AFFI stages the 16th Franchise Business Expo

Most of us would want to start our own business but are either afraid to take the plunge. It could be because we fear we may not be successful or we may not be equipped enough. The good news is that there are business mentoring made available for business enthusiasts and those who seriously wanted to start their own business. One of those groups that offer entrepreneurship mentoring as well as other things one needs to learn in order to make success in business is the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI).

 You want a confident mentor who has expertise in the skills you lack. This requires self-awareness, but big names and titles don’t always mean someone will serve as a good mentor. An “industry veteran” can be such a great help, especially early on. You want real “war time” experience where actual work and hustle was required to succeed. We were able to talk to some entrepreneurs who we think are good mentors (or advisors) and you can really learn based on how they share their own experience. The reality is that these good mentors have expertise and/or skills you need.

In a recent media conference on the AFFI’s 16^th Franchise and Business Expo which is happening from September 29 to October 1 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, a speaker highlighted the importance of making certain that a large partnership we were working on maintained momentum throughout the early stages of the process. He noted that the difference in pace between larger and smaller companies means you have to work extra hard to push faster to ensure they drive to a conclusion. When working with businesses with more time and resources, it’s your job to maintain a sense of urgency.

From L to R: Mr. Ricardo Cuna, AFFI Board of Adviser; Ms. Tess Ngan Tian, AFFI Board of Adviser; Mr. John Chung, President ; Mr. Sonny Francisco, Chairman of the Board; Ms. Anne Francisco, AFFI Assistant to the Expo Chairman.

It’s much easier to follow through on advice that comes from someone who you respect and they are living proof what you’re doing is possible no matter how impossible it may seem. This also applies to new and existing investors. Our most helpful early investors have been active, working entrepreneurs who don’t need to reach deep to empathize with our everyday challenges. They’ve been through what you have and genuinely want you to succeed as well. This kind of guidance and support is priceless!

The AFFI once again announces their 16^th Franchise and Business Expo happening from September 29 until October 1, 2017 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. One of the largest business and franchising events in the country, the AFFI’s Franchise and Business Expo also stays in tune with the seven-point strategy for the MSME growth set by the ASEAN MSME Development Summit for this year. 

Now on its 20^th year, The AFFI will be focusing on mentoring, money and markets for this year’s Franchise and Business Expo. It vows to continue empowering entrepreneurs thru informative and hands-on seminars as well as mentoring sessions from the top industry experts, CEOs and successful business owners themselves.

“For 20 years, the AFFI has been a constant champion of Filipino SMEs. The founders, who are now considered as pillars in the business and franchising community, envisioned the association to be the voice of entrepreneurs in the country. We want to continue fulfilling that vision in the coming decades,” said John Chung, AFFI’s President.

From L to R: Jelyn Chung of Acquasuisse, Marie-Joyce Co Yu (President, Trueblends); Jerry Ilao (AFFI’s immediate past president); Ricardo Cuna (AFFI Board of Adviser; President, Fiorgelato); Tess Ngan Tian (AFFI Board of Adviser); John Chung (AFFI President; President, Acquasuisse); Josephine See (President, Peanut World); Jean Carol Uvero (President, Nail It!), Anne Francisco (AFFI Assistant to the Expo Chairman); and Sonny Francisco (President, Ferino’s Bibingka).

Founder of LinkedIn - highlights the essence of the entrepreneurial challenge well when he says, “One of the metaphors that I use for startups is you throw yourself off a cliff and assemble an airplane on the way down.”

You can’t expect to assemble the plane alone; that’s where good mentors can help. This where the members of the AFFI comes in, they define the characteristics of good mentors and why they’re important to an entrepreneur’s success. So don’t miss this chance to be mentored by successful entrepreneurs themselves.