Henry Ong: 'Anyone Can Succeed as an Entrepreneur with a Marketable Idea and Discipline'
We read Henry Ong's "Financial Adviser" column twice a week on Esquire Philippines, where he shares insights from the country's top business leaders, including heads of conglomerates, construction magnates, and retail giants. Since he began his journey as a business columnist, Mr. Ong has interviewed and written about over a hundred influential figures. With such a wealth of knowledge and a dedicated readership, creating a book from his work is the next logical step.
The book, aptly titled "Five Business Lessons: Principles on Success from the Philippines' Top Business Leaders," was launched yesterday, February 1, at Fully Booked in Bonifacio Global City. Impressively, even before the launch, the first print run had already sold out, something that didn't surprise us at Esquire Philippines. Mr. Ong has built a loyal readership over the years and continues to attract new admirers every day.
Writers and editors at Summit Media had a chance to have a little chat with Mr. Ong before the launch, and we found out that he is a financial consultant by profession. He earned his Masters in Business Administration at Spain's Universidad Católica de San Antonio Murcia, and attended advanced management and executive programs at Columbia Business School in New York, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago, and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Writing came unexpectedly for Mr. Ong in the mid-2000s. After being interviewed as a resource person for an article by Entrepreneur magazine, he received an invitation to write about finance and accounting for entrepreneurs. Initially reluctant, he admits, "I said, I don't know how to write. The editor gave me some tips, and I explored other stories, which is how it all began," he shares.
The editor of Entrepreneur initially provided him with questions frequently asked by entrepreneurs, leading them to name his column "Financial Adviser." As the column transitioned from a monthly to a weekly feature, he needed to devise more engaging ways to present his articles. This challenge inspired the creation of the "5 Business Lessons" format.
Following the closure of Entrepreneur magazine, Mr. Ong's column found a new home in Esquire Philippines, where it has impressively thrived for over a decade.
Henry Ong with Summit Books' Editor-in-Chief, Lio Mangubat, at the launch and book signing of "Five Business Lessons: Principles on Success From the Philippines’ Top Business Leaders," held at Fully Booked in Bonifacio Global City.
A Book for Everyone
The book aims to resonate with a broad audience. "Our goal is to reach millennials, Gen Z, and everyone from seasoned business tycoons to those just beginning their journey," says the finance expert.
The book features conversations with 21 individuals, from tycoons to successful startup entrepreneurs. These include William Belo (Wilcon), Walther Buenavista (Shawarma Shack), Sid Consunji (DMCI Holdings), Ana Lorenzana De Ocampo (Wildflour), Rikki Dee (FooDee Concepts), Vic Del Rosario (Viva Entertainment), and Atty. Felipe Gozon (GMA Network).
For the book, Mr. Ong also spoke to the late Rey Lapid (R. Lapid’s Chicharon), Wilson Ledesma (Mann Hann), Mariano Manas (Hen Lin), Abba Napa (Moment Group), Nonoy Quimbo (Novellino Wines), Edgar Saavedra (Megawide), Renato Sio (Sanicare), Kim and Abi Sy (BLK 513), Danilo Tamayo (DDT Konstract), Tommany Tan (i-FERN), Joel Torre (JT’s Manukan), and Dennis Anthony Uy (Converge).
"What I did was I tried to balance the content so we could cater to different market segments," he explains, adding that the print edition includes content not found online.
"What do you hope readers will take away from the lessons shared in your book?" we ask.
"Five business lessons times 21. That's 105 [learnings]," he says, smiling. "Wala tayong sinayang na space dito. Straight from the horse's mouth, ika nga. Parang naririnig niyo'ng nagsasalita mismo ang mga business leaders na ito."
Ong firmly believes in the power of face-to-face interactions when conducting his interviews. “It's always face-to-face. I don't agree if someone suggests emailing instead," he says. Each session offers him fresh insights, adding depth to his already extensive understanding.
Typically, Ong requests an hour to an hour and a half for his interviews. But if he finds the conversation particularly engaging, the interview sometimes extends to two or even three hours.
Mangubat adds that the book is also a valuable read for business students because, as they go through it, they will discover both the personalities and personal journeys of the individuals featured. Furthermore, Mr. Ong made sure that the tips are written in bite-sized format, to make them easier to understand.
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Lessons for Filipino Entrepreneurs
Mr. Ong, a businessman himself, shares key lessons he believes Filipino entrepreneurs should learn: "You don't need a lot of money to start a business. Some people say they don't have wealthy parents or huge amount of savings. That's okay. You can start small and grow big. With even small savings, a marketable idea, and personal discipline, you can succeed."
He continues, "A college diploma is not a requirement to be a successful entrepreneur. Some people I know didn't attend college or earn a degree. Some are dropouts, yet they became very successful. Why? Because they had a great idea and a solid strategy. They knew how to execute their plans."
It's also important to believe in your idea, not be easily discouraged, and not hesitate to ask for help from others. "When you are in business, you should not be embarrassed to ask questions. You have to keep asking and learn to master your business," Mr. Ong stresses.
