6 success tips for women entrepreneurs

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Although starting a business can be a difficult undertaking, it may be even more challenging for women. Often, unequal access to funding limits the best business concepts from women to be actualized, despite their skillset and potential for increased revenue.

GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon

In a webinar entitled, “Is VC Funding for Women Founders Getting Any Better?” organized by DealStreetAsia, a Singapore-based financial news website, women founders of startups shared their insights on addressing the gender disparity in venture capital (VC) funding. Among the panelists was Martha Sazon, president and CEO of GCash, the Philippines’ leading mobile wallet which saw exponential customer growth during the pandemic and now has 46 million users.

During the event, Sazon shared nuggets of wisdom gained through years of experience in overcoming business challenges and achieving entrepreneurial success. Read on as the woman who helped propel GCash to become the county’s number 1 e-wallet shares 6 success tips for aspiring women entrepreneurs.

1. Build your network. “Everything starts off with connection,” said Sazon. Finding a community of fellow women entrepreneurs can offer you connection, networking and support while going through the ups and downs of starting your business. She explained that it’s important to have someone who holds you accountable while having your back. The GCash leader also acknowledged her network which includes other GCash executives who saw her potential beyond her gender.

2. Build your business' track record. Sazon said that although connections matter in gaining access to capital funding, your business track record should tell a good story on how well you can sustain your business. “Your investors should be aware of what you do, what you know and what you stand for,” she added.

3. Substance and credibility make a huge difference. In order for investors to take notice of your startup, Sazon said it’s important to be thoroughly prepared during business pitches and negotiations. Although some people might try to be confident and just “wing it,” Sazon advises aspiring entrepreneurs to do their homework, be prepared, and make sure to always have substance and credibility when speaking.

4. Find a mentor. Mentorship helps women entrepreneurs make better decisions. Sazon said it’s vital to educate women in high school so they take the right course in college, arming them with the tools to eventually start a business. “Young girls should be given more right visual cues that women can succeed wherever they set their mind to,” she said.

5. Support other women. There are easy ways for women-led startups to thrive, such as creating chat groups or building organizations to support fellow women entrepreneurs. “We need to be more conscious of supporting women and amplify diversity more.”

6. Communicate and believe in your purpose. Credibility also shows when a woman entrepreneur is rooted in something deeper. “Articulate your purpose and believe in it. It will make you more bulletproof on the hurdles that may come along the way,” said Sazon. She added, “Be unfazed. Trust your capability. Trust your talent and you'll get there.”

Sazon revealed that her purpose is to help Filipinos’ everyday life become better. She is leading GCash with the “Finance for All” vision by providing convenient and affordable digital products for Pinoys such as “Send Money,” “Bank Transfer,” “Pay Bills’ and more on the GCash app.

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.

Limited Edition: A Different Kind of Everlasting Love

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Once upon a time, three fine gentlemen named Jethro, Arnold and Mario, figure in a different kind of love, complete with its many saccharine trappings, weep-triggering tribulations and promise of happily ever after which are all in “Limited Edition.”

Andrew Gan, Ron Angeles and Jomari Angeles

“Limited Edition” is a romantic drama about finding one’s elusive and everlasting love with a love triangle story arc that gives it more kilig, heartstrings pull, and a fairy-tale like conclusion of who ends up with who.

“What makes him lovable is his innocence and simplicity,” says Jomari Angeles about Mario. “Not all of us are born with the right knowledge about life and love right away. He is a hopeless romantic and pag pag nakuha na ang loob niya or pagna-inlove na siya bibigay niya ang lahat sa kanyang partner.”

Andrew Gan, on being Jethro enthuses: “The most challenging part about being him is how to feel like him, to live in his shoes, and give justice to that feeling of falling in love with another young man. I want to be truthful lalo na pag naramdaman na niya na he is in love with Mario.”

Andrew Gan and Joamri Angeles

“Well, his only fault is that he fell in love with Mario as well,” declares Ron Angeles who is Arnold. “I should say my being a pambansang third wheel is solidified and becomes a notch higher in this romantic BL drama. Ilalaban ko talaga yung feelings ko for Mario and my character has sincere and pure intentions.”

Director Jill Singson Urdaneta avers: “The process of love and loving, of being loved and in love, everyone who will give us their time and support, they will witness it in Limited Edition. The many discoveries about one’s self, insecurities exposed, that willingness to compromise and sacrifice, to make a relationship work because all relationships need a lot of work and commitment to make it work. All these and more, are in this drama about romantic connections and everlasting possibilities.”

Other cast members are Donna Cariaga (Chona, Mario’s best friend), Michelle Jhoie Ferraris: as Mamita, Mario's nanay nanayan Miss Iyah Mina: Ivory, Mamita's rival Miss Yayo Aguila: Jethro's mom Miss Ruby Ruiz: Mario's mom Introducing are Anton Arceo, Aaron Concepcion, Celine Dorado and Luke Hembling

Story by Bernard Umali, screen play written John Fontanos with Jill Singson Urdaneta as its director. Produced by world-famous shoe designer Jojo Bragais, with Michelle Jhoie Ferraris as co-producer.

“Limited Edition” starts airing on October 2, 8pm, Saturday, on BRAGAIS TV.

BRAGAIS TV is an online channel for fun and entertainment for Filipinos.

It’s a GDay with foodpanda! Globe partners with foodpanda for G Music Fest & G Legends Cup

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As 917 celebrations continue for the month of September, Globe is partnering with foodpanda to indulge their customers with exclusive treats, discounts, and prizes at Globe's G Legends Cup Finals on September 22 and G Music Fest this September 25 and 26.

In line with its 917 GDay celebration and as a way of showing appreciation to its loyal customers, both events will be aired for FREE exclusively on Globe’s official pages - this time with bigger surprises and more special treats from foodpanda.

To better enjoy the livestream of the G Legends Cup Finals and the G Music Fest, foodpanda has prepared three special one-day-only promo codes for customers to choose from. They have GDAYEATS for free delivery with a minimum order of P200, GDAYSHOP for a P60 discount on foodpanda shops and pandamart with a minimum order of P300, and HAPPYGDAY for a P50 discount, minimum order of P250. These codes will only be available during the livestream on September 22 and 26, which customers can use on the foodpanda app before checking out.

“Our partnership with foodpanda is an extension of our gifts to bring joy and uplift the spirits of our loyal customers. We are happy to have them onboard for our two most looked forward to events, the G Legends Cup and the G Music Fest. We hope that our customers enjoy these activities and the exclusive treats that we and our partners have prepared,” said Bianca Wong, Head of Globe’s Feel Valued Tribe.

Gamers from all over the country will battle for glory as they participate in G Legends Cup, an amateur gaming tournament exclusive for Globe mobile and broadband customers aged 16 years old and above. Each team will get a chance to win the grand prize of P100,000 GCash that they can share not only with their team but also with their chosen community beneficiary.

Mobile Legends fans can also win big prizes of up to P2,000 foodpanda vouchers and other prizes when they join exciting side activities as they tune in on the finals of G Legends Cup on September 22, Tuesday from 3pm - 10pm via G Legends Cup 2021 Facebook Page.

Meanwhile music fans will be treated to two days of heart-to-heart online gathering with up-close interviews and performances from local and international musical acts on September 25 and 26 via the Globe Official Facebook Page

The full line-up of G Music Fest this year includes English electronic music duo HONNE, singer-songwriter BEKA, Australian artist Vance Joy, local pop band Silent Sanctuary, indie-pop bands December Avenue and Alamat, indie musical artist I Belong to the Zoo, Filipino rock band The Juans, and SB19—the very first Filipino and Southeast Asian act nominated at the Billboard Music Awards.

Globe and TM customers can redeem 2GB free data through the new GlobeOne App exclusively for the concert. After registering, the free data can be redeemed under the Rewards section of the app.

Globe is committed to upholding the United Nations Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG).

To know more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Groundbreaking Marketing University Upskills NutriAsia’s Organization

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In line with its commitment to invest in and further hone the people driving its success, NutriAsia, the Philippines’ leading manufacturer and distributor of condiments and sauces, has launched its first Marketing master course, the NutriAsia Marketing University (NMU).

Anchored on NutriAsia’s core value of excellence, the NMU is a bespoke program developed in partnership with business development firm Acumen Strategy Consultants. It is designed to hone its participants to become exceptional, world-class marketers that consistently deliver results through strategic brand-building & business fluency.

The NMU officially began its pre-scheduled classes last 24 August 2021. It is structured to function as an actual university, with classes, case studies, homework, and group work to be accomplished by its students. Courses will be facilitated by industry-renowned marketing experts and practitioners who will share their knowledge and expertise on effectively and efficiently navigating the grinding parts of the business.

The pioneer batch of NMU is composed of the NutriAsia Marketing team members together with select, high-performing internal stakeholders from other departments such as Food Service, Demand Management Team, Finance, and New Business Development. The company firmly believes that its people are its most important asset, which is why NutriAsia is giving them the opportunity to enhance their skillsets and broaden their knowledge, equipping them with better capabilities to respond effectively to consumer needs, especially in today’s dynamic and volatile market landscape.

“At NutriAsia, we put much value on our people,” said NutriAsia’s Chief Marketing Officer Ampy Rio. “This is why we want to further the growth of our people as exemplary leaders, renowned in the industry for their commitment and dedication to excellence through the NutriAsia Marketing University.”

With the valuable training its employees will receive, NutriAsia guarantees that the future generations of business leaders and movers will maintain the company’s high quality of products and, in turn, continue to provide Filipinos with the Masarap, Masaya moments they’ve come to love from the brand.

NutriAsia is the Philippines’ leading producer, marketer & distributor of high-quality sauces and condiments. It is also home to iconic Filipino brands like UFC, Mang Tomas, Golden Fiesta, Papa, Mafran, and Jufran. 

Follow NutriAsia on Facebook and Instagram for more information and updates.

Globe, Pinas Forward educate over 2,000 students on cybersafety

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With the rising risks and dangers of the online world, Globe partnered with social movement Pinas Forward (PF) to guide students around the country on ways to protect themselves from numerous threats posed by the Internet.

Just this past month, over 2,000 students joined Pinas Forward’s free webinar E-ligtas: Blocking The Dangers of the Online World. It is part of Pinas Forward’s goal to build a nation led by a new generation of leaders who are inspiring, intelligent, digitally aware, and driven towards positive change.

“By spreading awareness on these threats, how they might present, and what actions to take, we are not only protecting our audience but also the most vulnerable links in the chain such as children and minors, among others,” said Shai Laman, Project Manager of Pinas Forward.

Apple Evangelista, Globe Head for Sustainability and Social Responsibility added, “By working together with like-minded organizations such as Pinas Forward, we hope to equip the public with the knowledge to keep themselves safe from online perils, especially at this time when we are very dependent on digital tools for work, learning, and entertainment.”

The webinar aimed to help the youth recognize potentially unsafe online situations and behaviors and equip them with the knowledge they need to combat these threats.

It also tackled teenage pregnancy brought about by online activities and irresponsible or uninformed dating app usage, cyberbullying, dealing with poser accounts, and catfishing.

Through its #makeITsafePH campaign, Globe aims to help the public remain safe from cybersecurity threats that put multi-million-peso businesses at risk and cyber attacks on individual accounts such as identity theft, fraud and hacking, among others.

Through workshops and e-modules under its Digital Thumbprint Program, Globe educates teachers, parents, and students about digital citizenship and responsibility. Key topics include online safety and security, etiquette and responsibility, critical thinking, and digital empowerment.

Aside from education and information dissemination, Globe supports government’s initiatives to fight online child pornography with a $2.7 million investment in a content filtering system.

At the same time, the company provides digital platforms such as the Toll-free Bantay Bata (#163), and mental health support facilities - Toll-free HopeLine, KonsultaMD, and HealthNow.

Globe also invests in local and international partnerships for its child protection advocacy. They include Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (CCCP). There is also support for the #SaferKidsPH campaign which looks to maximize awareness on protection measures when it comes to Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

The company strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development, and UN SDG 17, which highlights the value of partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals. Globe is committed to upholding the United Nations Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.