WBW 7: Successful People Work VERY HARD

Successful people work hard. Aaron Co, a childhood friend of the Buffs, a gym-aholic, proud new father, and rising young entrepreneur gives a short, honest and down-to-earth talk about this truth. He not only discusses his own work ethic, but also talks about the potency of showing a good example as the "boss" – in that other people at work will imbibe this hardworking attitude they see in their employers.

Who is Aaron Co?

If there are only two things by which Aaron Co can be described, it's that - one, he is a hard worker and, two, he puts his 100% focus and attention to everything that he does. Proof of this is the near perfect marks in math he got during 4th year high school after being motivated not to fail another quarter. Aaron also had the knack for leadership as showin in his successful stint as the class vice-president and resident bully.

Origins of a student "bum" as it may seem, but things have really changed since then. Flipping all the short-comings aside, he then focused his passion for business. While a student of Export Management at the College of St. Benilde, Aaron also managed to build a fairly successful money-making online business. After graduating in 2005, he immediately said "NO" to employment and set up his own wholesaler company in 2006 with his then-girlfriend, now wife Kriscia, whom he met in college.
 
At the start, just like any struggling entrepreneur with limited capital, Aaron and Kriscia had to do everything on their own. He stays in the warehouse all day, training and supervising the workers and checking the goods, while Kriscia would work the phone lines and take care of paperwork, essentially acting like the secretary.
 
Now the business is growing and they have hired enough personnel. They have seen the example of the working couple, and as such work hard themselves.

As childhood friends of the Buffs, we've seen how Aaron has really grown - literally and metaphorically.

When asked what's his greatest failure?

When asked what's his greatest success?

Show notes:

Startup headaches

• Started in July 2006
• Worked with his then girlfriend, now wife Kriscia
• Couldn't hire enough because of the limited capital
• He stayed in the warehouse all day long, doing whatever he could to fill in the gaps
• Money was difficult to cycle as a new company. To get business with the suppliers, they had to buy in cash, and with the buyers, they had to extend terms.

“Kung si Sir nga ganyan, kami pa. Dapat mas masipag kami kay Sir.”

• Good work ethic is infectious.
• Employers should set a good example and work hard, so that employees will imbibe the same hardworking spirit
• Acknowledgment, recognition and reward will not be far away when people work hard.

Lesson

Work hard. Even when you think no one is acknowledging it. Sooner or later, it will get noticed and rewarded.

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