Where MSMEs meet their mentors
What better way to start the year than with fresh insights and practical knowledge from seasoned mentors and partners, equipping micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to build stronger foundations and pursue new opportunities.
NakakaLocal MentorConnect brought practical learning to life, sparking conversations that moved from advice to action. Organized by the PhilSTAR Media Group in partnership with Go Negosyo, the event took place on Jan. 14 at the University of the Philippines, BGC.
“MentorConnect is designed to connect you, our MSMEs, with the right mentors, partners, and resources so you can gain practical guidance, real insights, and opportunities that directly support your goals,” says Jay R. Sarmiento, vice president for Sales and Marketing of PhilSTAR Media Group.
Importance of mentorship
Armando ‘Butz’ Bartolome, president of GMB Franchise Developers Inc., emphasized the importance of mentorship in entrepreneurship, discussing how to find the right mentor and how mentorship plays a key role in building a brand.
Mentorship helps reveal the realities of the industry and supports strategic planning. Bartolome states that “mentoring is a growth tool, not a rescue tool.” He further explains that, based on his experience, businesses often seek mentors only to fix problems at the last minute, which he noted is not the right way to address setbacks.
“A mentor is somebody who will start with you from scratch and help you think before you act,” says Bartolome. He adds that mentors view situations from different perspectives, having already navigated the stages of building a business, which enables them to guide entrepreneurs more effectively.
Starting smart as an MSME
Mark Del Rosario, founder of Let’s Eat Pare, shares strategies on how MSMEs can start smart, stressing that entrepreneurship goes beyond having no boss or full control of one’s time. “You have to discover first if entrepreneurship is really for you,” he says.
“What’s very important for an entrepreneur is being futuristic and a maximizer,” Del Rosario says. Like many entrepreneurs, resources are often limited, so being a maximizer allows businesses to scale effectively and make the most of what they have.
Being futuristic also means being visionary. “Entrepreneurs need a clear vision of where they want to take their business, and they must stick to it every single day,” he adds.
“One of the most important skills for everyone, not just entrepreneurs, is critical thinking,” Del Rosario shares. It allows individuals to process information, generate ideas, and develop the best possible solutions.
Del Rosario also emphasizes the importance of having a unique selling point. When starting a business, entrepreneurs should identify a problem, determine what the market needs, address what can be fixed, and define the value their business brings.
Finding your purple: Money habits to master
Jonathan Mallari, area sales manager of EastWest Ageas Life Insurance Corp., focuses on helping MSMEs develop essential money habits before starting a business.
According to Mallari, the biggest threats to a business are lacking an emergency fund, running short on cash despite sales, carrying debt, and having no protection in place. “If these habits don’t change, panicked decisions follow, profits disappear, emergency funds run out, and stress levels rise. Once stress increases, survival mode kicks in,” he explains.
One of his key points was the importance of controlling money before it controls the business. He emphasizes the need to save before spending, set limits, and assign a clear purpose to every peso.
Reinvestment was another critical topic. “Learn before expanding, and grow with mentors and programs, because growth without guidance is just a risk,” Mallari urges.
And with that, Mallari left a lasting message for the entrepreneurs: Find your purple—discover your purpose in people.
Creating an environment for entrepreneurs
“For the last 20 years, Go Negosyo has supported and helped MSMEs,” says Joey Concepcion III, founder of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, Go Negosyo, in his special message.
He emphasizes the importance of creating the right environment. “We have to provide an environment not only for big businesses to grow, but also for aspiring entrepreneurs,” Concepcion says.
Concepcion also highlights the challenges of entrepreneurship. “The journey of becoming an entrepreneur is not easy; it is very challenging. Providing mentorship to many of these MSMEs is one of the biggest ways we can help them scale up,” he adds.
As NakakaLocal continues to expand its horizons by bringing together MSMEs and showcasing their products, NakakaLocal MentorConnect further advances this mission.
Empowerment lies at the heart of the event, providing entrepreneurs with the knowledge, mentorship, and connections needed to grow their businesses and achieve sustainable success.
