Henry Sy

Henry Sy is one of the most renowned and influential entrepreneurs in the

Philippines. Born to a poor family in Fujian, China, Sy migrated to the
Philippines at a young age. He began his entrepreneurial journey by helping his
father in their sari-sari store (small convenience store) in Manila.
At 12 years-old, he arrived in Manila with only 10 centavos in his pocket (worth
about P120 in today's money). While the amount was not much for a young boy
in a big city, for Tatang, it was enough for the start he needed—not to start a
business, but to start dreaming of a better future.
In 1958, Henry Sy opened his first shoe store in Quiapo, Manila. Despite facing
initial challenges, such as competition from established brands, Sy persevered
and focused on offering affordable yet quality footwear to the Filipino masses.
This venture laid the foundation for what would later become SM Investments
Corporation, one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines.
Sy's business acumen and determination led him to expand beyond shoes. He
diversified into retail, real estate, banking, and other industries. He pioneered
the development of malls in the Philippines, establishing SM City North EDSA
in 1985, which became the country's largest shopping mall at that time.
Over the years, Henry Sy's empire continued to grow exponentially, with SM
Investments Corporation becoming a dominant force in the Philippine economy.
His innovative business strategies, customer-centric approach, and commitment
to excellence propelled him to great success.
Despite his immense wealth and success, Henry Sy remained humble and
committed to philanthropy. He established the SM Foundation, which focuses
on education, healthcare, and community development initiatives across the
Philippines. Henry Sy's legacy as a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist
continues to inspire generations of Filipinos.

Elon Musk

Elon Musk, although not originally from the Philippines, is a globally renowned
entrepreneur whose impact transcends borders. Born in South Africa, Musk
immigrated to the United States and co-founded several revolutionary
companies, including PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and The Boring
Company.
Musk's entrepreneurial journey began with Zip2, an online city guide software
company he co-founded in 1996. After selling Zip2, Musk went on to co-found
X.com, which later became PayPal, revolutionizing online payment systems and
making transactions more accessible and secure.
With the proceeds from the sale of PayPal, Musk pursued his ambitious vision
of transforming the automotive industry. He founded Tesla, Inc., with the goal
of accelerating the world's transition to sustainable energy through electric
vehicles and renewable energy solutions. Despite facing skepticism and
numerous challenges, Tesla has become a leader in electric vehicles, pioneering
innovations in battery technology and autonomous driving.
Musk's other ventures include SpaceX, which aims to make space travel more
accessible and affordable, and Neuralink, focused on developing brain-
computer interface technology. His relentless drive, bold vision, and willingness
to take risks have earned him a reputation as one of the most influential
entrepreneurs of the 21st century.
Through his groundbreaking ventures, Elon Musk has not only reshaped
industries but has also inspired millions of people worldwide to dream big and
pursue ambitious goals, making him a truly iconic figure in the realm of
entrepreneurship.
Elon Musk, on the other hand, had a different trajectory. Musk co-founded Zip2,
an online city guide software for newspapers, with his brother Kimbal Musk in
1995. They started the company with only $28,000, including $2,000 from Elon
himself. The company was eventually sold in 1999 for over $300 million.