MANILA, Philippines - The vice chairperson of the SM Group is one of Asia's top 50 power businesswomen, according to Forbes magazine.
Teresita Sy-Coson, 61, started to learn the shoe trade at eight years old, helping to tend to their family's store in downtown Manila. She decided to sell shoes at that young age and told Forbes about how she felt when adults derided her for her young entrepreneurial spirit.
"I would, of course, choose the kids to put shoes on, and their parents would ask me how old I was, and they would laugh. I was so hurt," Sy-Coson told Forbes.
Now widely regarded as the heir-apparent to the $9.3-billion business, Sy-Coson said she wonders how she made it through the first years in the retail business without the advanced degree or formal training. The executive said she made up for it by working long hours and following her instincts, consulting business books and attending trade fairs.
"Now that I know how the science works and the numbers work, I don't know how I did it at the time," Forbes quoted Sy-Coson.
Lisa Gokongwei is one of 15 women to watch
Forbes also cited Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng as one of Asia's 15 women to watch, which is a list of up-and-comers who are expected to be seen in the top 50 power businesswomen list in the future.
Gokongwei-Cheng, 43, is president of Summit Media, the company behind FHM Philippines, Cosmopilitan Philippines, Yes!Magazine, and other titles.
source: interaksyon.com
