By Armando “BUTZ” Bartolome
In one of the conferences I was invited, I heard a speaker say entrepreneurs are Stewarts and not owners. As I pondered on his statement, I must say there is truth in it. Starting a business may not be for all. More so in growing and making it successful is another thing. We have seen many enterprises, which come and go. Everyone may dream of getting into business and making so much money to last more than a lifetime.
However, the dream may just remain a dream. Those who pursued will agree that the beginning was uphill. At times, there are those I know who almost gave up due to heavy pressures. What may be the anchor was their passion and seeing a potential, which others may not. Pressures can be in many forms like financial losses as real RED figures on every financial statement, inconsistent quality output, and too many customer complaints. Perfecting a business is ideal. I have yet to hear somebody say that his business is already perfect with no need for any changes at all.
This article is a tribute to a great entrepreneur with a passion to help others. Two years ago, as my family and I were preparing to attend Church services, I saw an SMS from my friend Philip Huang. When I opened it I was as if in a frozen state for our dear friend Brendan Yu suddenly passed away. For many who may not know him, Brendan who was about to turn 51 years by the 10th of August, was a combination of sorts. Well, let me explain. First, he made his way by becoming a working student. A graduate of electrical engineering, he worked in Jollibee as a rank and file. Later was promoted and had a stint as a part of the management team assigned in Taiwan. There were other businesses he did establish. By hard work, he was able to invest and became a franchisee of Jollibee in Batangas City. Not only was he contented with one, but he also got another branch, which is not so far away from his previous.
He won the much-coveted title of being Jollibee Franchisee of the Year for 2008. This meant he surpassed the set benchmarks set by the franchiser. Brendan never stopped working on his businesses. His branches are well managed because he empowered his employees to think like an entrepreneur.
However, one distinct characteristic of this person was his love for teaching. I just didn’t know how he juggled his time, but you wouldn’t believe he was teaching in College of Saint Benilde (CSB), Enderun College, and University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P). Every time we meet even for coffee, which he loved, he would be working on his sturdy laptop doing his lesson plan. On top of it, he was fond of keeping himself updated by purchasing books.
In one of our get together, I asked him why he spent a great deal of time teaching. Without batting an eye Brendan said “no better legacy can be left to the new generation but to teach the practices of being in business.’ ‘And a better teacher should be the one who practices what he preaches.” He further added that it is not because students are enrolled in better schools that success is expected but more of the applications the student absorbed. These were such great words of wisdom, which today has remained implanted among the hundreds of students of these schools he taught.
The country indeed lost a brilliant mind in his person. However, I believe Brendan set an example for many entrepreneurs to share and share-alike. Almost every time I invite him to give a talk, he would even beat me in arriving much earlier in the venue. He developed such skill of making his audience laugh to their hearts’ content yet realized a lesson to remember. He did touch the lives of many not just students in those schools mentioned but from all walks of life including fellow entrepreneurs.
As Stewarts of business, we have to review how far we have guided and molded people in our business to take over. The life we have is on borrowed time. Nobody can predict when The Almighty can call for us. What matters is how far and excellent have we been taking care of the talents, skills and money God has shared with us?
To Brendan Yu, your efforts are not wasted. I am sure all your hundreds of students who are graduates will be creating multiplier effects of what you taught them. You did teach and inspire me too, you know that. Your words will always echo in our hearts and minds despite challenges! Adios Bossing!