I have a deep admiration for successful entrepreneurs who take the time to mentor others. It requires a generous and selfless spirit to share the lessons learned from years of hard work, giving others a chance to achieve their own success. Last week, I had the privilege of honoring one such individual at the 50th anniversary celebration of the company he built, R. Lapid’s Chicharon & Barbecue.
Rey C. Lapid was one of the most dedicated mentors at Go Negosyo. He generously offered his time and expertise to various programs, including the Kapatid Mentor ME program for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the Kapatid Agri Mentor ME program for agricultural entrepreneurs. Even when his schedule was packed, he made time to mentor online. He also joined our entrepreneurship tours for 3M on Wheels (formerly Mentor ME on Wheels), traveling to provinces across the Philippines. Though a man of few words, his ideas were always insightful and inspiring.
Rey joined Go Negosyo as a mentor after already achieving significant success as a businessman. His company’s journey reflects the evolution of a small venture into a large-scale, multi-franchise enterprise. Along the way, he accumulated a wealth of knowledge that he willingly shared with small business owners seeking guidance.
Rey’s entrepreneurial journey began humbly. As a young man, he collected leftover pork skin from his father’s meat stall in the Quiapo public market. From what others saw as waste, he created a thriving business that became synonymous with chicharon, a beloved Filipino snack. But Rey didn’t settle for running a backyard business. He aimed to create an internationally accredited food manufacturing company, prioritizing professional operations and strict quality standards. Confident in his product, he boldly established his first outlet outside Luzon in Cebu, competing directly with the region’s renowned chicharon makers.
Rey shared his insights in the book Eight Success Tips for Small Businesses, which Go Negosyo distributes for free. Among his advice: embrace failure as part of the path to success, use setbacks to refine your plans, exchange ideas with positive people to develop better strategies, and recognize that success takes time—progress at your own pace.
Rey passed away in 2021, but his legacy continues through his wife Violy and their children, who are growing the business while modernizing its branding. This new generation honors the past while paving the way for the future.
Mentorship seemed natural for Rey. In 2005, he began franchising his business, launching the first franchised store at the Petron NLEX station in Balagtas, Bulacan. Franchising, as Rey saw it, was a form of mentorship—a guided path for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn the ropes while being supported by experienced professionals.
The success of Rey’s network of franchises was evident during the company’s anniversary celebration. Many franchisees, dealers, distributors, and suppliers who had benefited from Rey’s guidance and business model gathered to honor his memory. The growth of R. Lapid’s was intertwined with the growth of these individuals and businesses. As I shared with his family during the event, “You are here today celebrating your 50th year because you helped many small entrepreneurs succeed.”
Rey’s life teaches an important lesson: prosperity is best when shared. For the Philippines to become an upper middle-class society, we need an inclusive economy where opportunities are accessible to all. Too many Filipinos remain trapped in poverty due to limited resources. Through entrepreneurship, we can help lift them up, transforming the cycle of poverty into a cycle of success—one where everyone’s achievements contribute to the growth of others.
At Go Negosyo, we emphasize the importance of collaboration between big businesses and MSMEs. By building a strong foundation of thriving small businesses, we create a pathway for future industry leaders—the next Jollibees, SMs, or R. Lapid’s. These businesses, in turn, will mentor and support others, creating a ripple effect of growth and opportunity.
Over nearly two decades, Go Negosyo has worked with inspiring mentors and entrepreneurs who have moved up the ladder with the help of others. Leaders like PGMA, PRRD, and PBBM have supported our mission to foster entrepreneurship and build a nation of empowered business owners.
Providing entrepreneurs with access to capital, markets, and mentorship—the “3 M’s” we champion at Go Negosyo—can transform lives and communities. Public and private sector partnerships create an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive. Together, by sharing knowledge and building connections, we can create a nation where every Filipino has the opportunity to succeed.
