I am probably a year too late for this post. Still, looking back through the years of hard work and opportunities, I can never forget the first time in many years I was back in my college Alma Mater, Far Eastern University-Manila, Institute of Accounts, Business, and Finance (IABF)–this time as a resource speaker.
Albeit more than a decade into my college graduation, I was happy to serve and give back in any way I can to the institute that has been part of my journey not just as an entrepreneur, but as a human being. I was happy to be in touch with my former professors whom I looked up to and still look up to until now, who disciplined me and taught me all essential things they knew, for me and for all of us to be able to make it in different fields we wanted to pursue after college.
Tambiz, an event handled by the Department of Business Administration, FEU-IABF, is an exhibition showcasing innovative products by business students.
Ideazpark is one of the highlights of the event, inviting different speakers from different facets of entrepreneurship to share insights, stories, and experiences to business students hoping to create new breed of different entrepreneurs.
Alongside other Entrepreneur Champions (I still feel an impostor to this day being called either an entrepreneur or a social entrepreneur even), I was able to share my humble beginnings as a social entrepreneur and founder of Happy Shift PH. I was once a student attending and even organizing this kind of event by the institute and now realizing that I am already one of the speakers is a humbling experience for me.
My VelociTalk
Happy Shift has gone through many transformations, setbacks, and successes through the years. For almost ten years, it has survived the pandemic and various hurdles common businesses often endure and how social enterprises survive in the midst of challenges and other trials. Having your own business, a social enterprise at that, is not an escape to any corporate or academic work, but an addition to it–even harder if I may say so. Hours are longer, difficulties are double, but rewards are limitless. Did I follow my passion? Yes. Did it make me happier? Yes, no doubt. Was it easy? NO.
I know many business owners can resonate that there is always that time in your entrepreneurial journey when you wanted to quit. Quitting could be a possible solution, but it does not fill the void, though there is nothing wrong with that as well. For almost a decade, I strive to be a better version of me through my social enterprise, doing everything for a purpose and campaigning for a social cause. Blessed are the few who inherit a business or have a huge capital to begin with, but the lack of it would not be a sole excuse why you cannot commence whatever it is you dream of. Is money important? YES, no doubt, but willingness and the heart to pursue are what more essential for you to get where you want to be.
I always say whenever I was invited to speak that:
Nothing is ever easy, even with the things you love doing.
Do not lose heart in the face of challenges no matter how difficult it is. Sometimes, you have to take one step backward for you to be able to move two steps forward. You may want to ignite it within your core and see what you want to do things differently.
You can always begin with something small. It does not have to be big on the onset. Gradual growth is better so you’d know how to calculate various risks and strategize in every difficulty.
Make sure that you surround yourself with people who are happy for your endeavors and who are there for you in your lowest. It is easier to be friends with people when you are successful and when you already have something to offer, or to provide; but the people who see you in your poorest and in your most challenging times deserve to be on your side during your happiest or most successful episode. What if no one is there? Then so be it. Whilst no man is an island, you can best rely on yourself with things you are able to survive. This is the reason why you have to also prioritize yourself, too.
Do not be threatened with people doing better than you. Instead, get inspiration from them because they, too, had hurdled through the difficulties to get where they are now. You cannot compare the success of someone to your very own; for everyone has their own timeline to begin with. While you are foreseeing the future, you should also enjoy your journey so you have something to look back from whether you have made it or not. Failure is part of every process. Not everything will work out fine. This very lesson will give you access and an opportunity to be more creative, innovative, and resourceful for new ways on how you can be better.
I know these are all easier said than done because there will be days when you feel like you are not yourself anymore. But always remember that it is worth the fortitude.
I know I have paid my respect and gratitude to the people behind Tambiz 2022, but it still worth mentioning them again here:
Thank you, Dr. Joey Tem, my ever-supportive and excellent professor in my many courses during college. I appreciate all the discipline and the lessons that you have imparted to me through the years and I am one of those lucky ones that could say are blessed to have you as their professor. IABF is lucky to have a dedicated professor like you who always showcased excellence and uprightness in everything you do.
I’m grateful also to Prof. Madonna Tejada, my then Microeconomics professors, who is also very successful with her craft now. Your dedication to the art and science of teaching and ensuring that your students learn are commendable.
To the student leaders and committees of Tambiz and FEU-IABF, kudos to taking the first step of being excellent. Being a student leader is not an easy feat to do simultaneous with the rigor of studying and serving your fellow students. The fruit of such labor will be sowed in time when you are already working or starting your own business. Being intelligent or smart is one, but being a leader is another. The latter is more rewarding as it leads you to different places, to different people, and to various learnings textbooks could not even fully verbalize. The opportunity to influence and to inspire people are the most powerful and empowering to do in this lifetime.
Shainne Hostalero 