Inspiring Thoughts From The Happy Entrepreneur

 

As I have mentioned in my previous article, I would like to share very successful and inspiring entrepreneurs. that I have met for the past years. I think the right person to honestly give the right push to everyone who wishes to be successful in like. I am so happy to have known this gentleman as I also see myself in him. The struggles that we had are real. And there was no stopping him from pursuing his advocacy. This phenomenal and award-winning author of the best-selling inspirational books. Such as “Happy Entrepreneur,” “Real Men are Pogi,” and the #1 national best-selling book, “Ang Pera na Hindi Bitin.” A sought-after inspirational speaker is a proud father to a 3-month old Elijah from his wife, the former beauty queen, Miriam Quiambao.

When we think of starting a business, most people have how they can multiply their money. Without realizing that we are all human beyond all the numbers, we wish to escalate our bank accounts for a short time. We need the proper guidance on remaining “human” after being exposed to such fame and fortune. Suffice it to say that being in business is not always about money. It is also about keeping your faith and being a person of inspiration to others.

I had the pleasure to interview Mr. Ardy Roberto, a co-Angelpreneur and the strong man behind such inspiring books. Through this, you may also feel the need to strengthen your faith and believe that everything is possible when you know what to do and how to do it at the right time.

Business Mentor: Describe what your typical day is like.

Ardy Roberto: Now that I have a newborn and have started homeschooling my eldest (since Miriam is hands-on with Elijah and breastfeeding), my typical day, I start the day at around 6:30 am-7: 00 am engaging my baby, burping him, playing, and sunning him. If I’m able to wake up by 5:00 am or 5:30 am, I do some quiet time, read the Bible and write.

We all have breakfast fast together and …

Then I start homeschooling with Joshua (11, son from a previous marriage) by 8:30 am, or 9:00 am until lunchtime. Miriam and I started a new business in Alabang, called The Learning Hub by HomeSchool Global. We are one of three partners.

Then we all have lunch together at home.

After lunch, I play a game of chess with Joshy while we have dessert.

If he’s not finished yet with his subjects, he does independent study. At the same time, I go through and make calls, emails, or meetings to attend to my businesses. (Sugar Manna Food Ventures/Tubo Cane Juice, ardyroberto.com, Learning Hub, speaking, I sold Salt and Light Ventures and most of Inspire, so I’m not hands-on there anymore). I have an operations manager who looks at the day-to-day, so that helps a lot.

There are days when I bring Joshy to his Mental Maths Classes. At CMA or Music Classes at The Learning Hub or PE at the Palms Country Club, I get him at my talks. This serves as the school also as he learns from the seminars and interaction with clients and people. Joshy also does my YouTube live streams for me. If I’m not with him, then otherwise, I prefer to be home by dinner time to have dinner with the family.

We have devotions (bible study) or play board games or walk the dogs after dinner. Miriam and I take turns in putting Josh to bed and reading the Bible and devotion with him. We talk a lot and just laugh and perhaps tickle or do crazy stuff.

I go back to my den to write or work after Josh is asleep. and then chat and talk with the wife before we call it a night (but now it’s usually feeding and burping the baby every two hours until we watch the sunrise…)

Business Mentor: Who/What influenced you to start your business?

Ardy Roberto: I read many books when I was young, and the success stories of different entrepreneurs inspired me. When I got out of college, I also worked for an entrepreneur, Larry J Cruz, the restaurateur. And I was exposed to that too. I had college buddies, and we’d talk a lot about business. A dorm mate, Bobby Bolongaita from P&G, invited me to start our own retail business and concert promotion. My dad was a professor at DLSU and then aimed. He did a lot of marketing research work for entrepreneurs like Tony Tan Caktiong of Jollibee and Cecilio Pedro of Happee and the founders of Unilab, and more. His stories about them inspired me also. My second boss, Ashok Nath, was the publisher and founder of World Executive’s Digest. He’s training me to be intrapreneurial — running the books department like it was my own business–was also very influential. Finally, my first late wife, Tingting Roberto, was very entrepreneurial also. We were partners when we started Salt & Light Ventures. This award-winning learning events company brought in speakers like John Maxwell, Al Ries, Jay Levinson, Tom Peters, etc.

I’m blessed because my wife now, Miriam, is not just beautiful but brains also. She has a sound mind for business and runs a real estate company while helping me out with our food businesses and the Learning Hub.

Business Mentor: What were your most significant failures? How do you handle difficult situations?

Ardy Roberto: I’ve had many failures. But, the first big one–when I lost all my capital and savings. It was an encounter with God for me because it taught me to trust in God instead of myself. In difficult situations, I remember Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Business Mentor: What keeps you going when things get tough?

Ardy Roberto: My faith, my wife, my sons. God will also usually send a mentor or a friend my way who will speak life to me and get me going again. Just like Timothy to Eddie in my latest book, The Happy Entrepreneur.

Business Mentor: How has been an entrepreneur affected your personal life?

Ardy Roberto: It’s given me not just financial freedom, but time freedom. Being an entrepreneur constantly tests and molds your character.  

Business Mentor: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Ardy Roberto: Humility is my strength. Pride is my weakness.

Business Mentor: What do you think are the three top skills that an entrepreneur should possess?

Ardy Roberto: More than skills, it’s a mindset of true success. The mindset of loving your people, your customers, your business as a God-given vocation. 2) Having a mindset of integrity… 3) and having a mindset of faith.

Then hone your leadership skills, communication skills, and money management skills.

Business Mentor: What lessons have you learned through your entrepreneurial journey?

Ardy Roberto: Business is a trust. That I am a steward. God has given me the ability to create wealth, so I must be a good steward because I don’t own the business. It really belongs to God.

Family first before business. Many successful entrepreneurs have told me they would gladly exchange all the material gains and successes for happy family life. Don’t sacrifice family for business success.  Success in business X failure in family = emptiness. So, zero pa rin. Failure in the family is a multiplier of ZERO in everything else.

Business Mentor: What was your most satisfying moment?

Ardy Roberto: Realizing that I have choices. That I have time, freedom, and freedom to pursue my God-given passions and assignments.

Business Mentor: What is your next step?

Ardy Roberto: Wait on the Lord.  

There are two F’s that have become an integral part of Ardy Roberto’s life – Family and Faith. He admits being very busy with his work but still finds quality time with his family. I salute men who can still be in touch with the family despite how their line of work may require so much time. His secret formula is why he is such a compelling, inspirational speaker and author because of his strong bond with his wife. And the Lord that allows him to keep on going to reach out to many people.

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For questions and more information, you may contact Armando “Butz” Bartolome.

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