“The only dream you should make is to never quit” – Steve Sy, Founder and CEO of Great Deals E-commerce Corporation.
Thus said the founder and CEO of the country’s top revenue-generating startup to the students and teachers of MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) in the Wide Awake webinar entitled “Emerge: Be the CEO of Your Life” last November 18, 2021.
Speaking before the junior and senior high school students of MGCNLCA, Sy started off by narrating his life experiences, particularly his rollercoaster business journey, which resulted in years of bankruptcy and debt. He voiced his struggles and worries during this period as a husband and a father of four, where he said, “it became so bad that, at some point, I was buying NFA rice just to feed my family.”
However, learning from his mistakes, Sy once again started a new business venture with Great Deals E-commerce Corporation, with his “desert experience” of being in debt proving to be a blessing in disguise, as this made his faith even stronger. The challenges of the pandemic notwithstanding, thinking of the consumer’s needs motivated Sy to work harder in building up his company to become the number one e-commerce distributor of the Philippines.
“Life is not all about making money but giving back the glory to God,” Sy expressed, crediting his current achievements to the Lord. “God's word has always been a part of my life, my faith, whether in need or abundance,” he added.
Sy aligned his experience to the “bamboo principle,” symbolizing the slow and seemingly unfruitful success. Bamboo trees require a few years before observable growth. However, Sy explained that during this period of “fruitlessness,” the roots are established and are strengthened, growing into abundant bamboo. He urged Newlifers to be like the bamboo – to secure one's foundation and delay gratification, all the while reminding the students of the sacrifices, pain, and challenges needed in the road to success.
The webinar concluded with a question-and-answer portion, where Sy expounded on his interest in e-commerce, in starting a business, on God’s work in his life, and on the essence of being a good leader. He also advised students to work on their soft skills, such as improving their adversity quotient and learning how to deal with people. “I found my courage by being encouraged,” concluded Sy.
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