Guia Gomez, an entrepreneur who underwent a series of trial and error challenges in several business ventures is considered an “entrepreneur guru” of striving and aspiring entrepreneurs who sought her advises. Her thirty seven (37) long years of involvement in various kinds of businesses with several associates provided her the hands-on training on management, marketing, production, technical and financial operations equivalent to a masteral degree in business administration or even a doctoral degree.
Her various business endeavors at a given time were: catering, manufacturing, export, international recruitment, domestic employment assistance, development and realty, construction, environment consulting, management, marketing, franchising and e-commerce.
The business instincts of Ms. Gomez made her companies financially and operationally viable during its incubation and up to a certain period of time. She believes that entrepreneurs should be flexible and must have the “let go” attitude in order for them to survive the fast-changing business environment. She always warns the aspiring entrepreneurs not be to emotionally attached to their products and must be opened to “change” so that they can continue to be in the business world.
Name the business and Ms. Gomez can say significant statement about it. Her wide exposure in different types of business ventures as a single proprietor, partner and corporate board member led to the registration of thirty three (33) companies with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Majority of these companies are categorized as small or micro businesses with paid up capital of six thousand pesos (P6,000.00) or below per company. Ms. Gomez, as entrepreneur advocate supported the creation of companies among her friends colleagues and wide spectrum of business associates. She provided them her wisdom, technical assistance and networks of friends with various fields of expertise.
She has now graduated from the tediousness and stressful business operations and spending time in mentoring other micro-entrepreneurs inspired by the Balikatan sa Kaunlaran (BSK) National Foundation, a thirty-two year old family-based, non-stock, non-profit organization promoting Entre-Pinoy and Agri-business as its flagship programs.
As the BSK National President, Ms. Gomez spearheaded the adoption of a BSK social enterprise to ensure the financial sustainability of the organization. Called the “Nenita” dolls, the BSK doll trademark has pioneered the creation of doll museums in the country and contributed in promoting nationalism among youth and children. Among the doll museums depicting histories of various cities can be found in Marikina, San Juan, Las Pinas, Pulilan, Bulacan and Subic.
In addition to her role as the “icon” of doll museums in the country, Ms. Gomez continues to provide entrepreneurs her ideas and perspectives on how to pursue their business ventures. One has to be objective in accepting her negative comments on their business prospects because as “entrepreneur guru,” Ms. Gomez will definitely verbalize both her positive and negative perspectives so that the entrepreneur is ready to face the problem that he/she may encounter in the future.
As her son, Mayor JV Ejercito puts it, “he learned from all her mother’s mistakes in businesses.” Ms. Gomez did it the hard way and she wants to help other entrepreneurs to learn how to cope because businesses nowadays are more complicated as a result of the global financial crisis.
In addition to the free entrepreneurial consultancy services being provided by Ms. Gomez, she also assists in marketing quality products through direct selling and on-line marketing. Ms. Gomez ensures that the products that she will endorse will pass her own-quality control criteria through using them and testing their efficiency or effectiveness. Among the products that she is promoting are: herbal medicines, powdered green tea, liquid soap, decorative eggs and novelty items.
During her recent television interviews at UNTV station, Ms. Gomez stressed that the “global financial crisis is a wake up call for all of us. Our country can survive if we just simplify our lifestyle, go back to basics and have strong faith in God.”
Ms. Gomez reiterates that entrepreneurs are the backbone of country’s economy. They should be provided with support mechanisms so that our country can survive the crisis.
Submitted by Evelyn B. Alcantara*
May 13, 2009
* Evelyn Alcantara is the Executive Trustee of the Balikatan sa Kaunlaran (BSK) National
Foundation
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2 comments:
I admire Guia Gomez and if she were young she's the kind of woman I would marry. She is really very smart about almost everything.
i agree with you Nikol. She's an every man's dream! Ms Guia was Close to perfect I think! If I were a man and I was born in her time, I'll surely court her!
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