Last Friday’s plenary session with Willy E. Arcilla, Open For Business’ consultant for business mentoring, was a showcase of big dreams, big hearts and high hopes.
Twelve of the applicants for business mentoring made it to the event, while two were scheduled to be hooked up via phone and instant messenger. Unfortunately, my MacBook was not up to the task because the owner was not tech-savvy enough (sorry) so the interview with Rica would be scheduled this week instead. Two of the applicants found out about the event too late, but would still be included in the short list.
It turned out so well that I could sense Willy didn’t want to have to choose only eight from the 14 businesses that made it to the shortlist. But we had to limit the number to eight, so I’m afraid some of those who came will have to be dropped from the year-long business mentoring activity. 
On the bright side, at least they had one plenary session to remember, and a free invitation to a Marketing For Entrepreneurs seminar at the Hotel Sofitel, courtesy of Willy, who was a speaker at the event.
As I said, it was a showcase of big dreams, big hearts and high hopes. Most of the business owners who attended were very young. In fact, we had a 26-year old who dreamed of being chairman of a national water company before he turns 30! Talk about big, exciting dreams.
We spent the morning listening to an inspiring message from Willy, and hearing from the business owners in an eye-opening session that brightens the future look for the Philippines despite the political brouhaha going on. More details to follow, but here are some photos of the event.
Willy gave us a reason to love being entrepreneurs, and helped us understand that entrepreneurship is more than just operation headaches, sprucing up sales and managing people. It is, more than anything else, a way to achieve our dreams and the proud destiny of our nation.
We tried to be formal and proper…
…but couldn’t resist showing our true colors!
It was a super fun morning. The applicants all ended up calling each other ‘classmates’ and looking forward to their first real class with Willy. More to follow, including videos and voice files of the event.
Batch 2008!
April 28th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
[...] Mentoring is a one-year project by Open For Business of INQUIRER.net. Eight businesses that have been chosen by a panel and readers’ votes will be mentored by Willy Arcilla, regional [...]
March 27th, 2008 at 9:47 am
I vote for Cancer Council of The Philippines
March 24th, 2008 at 6:53 am
I vote for Pat Flower Shop and Supplies to be included in this years mentoring. Why? the obvious, nurture to life again what seems to be in the drain. There is no sweeter to savor success in adversity!
March 5th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
“One of my dreams is precisely for public servants to become entrepreneurs, e.g., outsourcing government jobs initially so they capitalize on their talent.”
Perhaps those public servants can be mentors in their own right? Perhaps they can use YouTube to showcase their talents and expertise with simple ‘how-tos’ ?
Incidentally, perhaps this link can be of interest to readers/mentors out there: http://mentorings.org
February 28th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Dear Pinoy Investor,
WOW! I want to meet you, congratulate you and learn from you! Are you in Manila or overseas? I’ll be in Vietnam till March 14 so I can be free to meet up week of March 17 in Manila. (Editor’s Note: Willy’s email and phone number will be sent to Pinoy Investor privately via email.)
God bless and mabuhay!