SHARON Chua, 37, doesn’t belong to a branded generation.
She was born decades after hippies rode off into their Beetles into the sunset and the Jacobian handshake was still a unique sound in a handful of homes.
But graduating in the year 2000 and building a business later prompted the BusinessMirror to talk to Chua and find out how she does business at a time Mason jars and designer tea grip is the fascination of young entrepreneurs.
BusinessMirror (BM): How do you define a millennial entrepreneur?
SHARON CHUA (SC): “Millennial” meaning someone who reached adulthood by the year 2000. Hmmm…I graduated from college in the year 2000, so I am categorically a “millennial” entrepreneur.
I grew up believing I could achieve anything I set my mind to. This is what I got from reading fairy tales and watching a lot of television or telenovela. To a certain extent this was good, because thinking that I could conquer the world and have a “happily ever after,” just because life was that way, gave me the courage to try to pursue my passion, which translated to a business.
I also grew up seeing how my parents worked so hard to make life comfortable for me and my siblings. I remember my mom tagging me along to Divisoria to buy wholesale and sell retail to help my dad make ends meet.
I saw how they worked hard to send us all to good schools and make sure we didn’t have to break a sweat in going to and from school. My mom would even offer to help me with my projects. Of course, at that time, I never declined because I was sure she would do a better job than me in completing my handicrafts or science projects. Of course, they wanted me to get good grades becuase they slaved to pay for my tuition. Looking back, I grew up knowing my parents always had my back. I guess this is why I had the courage to try my hand at business too.
I think my parents wished for me to have a good life and didn’t mind having to do all the work for me. Now that I look back, I think I was spoiled to an extent.
Good thing I also saw how hard [my parents] worked to make ends meet. This is what brought me back to the reality that, with everything you set out to do, you have to work really hard and be hands on.
In contrast, I have a husband who is part of the “Generation X.” He was not spoiled or sheltered at all. He grew up with no allowance and he had to start working so he would have money to buy his lunch or whatever else he needed or wanted. He went into business with his own money after having worked as a sales agent and having learned the ropes.
I respect him a lot becasue I saw how driven and responsible he is. I remember going on dates where he would fall asleep while we were watching a movie because he was too tired after having worked all day. He would personally pick up and deliver the orders of his clients before. He just about sold anything he could sell to make a buck or two. He always believed that great service equaled repeat customers and repeat customers are the ones who will eventually give you a stable income.
The two of us work as a team for our family. We each have our own strengths. (I have my) passion, hard work and fearlessness, and my husband’s, his tenacity and determination. Much has been said about millennials, but I think the mind-set of a generation is greatly influenced by the culture he or she was exposed to. But more than the culture, what determines a person’s path or success has more to do with the personality and the choices one makes, but the awareness to one’s tendencies and generation can help one adjust to the situation and better himself or herself.
BM: As a young mother, how do you balance parenting and entrepreneurship?
SC: It helps that I do not have a nine-to-five job so I can have time to attend to my kids. Having your own business allows you to have more control of your time.
Logistically, I work very close to home, so I can just go back and forth from work and home when needed. I basically juggle being a mom and being an entrepreneur.
It also helps that I have good people working with us to help us with our business and home. I believe in delegating, because as much as I want to do everything for my kids and still be able to micromanage all the work-related things in my life, I simply cannot. Believe me, I tried.
I am at a point in my life where I know better than to burn myself out, because I want to do everything for everyone. Delegate, set realistic goals and always believe that God will not give you more than you can handle.
Another thing my husband and I think we do differently from our parents—as a result of having come from Gen X and millennial subgroups—is we try to spend time with the kids. We try to have “family bonding time” to enjoy and relax: a weekend getaway to the beach, a leisurely walk in the mall. (These are) simple things that allow us to recharge and bond as a family.
Growing up, both of us had parents who worked nonstop, so we wanted to do things a little diffrently. Our parents worked so hard to ensure our future that they forgot about themselves. Our parents often tell us to enjoy every once in a while, while you are still young and healthy. Take a breather every now and then; enjoy (life). (These are) words of wisdom from the generation before us that we are now living out in our daily lives.
Every parent, every generation only want what is best for their children. We are not saying we are doing the right thing, but we are trying our best to be good parents to our kids the best way we know how given the situation and the advice from our elders.
I sincerely hope we are doing what is best for our kids, just as I know our parents sincerely wanted to do the best for us.
Parenting styles come and go, but I believe each child and each parent is unique.
BM: What drives or motivates you to become an entrepreneur?
SC: Family! We want to provide for our family.
We want our kids to live comfortably, of course, but, more important, we want our kids to grow up believing they can be better than us. We want our kids to grow up with the means to make their own living and to provide for their own family in the future.
We believe that if our kids see how we work, they will learn the value of hard work and perseverance. I hope they will learn to be kind to people and to the environment. I hope that they will learn through the example of Echostore.
BM: What excitement or satisfaction does an Echostore licensee give you?
SC: Echostore is a social enterprise that aims to help people and the environment at the same time. I love (the business’s) ideals and what it stands for.
I am happy when my kids tell me they want to go to our store. They share ideas with me on how to improve sales and marketing. I love that the kids are involved in the process.
Echostore is composed of Chit Juan, Jeannie Javelosa and Reena Francisco. I am very fortunate to have been mentored by these three exemplary women.
I think it is my duty to continue their legacy. With the Echostore Centris, we added (the word) “Family,” as my vision is to include the children in the process of changing the world.
With Echostore Centris, I wanted to reach out to young mothers like me to go back to basics, to the young children who will be the future generation. I wanted to be able to reach out to them because, with a mission and vision like Echostore’s, we have to reach more people and we have to raise awareness.
I am happy when I get to talk to our friends and customers who share with us why they go to Echostore Centris. I am happy when I see families and friends dining heartily in the café, as their kids are playing or reading in the paly area. I am happy when I see kids eating healthy. I am happy when I see how our people at the Echostore Centris have grown with us for the past three years.
BM: As a young entrepreneur, how do you cope with the challenges?
SC: Challenges come and go. It is important to keep your focus on what is important: the people. Take care of your people, take care of the family, friends and customers. Every crease can be ironed out.
Never stop learning, changing and innovating. You have to move with the time—adjustment and adaptability is the key.
Acknowledge mistakes, (as) everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is you have learned the lesson and know better next time.
Finally, keep moving forward. The past is history, the future a mystery, the present is a gift—from the movie Kung Fu Panda. These are the words I live by or try to live by.
Image credits: Kervin Luy