Life, Family, Career, Investing, and Business Lessons from John Gokongwei, Jr.—The Big John

​The late John Gokongwei, Jr., often known as "Big John," passed away in 2019, yet his legacy and business wisdom live on in other business owners.

Did you know that John Gokongwei, Jr., started his entrepreneurial career with a bicycle?

The most important factor of all for long life is a good family.

Who is John Gokongwei, Jr.?

​John Gokongwei, Jr., who was born in Fujian, China, in 1926, was raised in Cebu City by affluent parents. While his father started a movie theater business, his grandpa, Pedro Gotianco, was a prosperous owner of agricultural mills in the area.

However, Gokongwei's lifestyle shifted from one of luxury to poverty with the start of World War II and the passing of his father when he was only 13 and left with nothing. As the eldest child, he had to be the man of the house to support his family. He had to quit going to school, and he rode his bike to the market every morning, where he sold peanuts, soap, candles, and other items on consignment on Cebu's streets in order to make ends meet.

Later, he transported his goods to Manila by ferry and sold them there. He kept doing this until he had saved enough cash to open his own shop.

​​John Gokongwei Jr. has passed away at the age of 93. Today, John Gokowei, Jr., inherited these business units and affiliates that belong to his family, and they continue to grow: Universal Robina Corporation, Robinsons Land Corporation, Cebu Air, Inc., Robinsons Bank Corporation, and JG Summit Holdings, Inc. JG Summit Olefins Corp., PLDT, Inc., Manila Electric Company, Gotyme Bank, and SingaporeLand.

How did he achieve them? Here are some pieces of wisdom from Big John.

Family and Relationships

• Have dinner together at home.
• Take care of your siblings.
• Spend as much time as you can with your family.
• Exchange stories at the dinner table.
• Learn how to share.
• Know your roots.
• Choose the right partner.
• Spend time raising your kids properly.
• Don't give your children a sense of entitlement; make them earn it.

The most important decision you have to make
in your life is whom you’re going to marry.
That decision will dictate the rest of your life,
​whether you will have a happy life or a miserable one.

Career

• "It's never too late to get an education." Invest in education.
• Help educate others.
• If you don't work, you don't eat.
• Don't be beholden to anyone.
• Stay cool under pressure.

Investing and Business

• Never put all your eggs in one basket.
• Know what your customers need.
• Don't be afraid to be the David among the Goliaths.
• Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.
• Hire the best you can afford (professionals).
• If you learn to negotiate, you can get a better deal.

​Remember the story of David and Goliath?
Every industry has its Goliath.
But every David knows that all giants have their weaknesses.
Every weakness is an opportunity.

​Ground zero meant living by our wits alone;
ground zero meant starting equal;
ground zero was where I discovered I was an entrepreneur.

Leadership

• Women are as smart and strong as men, maybe even more.
• Lead by example.
• Be a team player.
• Take care of your people.
• Learn from differences of opinion.
• Stay humble.
• Dream big.

Personal Growth and Development

• It's okay to make mistakes.
• Everyone encounters disappointments.
• Learn to move on.
• March to the beat of your own drum.
• Be open to change.
• Get enough sleep and stop smoking and drinking.
• Live simply and exercise.