Empowering A New Generation Of Female Entrepreneurs

Before MFT CEO and co-founder Mica F. Tan established her multinational private equity firm, she was a persistent and single-minded teenager who would cut class from time to time and tiptoe to the offices of some of the financial industry’s barons, her mentors, for the realization of her entrepreneurial dreams.

As she recognize the pivotal role of mentorship in achieving entrepreneurs’ inclusive growth, Tan joined the Go Negosyo’s flagship entrepreneurial campaign, Mentor Me on Wheels as one of the women mentors to conduct free one-on-one mentoring sessions and consultations with women micro to small and aspiring entrepreneurs last February 28 at SM Megamall.

“At my age, a lot of people are intrigued how I am able to manage a company that handles million-dollar deals, and I always say it is because of the guidance of my past mentors and the continuous mentorship of the dream team that I’ve assembled. With every learning session and skill that I gain from my mentors and team, we double the odds of our company’s success,” said Tan.

Tan focused on discussing entrepreneurial behaviors that help propel businesses to success. She introduced the importance of entrepreneurial mind-setting and marketing as a core foundation and strategy in building competitive advantage in business, as well as accessing the market through different channels.

With the challenges that small enterprises are facing because of the lack of the right level of financial support and technical capacity, Tan also discussed the financial resources that they could take advantage of to achieve their growth goals. She also talked about accounting and taxation as fundamentals of financial statements, as well as tax concepts and principles relevant to their businesses.

Tan was joined by more than 100 women industry thought leaders and icons, including Alice Eduardo, WOMEN 2020 Summit Co-chair of Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corporation; Rosalind Wee of W Group of Companies; Emma Imperial of Imperial Homes; Myrna Yao of Richprime Global Inc.; Olivia Aw of Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc.; Sherill Quintana of Philippine Franchise Association & Orsypa; Siu Ping Par of PR Gaz; Rissa Mananquil-Trillo of Happy Skin; Bing Limjoco of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Marga Nograles of Kaayo Modern Mindanao; Flor Tariella of Philippine National Bank; Yati Abdulah of DHL Express Philippines; Rose Marie Ong of Wilcon Depot; Marife Zamora of Convergys; Chiqui Go of Mansmith Fielders Inc.; Anna Meloto-Wilk of Human Nature; Jenny Wieneke of Tokyo Tempura; and among others.

As part of the 15th year anniversary of Go Negosyo, the special leg of Mentor Me on Wheels also aims to escalate the organization’s vision to bring mentorship closer to startups and aspiring entrepreneurs. “These efforts aim to guide entrepreneurs in every step of their journey—helping them start, grow, and solve the problems of their negosyos,” said Go Negoso founder Joey Concepcion.