What does it take to be an Entrepreneur?
It has been pretty much a week since we all finished the Caylum Trading Institute Recruitment Course. Immediate at the start of the week, I realize I am back to reality when I get bombarded by voluminous audit plan requests, proposals that needs to be developed and pretty much what makes me busy in a normal day. However, I now have to manage new opportunities that came to my platter in the course of eight (8) weeks meeting people and encountering developments after the Recruitment Course. There were a couple of interesting events I cannot disclose in this blog pertaining to my trading-related initiatives that led me to constantly think of what Tito Bry (Bryan Gomez of CTS Global Equities) emphasized when we were discussing a business idea on a trading-related initiative:
“Kapag magbubusiness ka, kailangan kaibigan mo lahat”
This line resonates with me the loudest even as I write this blog. I realized suddenly that my exposure with Caylum changed my position in how I may be perceived by trader friends as opposed to my prior self. While most are just quiet about their observations, seemingly some eyes are on me as to my personal growth on the trading profession and what my plans are for the trading community one year after all the developments and people I talked with has evolved.
To those who know my trading journey, they probably know at this point of time that I have spoken to at least three trading groups before two new partners emerged and are willingly working with me on these endeavors to make the trading community a more pleasant environment in the quest to reach out more Filipinos to manage their finances more responsibly. And this is probably where Tito Bry’s reminder hits the spot. I ask myself:
“Paano ko matatanggal yung emotions at bias ko sa mga kinahinatnan ng mga nakausap ko dati tungkol sa trading community initiatives ko noon?”
I must admit, it is not easy to void yourself of emotions and just think that things will smoothly transition as you envision things to be. Unfortunately, the quest to establish better trading communities will mean that you cross paths with the people you may have had an unpleasant history to begin with. Moreover, there will come a point where you will have to decide between caution and inclusiveness – a hard decision to make for someone who may have felt hurt in the past with people who thought lowly of you then (and probably now).
But then, I can see clearly what Tito Bry means. A very clear example of a good entrepreneur who challenges the status quo is Chairman Edward Lee. I can see what he meant that “kaibigan mo dapat lahat“, such that I keep an open mind and a neutral stance on opportunities and possibilities to let competition do its own course despite my own biases and personal opinion. In business, I cannot let my own biases ruin an opportunity just because I have beef with possible partners. Perhaps, I will be put into the test in the next few weeks as projects unfold and tasks starts to come in.
Managing interested parties, especially in the trading community, is hard. I can see how much chaos there is because of the trolling culture and exuberant mentorship fees floating around. There are also emerging competitions and innovations that lead to factions and parties. I personally think that these may be considered as noises. At this point, I have to continuously work on my integrity and work ethics towards my vision to open up more opportunities for Filipinos to be financially-learned individuals not only in the local stock market but also with the global stock markets. I constantly remind myself not to close doors for those who may genuinely be able to contribute in realizing a sustainable literacy campaign towards financially-learned Filipinos.
A new chapter is about to unfold. I realize that I am “in the zone” in as far as realizing my personal trading goals and my Ikigai towards a better trading community. And perhaps, this is something that will start in a few weeks’ time. There are so many paths to walk by at this point, and I will be forced to choose soon enough on one of these crossroads. One thing is for sure though – I am about to walk the path of every commoner who had one dream, saw trading as an option, and is about to walk that path of professional trading as part of my entrepreneurial endeavors.
Hold tight because we will be walking side-by-side as I share my journey with you – the common trader – as opposed to those who are already on top. No frills. No hype. Just plain me who, like you, is still working towards that first million dollars using not only trading opportunities, but real-life skill sets from my professional and industry background to walk the most challenging path towards financial growth using my entrepreneurial opportunities.