This is How I Started my Business

[rmercado]

“Entrepreneurship is not for the weak of heart…” –John Gokongwei Jr.

John Gokongwei Jr. calls it the principle of self-determination. As for me, I call it the talent of hardwork. I don’t have any secret formula to succeed in life. I just had the knack of “not giving up when everyone else will.”

Before, my mentors always referred to me as someone who doesn’t listen, someone who’s comfortable with his life. I came from a rich family. I didn’t like following instructions. I found it difficult to listen to criticism. I hated confrontations. I love breaking rules. In short, I wasn’t exactly the best apprentice. But one thing’s for sure, I don’t know when to quit. And luckily, my mentors had no plans of giving up on me either.

When I was starting, I was being lax and I wasn’t really giving my best to complete my tasks. I was playing computer games instead of practicing Internet Marketing strategies. I was sleeping instead of creating new business networks. I was playing the guitar when I was supposed to read business books. Probably it was the universe, or maybe it was divine providence, that conspired to deliver my defining moments a few months after I began business. I was unemployed by choice. My parents and grandparents weren’t very supportive of my business. My car was off limits. My allowance was non-existent. My key for our house was confiscated. To put it simply, I was broke, jobless, and virtually homeless.

I could have left the business world right there and then. I could have told my parents and grandparents to take me under their wings again. I could’ve stopped dreaming. But I didn’t. Instead, with nothing else to lose, I swallowed my pride and I asked my mentor if I could work for him. But he didn’t give me a job. He just told me one thing:

“Hopelessness is a gift. Give up hope that a job can give you the life that you desire and start building your business empire.”

It didn’t make sense at first. Of course I felt betrayed. But I read the message again and again. And I realized something. There should be no plan B. Going back to employment is not part of the equation of success. If I want to succeed in business, then I should do business, eat business, and breathe business. I should work it early and late. I should never let a single hour pass while procrastinating.

From that point on, I engaged in businesses. I engaged in Network Marketing. I engaged in IPOs and PPMs. I engaged in money partnership and expansion investments. I learned a lot of things; from Real Estate Marketing to Internet Marketing to Guerrilla Marketing; from mastering my thoughts to mastering my emotions. I was overwhelmed with all the new experiences and, honestly, I didn’t think that I would have this much fun. I had breakdowns, rock bottom scenarios and I was bringing packed lunch and snack everywhere I went because I only had enough cash for a bus fare going home. I was even confined in a hospital for ten days because I fainted due to dehydration, stress, and lack of sleep. The amazing thing was that my business was booming even when I was stuck in the hospital! Though some set expectations were not met, I’m still very thankful to my mentors who always challenged me to BE more, DO more, and HAVE more. To the mentors who taught me to live life unafraid even during times when I should be afraid.


With Kiyosaki’s book in hand and JG’s words in my head, I started this journey. I was hungry for learning and I was looking for a way to satisfy it. This program made me understand that every time I learn one thing, I will discover a hundred things that I don’t know. I, from this point forward, am a student of life. And now that my parents, grandparents and I are stronger than ever, I seek a new adventure, a new mission. I realized that the best way to learn is to share the knowledge with other people. And now that I experienced a lot and I’m credible enough to be called a business coach, I’m going to enter a new playing field. It’s time to pay the experience forward. I offer discomfort, pain, and challenges to those who are willing to become entrepreneurs and business leaders. For it is in these trials of fire where man can do things he never thought he could.

I offer you growth, learning, wisdom and new perspectives. But what have you to offer?

“I hope that many of you… will some day choose to be entrepreneurs. Choose to be an entrepreneur because then YOU create value. Choose to be an entrepreneur because the products, services, and jobs you create then become the lifeblood of our nation. But most of all, choose to be an entrepreneur because then you desire a life of adventure, endless challenge, and the opportunity to be your BEST SELF.”
–John Gokongwei Jr.



Raphael Mercado
Entrepreneur and Business Coach
Create Abundance Business Community
Mobile Number: 09179174092


-Disclaimer-
Create Abundance Business Community is not affiliated with Rich Dad Organization or Rich Dad Asia. We simply follow the principles of Robert Kiyosaki, Donald Trump, T Harv Eker, influential business gurus and successful businessmen. We learn by doing.