I have been entrepreneurial all of my life. When I was around 9 years old I started having businesses, doing jobs to earn money and such. I have always thought in an entrepreneurial way. Now, this next sentence might surprise some readers, though.
I have not always been an entrepreneur.
Do you see the difference? I said that I have always thought in an entrepreneurial way. But, you can think that way without actually being an entrepreneur, though.
You see, when I was 15, I got into retailing. I was just a stock boy at a store at that time, but it opened up a lot of what made me who I am today. I worked my way up in retailing to the point where I was a store manager, and also had some temporary assignments in regional management for the company as well. Working a job for a large company is not being an entrepreneur, so I was not, although I still thought in a very entrepreneurial way. I was a store manager at the age of just 22 years old, the youngest store manager ever for the company at that time. And, I was successful at what I did. I also learned a lot doing it.
After leaving that company, I went more into retail sales for about 5 years or so. I started out as a salesperson at a store and then became the sales manager. That job eventually made me the store manager, so I rose up to the same types of responsibilities that I had in my previous retail life.
After leaving that second store management job, I did some entrepreneurial things, but I also got another job, this time working in the tech industry – at a Silicon Wafer manufacturing operation. On that job, I eventually became a clean room supervisor. That job, though, was the least entrepreneurial job that I ever had, and I did find it a bit boring.
When did I really become an entrepreneur?
Believe it or not, when I moved to the Philippines in 2000, that is when I would say that I became an entrepreneur. I had done many entrepreneurial things when I was a kid and throughout my work career, but I didn’t become a full-time entrepreneur until moving here.
Can you imagine, having only limited real business knowledge or experience and going all out with it in a completely new country? The odds of success are phenomenally low, but somehow I did it! I guess it is just in my blood!
Anyway, readers of this site might be interested in my article today in my Live in the Philippines Web Magazine. It is about the business opportunity. Give it a read here, and let me know what you think: Where is the Land of Opportunity?
Dear Bob; A friend who says he met you in Davao & directed me to your site. I thought I would say “hello.” I live on Palawan for a portion of the year & have a home in San Diego too. On Palawan I am raising, (trying) lobster, abalone, grouper, & sea weed. We just finished a solar power unit since our local power company can’t be relied upon. I also now have an electric truck. A fellow from Belgium did it for me. He has a solar/wind company in the Philippines. He is headquartered on Palawan but will do installation anyplace in the Philippines. His name is “Koos Mulder.” Here is his website.<KOOS MULDER Very interesting man. You & him might help each other. I sure would like to have a visit but my wife doesn’t want to take me to Mendeneo since she (& I), are concerned about muslims.
We pray all is well with you & yours. Please take care & we’ll,,,,,SEEYYAA!! Bill n’ Nida.
Hi Bill – Nice to know you.
BTW, your comment about Mindanao, especially Davao, is pure ignorance. Davao is generally considered to be the safest City in the Philippines.