get a lot of my “scanning the audience” skills from him to allow me to connect with people from all walks of life. I learned to customize my message and re-calibrate midway through a speech or conversation from observing him.
Do you go to him for business advice?
Sometimes, especially when it comes to dealing with people from underprivileged backgrounds.
How is he with his grandchildren?
He loves his grandkids (Ariel, 11; Chloe, 9; Wolfie, 7; Danny, 4; David, 2; and Vivi, 2 months) and takes pride in their accomplishments.
Did he give you any advice about building a family of your own?
Listen to your husband -which seems a bit self-serving, haha! Seriously though, teach your kids to serve especially the poor at an early age.
What did you learn from him about being a parent that you apply with your own children?
Kids benefit a lot from getting involved in what their parents are passionate about. I’ve learned to share my beliefs and values with my kids at a very early age so we’ve brought them to Gawad Kalinga communities from the time they were babies. One might think they might not remember all of it but it’s a lifestyle we want to start early on. My eldest still remembers painting houses from when she was 2 or 3 years old.
Posh Nails and Kallista’s Cat Ilacad on Octoarts’ Orly Ilacad What is your favorite childhood memory of your father?
My favorite childhood memory would be when he would bring me and my sister to school and we would always be late because we were too shy to wake him up and tell him that the driver was absent. It was always fun having him bring us to school. Our travels would always be one of my favorites too.
What are the words that you would use to describe your dad?
He is loving, kind, hardworking and dedicated.
What do you admire in him?
I admire his passion with what he does. The way he handles his business and the way he deals with people. He doesn’t have biases and talks to everyone. For someone in the entertainment industry where petty fights and misunderstandings are normal, he doesn’t have any of that. Everybody has something good to say about him and that means he has earned the industry’s respect.
What are the values that he holds important in your family?
He believes that love and faith in each other is important.
How did you “learn the ropes” in business under his guidance?
He is my mentor. There is Posh Nails because of him. He believed in my idea and he pushed me to go for it. Weget to talk everyday about business and he helps me realize how important it is to delegate, to create a bigger vision and to value the people who work for you.
What were the business principles that you learned from him? How do you apply these today?
Time is important. Respect other people’s time as your own. So I am never late in a meeting or event. Criticism is normal, don’t take it to heart too much. At the end of the day, what is important is the quality service you have given to our clients.
Do you go to him for business advice?
All the time!
How do you spend time with him these days?
If there’s time, we travel. We talk over breakfast as much as possible. Wetalk about all of my crazy ideas and he puts me in place which ones can be done and which one can be set aside first.