There’s something about listening to a 20-something dream about becoming a CEO by age 30 that brings out extremes in people.
Franco Mesina is a classic example, and he is probably used to getting the full range of reactions from admiration to rejection. The far right side of the spectrum — pessimism from other people or even outright rejection of his dreams — don’t seem to have any effect on him.
Even before he graduated from college, Franco has already set up a water-refilling station business with his dad. But while the business flourished, he had no plans of stopping there. With his girlfriend Abby, he stumbled on a business opportunity when they met an importer/exporter of equipment for water refilling stations. They convinced the businessman to take a chance on them, thus the birth of a new company with a business to business (B2B) strategy, aiming to be a major supplier of good-quality equipment for water stations and institutional clients all over the country.
The way Franco declared his goals of becoming a CEO of a nationwide water company by age 30 – that’s less than 10 years from now – makes one think that meeting the big businessman who gave him and his girlfriend a break was not a happy coincidence. He looked like someone who make things happen with sheer determination.
Franco and Abby are now busy with three fledgling companies – a supplier of water refilling station equipment, Icylicious (snow cones from clean water) and a packaging company. If you want to vote for Franco and Abby to be one of eight groups of business owners who will get advice from Willy Arcilla for one year, just comment on this article ☺
Read about contender number one, No Slipping Inc.’s Wilson Sy, here.
Read about the first plenary session in my two blog previous posts here and here.
Click here to watch a video of Franco and Abby.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:43 am
I am Franco’s mom. He is 23 yrs old and I am 52. I knew of his big dream when he was 2 yrs old. We were walking along Reina Regente St in Binondo when he pointed to me an 8 storey building. He said, ” pag laki ko ganyan ang magiging bahay ko at airconditioned mula sa taas hanggang sa ibaba” ( when I grow up I will have a building like that fully airconditioned.) I smiled and replied ” yes you will have a building when you grow up.)
Since then, he always saved money from his bday gifts, x’mas gifts and daily school allowance (he entered nursery school at 3) for his building.
This dream never left his mind. Now he has more and even higher goals.
I am confident he will realized all his plans coz he is very hardworking, God fearing, has love for the less fortunate and wants to give employment to his countrymen.
You know how I supported you son. I will always be here for you.
To Abby, you are very intelligent and knowledgable in all you undertakings.
GOODLUCK TO BOTH OF YOU !!!
March 12th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Back in college, all he could talk about were his plans to set up his own business. And now he has three?! Way to go!
Good luck Franco!!! Wish you all the best!
March 12th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
He has always shown his drive and dedication, and as expected Franco is really on his way to achieving his goals! Godspeed Cong!
March 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I’ve known franco since college and he is really a hard working guy and a good friend. I salute him for having these business ideas at such a young age. Hope he gets to achieve his goals and help as much people along the way =)
March 12th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
he’s still young and he’s very determined. I’m sure he can still learn a lot of things and be able to reach his dreams.