Keys to Becoming a Filipina Millionaire: Charm and Guts

Filipinas gather to laugh, eat, drink and network

SAN FRANCISCO — A diverse group — young and old, friends and business competitors, and even a former Playboy bunny — gathered on the ninth floor of the City Club of San Francisco recently. Laughter was aplenty, but the reason for the gathering was all business: They were Filipina women who wanted to learn how to become millionaires in one hour.

On June 13, 30 people came to the Filipina Women’s Network’s “Make Me a Filipina Millionaire” power lunch to network with other Filipina businesswomen, and learn from a panel of five entrepreneurs (and fellow Filipinas) who made millions with their self-started businesses.

From the panelists’ advice, it seemed they shared one thing: guts.

“Women should be risk-takers; they should be gutsy,” said Nimfa Yamsuan Gamez, a former housewife and now founder and CEO of Mission Hope Developmental Services.

Gamez encouraged Filipinas to use their distinctive charms to get ahead, and she certainly practiced what she preached. Years ago, she was working three jobs in the United States, hoping to make enough money to send her children to private schools in the Philippines. However, realizing that she could never make enough money, she decided to stop using just her “two arms and two legs, and start using [her] brain.”

The panelists said that some of the problems facing women are lack of financial literacy and confidence. However, that didn’t seem to stop them.

“I go for broke, ever since I was 8 years old,” said Nieves Cortez, co-owner of Corte Riva Vineyards.

Cortez founded the company and, facing a lack of money, started off selling only 300 cases per year. With rave reviews, the wine sold out. Now the vineyard sells 5,000 cases per year. Their most popular wine — called “Mabuhay,” a tribute to her Filipino pride — sells for $95 per bottle. Three hundred cases have been known to sell out within two days.

The wine, which Cortez shared at the lunch, was a hit. Women snuck back during the panel discussion to ask for more.

Cortez, though a confident saleswoman, was nervous to speak. “I’m shaking,” she said.

“Have some of your wine! It’ll relax you,” women joked.

This supportive feeling throughout the event inspired many of the attendees to take the plunge.

“The vibe was very empowering,” said Angel Villarino, a Wells Fargo business banking specialist, as women networked and exchanged cards afterward. “It gave me the vision and confidence to start my own company.”

Jennifer Ong, a trustee of the California Optometric Association, said, “It’s taken for granted that Filipinas have brains and beauty, but today, they added two more ingredients: humility and confidence.”

Susie Quesada, marketing manager of Ramar Foods International, summed up the event’s feeling: “It’s not just networking,” she said. “It’s a support group.”

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