Photo by Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — “Sheer determination” is one denominator that several female entrepreneurs and industry leaders had in common for them to break glass ceilings in their respective careers.

This is what several successful Filipinas told hundreds of female micro, small and medium entrepreneurs who gathered in a Parañaque mall on Saturday as they sought for tips and advice from other women who have become pioneers and bosses in their respective industries.

“It’s sheer determination and it’s sheer grit to make everything come true,” said actress Bela Padilla, who is now directing and producing her own films.

Creatives and entrepreneurs should understand that they should believe in their own products and that “there are so many ways to promote your work,” said the actress, who had to invest in the first film she wrote and produced during the pandemic.

“Keep educating yourself, the learning never stops… make sure how you deal with people is always authentic, always kind… keep on asking, keeping on showing them why they should say yes to you,” she said during the GoNegosyo Women Summit 2024.

Even veteran entrepreneurs need to keep that determination, especially when learning about new strategies to grow the business, said Margarita Fores, the owner of Cibo, who was also named as Asia’s Best Chef in 2016.

“We were forced to adapt, we were forced to learn e-commerce… and up to today even if there is no more covid, the online presence is still so big,” the restaurateur said, noting that 15 percent of their sales are from online orders.

“All the deliveries, all the online business, it’s still at a high level… The social media presence needed to be a little more stronger,” she said.

As for budding entrepreneurs and fresh graduates, having the determination to stay in one place for quite some time, instead of job hopping may also do them some good, Fores said.

“The problem with the young people today is they need to develop staying power… you have to be able to put in hard work, be able to endure and find fulfillment,” she said.

“We realized that the younger generation are the ones who have the skills to bring the business forward, but it’s also important to teach them the parts that are not tech,” she said.

Millennial designer Vania Romoff also shared the same sentiment, noting how the pool of artisan cutters and sewers in the local fashion industry has been diminished as the younger generation wishes to be designers instead of being sewers and seamstresses.

“Ang daming gustong maging designer but the problem is wala masyadong gusto maging cutters and sewers and be just that,” she said.

“The younger generation now doesn't see sewing as something they aspire for,” she said.

Romoff added that budding entrepreneurs should not be scared of starting small, noting that she used to live in her atelier because that was what she could only afford then.

Theater actress Kiara Dario advised young entrepreneurs and creatives not to feel bad if their stepping stones to success does not resemble their dream career destination, sharing that she had to work as a freelance host and a graphic designer before landing a lead role in Miss Saigon.

“If you are good at it, you will be able to earn from it,” she said.

“Just keep grabbing every opportunity. Don’t be afraid of nos because every no is a step closer to the next yes,” she said.

Voice talent Inka Magnaye said growing the business takes time, grit and patience, noting that she first traveled abroad when she was 33 years old.

“As a freelancer, if i dont move, if I don't promote myself, wala talaga,” she said.

“Things that I want, they can wait until I can afford them better… For me, my stability is more important for now,” she said.

United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson echoed these calls for Filipinas to stay determined in their respective industries.

“Turn those rejections into something even better you hope for,” Carlson said, underscoring that she has been rejected in several diplomatic posts before she ended up being the US’s envoy to the Philippines.

“Something you put in your third choice later on you realize, ‘That should have been my first choice,’” she said.

More than giving practical advice, the United States Embassy in the Philippines has been working to help educate more Filipinas who want to start and thrive in business through the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), Carlson said.

“Diversity, fairness and inclusions are qualities that make our workplaces more attractive,” she said, noting that over 350 women have graduated from the AWE program in the last 3 years.

First Lady Liza Marcos, who did not deliver a speech, led the awarding ceremony for over a dozen Filipina entrepreneurs who were able to successfully expand their businesses in the country.

MSMEs account for about 99 percent of businesses in the Philippines, according to data from the Philippine Chamber Of Commerce and Industry.

About half of these businesses are led by Filipino women, data showed.