Posts tagged interview
Ep 352 - Alex De Leon - The Hustle Of Growing PropertyGuru

In this episode of Hustleshare, we chat with Alex de Leon, Group VP of Marketing at PropertyGuru, to unpack the wild journey that took him from tinkering with computers in Manila to working at Google in Silicon Valley—and eventually marketing for one of Southeast Asia's biggest proptech companies. Alex shares how growing up between cultures shaped his hustle, what working three jobs in college taught him about grit, and why it took 26 tries before he finally landed at Google. He also gets real about what it’s like starting from customer support, how being a generalist became his edge in tech, and why building from scratch in the Philippines was the most career-defining move he made.

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Ep 351 - Gerard John Deriada and Kareen Grace Lacorte - The Hustle Behind Agri Exim

In this episode of Hustleshare, we sit down with Gerard John Deriada and Kareen Grace Lacorte of Agri Exim Global Philippines to talk about how they helped grow an organic agriculture company from a small 10-person team in Davao to over 1,000 employees across the country. Kareen shares how she stumbled into HR and built a career on empathy, grit, and a willingness to figure things out on her own, while Gerard looks back on the scrappy early days of wearing multiple hats and helping build systems from scratch. They get real about the challenges of hiring and retention, scaling with purpose, and staying aligned with a bigger mission. We also dive into how PLDT Enterprise helped power their digital transformation and kept them connected through the toughest moments of the pandemic. If you’re in the thick of building something meaningful, this episode is full of hard-earned lessons you’ll want to hear.

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Ep 350 - Emil Eriksen - The Hustle Behind &you

In this episode of Hustleshare – Emil Eriksen is the founder of &you—a digital health platform built to meet the everyday needs of Filipinos through online consultations, expert care, and discreet nationwide delivery. With a vision to build a fully localized, end-to-end healthcare system tailored for Southeast Asia, Emil shares how &you is redefining access to care—starting in the Philippines. From early startup wins in Europe to costly missteps with a legacy brand, Emil reflects on the highs and lows that shaped his journey. Discover why he walked away from partnerships, how he scaled fast as a solo founder, and what it takes to build a high-growth company designed for emerging markets.

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Ep 349 - Carlyn Gabon - The Hustle Behind GetYourVisa

In this episode of Hustleshare, we chat with Carlyn Gabon, founder and CEO of GetYourVisa, about how her personal struggles with immigration led her to build a startup tackling the visa process. From hustling barbecues as a kid in Quezon City to leading regional ops at Grab, Carlyn shares how her drive and clarity of purpose shaped her journey. She talks about losing her job during the pandemic, lining up at 5 a.m. outside immigration offices, and why she took the leap into entrepreneurship through the Antler program. If you’ve ever dealt with visa stress—or thought about building something global—this one’s for you.

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Ep 348 - Michael Sta. Maria - The Hustle Behind Northeast Business Solutions, Inc.

In this episode of Hustleshare, we sit down with Mr. Michael Sta. Maria, the dynamic President and CEO of Northeast Business Solution, Inc. — a company at the forefront of digital transformation and business optimization in the Philippines.

Michael shares the inspiring story behind Northeast Business Solutions, Inc.: how it grew from a promising concept into a trusted provider of software solutions for companies across various industries. With a strong focus on innovation, client service, and operational excellence, he walks us through the company’s evolution, its key milestones, and the challenges he faced as a leader navigating today’s fast-changing digital landscape.

This episode also explores how Northeast Business Solutions, Inc. has harnessed the power of technology — including strategic partnerships with digital providers like PLDT Enterprise — to deliver smarter, scalable, and future-ready solutions to clients. A must-listen for forward-thinking entrepreneurs and executives looking to lead with vision, agility, and purpose in the digital era.

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Ep 347 - Dan Gonzales and Earl Valencia - The Hustle Behind Startup Mindsets

In this episode of Hustleshare, we sit down with Dan Gonzales and Earl Valencia, co-authors of Startup Mindsets, to unpack the emotional and mental journey of building startups—especially through the lens of the Filipino experience. Dan, a Filipino-American writer with a tech background, reflects on his path from tech skeptic to ecosystem builder, while Earl, a pioneer of the Philippine startup ecosystem and co-founder of IdeaSpace, shares how a billion-peso fund came to life after a bold pitch to MVP. They dive into the irrational realities of entrepreneurship, the truth about failure and regret, and why mindset—not just execution—is what defines success. Packed with grit, vulnerability, and decades of hard-won wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for anyone standing at the edge of starting something meaningful.

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Ep 346 - Luis Mesina and Marilen Yap - The Hustle Behind Cake2Go

In this episode of Hustleshare, we sit down with Luis Mesina and Marilyn Yap, the visionary founders and owners of Cake2Go. A homegrown cake brand that redefined convenience and taste in the Philippines long before online delivery was mainstream. From humble beginnings in a side porch with a borrowed oven, to running 18 stores and pioneering the takeout cake model, Luis and Marilyn share their incredible 20-year journey filled with grit, innovation, and heart. This episode also talks about thriving during the pandemic, passing the torch to the next generation, and how tech—especially digital solutions from PLDT Enterprise—has helped them grow in the digital era.

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Ep 345 - Ben Alderson - The Hustle Behind BA Mentor

In this episode of Hustleshare, we talk with Ben Alderson—startup mentor, angel investor, and founder of BA Mentor, a platform supporting early-stage founders with practical, no-fluff guidance. With a career spanning engineering, management consulting, startup founding, and venture capital, Ben unpacks the uncommon path that gave him a uniquely grounded lens for helping founders succeed. He shares hard truths about fundraising in the Philippines, the difference between real traction and noise, and why execution—not theory—separates the winners. Candid, deeply tactical, and full of firsthand insights, this is a must-listen for any founder serious about making better decisions, faster.

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Ep 344 - Joseph de Leon - The Hustle Behind Manila Angel Investors Network

In this episode of Hustleshare, we talk with Joseph De Leon—partner at Gravitas Prime, founding member of MAIN (Manila Angel Investors Network), and a cornerstone of the Philippine startup ecosystem. JDL shares his fascinating path from global ad strategist to M&A advisor, and how his eclectic background helped him shape a uniquely sharp lens for evaluating startups. He breaks down the realities of angel investing, why most founders miss the mark on valuation and ambition, and what it really takes to build a world-class business from the Philippines. Packed with wit, frameworks, and brutally honest insights, this is a must-listen for anyone serious about turning hustle into lasting value.

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Ep 343 - Shumate Royo - The Hustle of an Ecosystem Builder

In this episode of Hustleshare, we welcome Shumate Royo, a passionate educator-turned-ecosystem-builder whose journey redefines what it means to lead with purpose. From her humble beginnings as a history teacher with a heart for youth empowerment, Shumate takes us through her incredible transition into entrepreneurship—co-founding one of the Philippines’ first community-driven coworking spaces, The Office Project. Now a central figure in building the Philippine startup ecosystem, Shumate reflects on her time leading DevCon, contributing to national innovation policy, and mentoring future founders. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, community, and the unshakeable value of staying true to your mission. Whether you're a founder, educator, or advocate for innovation, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights and heartfelt lessons you won’t want to miss.

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Ep 342 - Nichel Gaba - The Hustle Behind PDAX

In this episode of Hustleshare, we welcome Nichel Gaba, the founder and CEO of PDAX, a groundbreaking cryptocurrency exchange in the Philippines. Nichel takes us on his remarkable journey from a risk-averse banking professional at HSBC to a trailblazer in the crypto space. He shares his insights on the evolution of the Philippine startup ecosystem, the importance of timing in entrepreneurship, and the unique regulatory landscape that supports innovation. With a passion for making crypto accessible to Filipinos, Nichel discusses the challenges of fundraising, building a resilient team, and navigating the complexities of the fintech industry. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a crypto enthusiast, or someone curious about the future of finance, this episode is filled with valuable lessons and inspiring stories that you won't want to miss!

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Ep 341 - Josiah Go - The Hustle Of The Marketing Guru

Josiah Go, Chairman of Mansmith and Fielders and a pioneer in business model innovation, shares his journey from hustling at a machine shop during college to building multiple successful businesses and training thousands of entrepreneurs. In this season premiere of Hustleshare, Josiah opens up about the lessons from his father that shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, the power of sacrificing weekends for knowledge, and why understanding business models, not just marketing, is crucial for success. He dives deep into value chains, innovation, and avoiding the "law of foolish fellowship." Whether you're building your first startup, scaling a business, or simply curious about how true business mastery is forged, this episode is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss.

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Ep 340 - The Hustle Behind QBO Innovation

Alwyn Rosel, the new Executive Director of IdeaSpace and QBO Innovation Hub, shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Navotas to becoming a key builder of the Philippine startup ecosystem. In this episode, she reflects on her early hustle in the BPO industry, her crash course in startups through DOST and AIM, and the passion that fuels her work today. Alwyn opens up about the power of community and the importance of humility and relationships. If you’re curious about ecosystem-building, inclusive innovation, or what it really takes to lead with impact, this episode is filled with insights you won’t want to miss.

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Ep 339 - The Hustle Behind Lenderlink

Christo Georgiev, co-founder and CEO of LenderLink, a credit data platform bridging gaps in the Philippines’ lending ecosystem, joins us to talk about the credit data revolution he’s spearheading in the Philippines. From growing up in post-communist Bulgaria to building startups across three continents, Christo shares how he’s tackling one of the country’s most persistent financial problems: fragmented credit information. He dives into lessons from early failures, leading FinScore through the pandemic, and why he left a successful exit to start again. Christo breaks down how LenderLink is changing the game by connecting financial institutions, aggregating credit data in real time, and giving millions of Filipinos better access to formal credit. If you're into fintech, startup grit, or building infrastructure that actually makes lives better, this one's for you.

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Ep 338 - The Hustle Behind Helios

Alex Aronson, co-founder of Helios, a groundbreaking startup focused on democratizing solar energy in the Philippines, takes us on a journey from his roots in the Bay Area to his impactful career in the Philippine startup scene. He shares his passion for building high-performance teams and solving pressing consumer problems, particularly in the renewable energy sector. With a wealth of experience from his time at Bookie and Plantina, Alex discusses the challenges and triumphs of launching Helios, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and affordability in solar solutions. If you're curious about the future of energy, the startup hustle, or how to make a meaningful impact, this episode is filled with valuable insights and inspiration.

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Ep 337 - The Hustle Behind Flying Tigers Express


Shad Dela Cruz, the co-founder and CEO of Flying Tigers Express, talks about his journey, from his humble beginnings in Bacolod to navigating the vibrant startup ecosystem in Cebu. He shares his evolution from a tech enthusiast to a leader in the logistics industry. After experiencing the highs and lows of startup life, including a challenging first venture, he found his calling in revolutionizing delivery services in the Philippines. Shad discusses the importance of solving real-world problems, building a solid team, and the relentless hustle that drives success. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a logistics aficionado, or someone looking for motivation in the face of adversity, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration you won't want to miss.

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Ep 336 - The Hustle Behind Rezbin

Mari Martirez, co-founder and CEO of Rezbin, shares his inspiring journey from building startups to driving social impact through waste management innovation. After working in key roles at successful startups like Kumu and STORM, Mari took the leap to create Rezbin, a platform revolutionizing waste segregation and recycling in the Philippines. He opens up about navigating failure, rediscovering purpose, and applying his extensive experience to build a tech-driven environmental solution. Whether you're a startup founder, sustainability advocate, or someone seeking inspiration from resilience and reinvention, this episode is filled with valuable insights and advice you won't want to miss.

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Ep 335 - The Hustle Behind Villgro Philippines

Priya Thachadi, co-founder and CEO of Villgro Philippines, shares her inspiring journey from grassroots activism to driving social impact through entrepreneurship. After a diverse career spanning journalism, public policy, and social enterprise development, she moved to the Philippines to establish Villgro Philippines, a pioneering incubator supporting impact-driven startups. Priya opens up about the challenges of building an ecosystem from scratch, overcoming self-doubt, and empowering entrepreneurs from underserved communities. Whether you're a founder seeking impact, an aspiring changemaker, or someone navigating career pivots, this episode is rich with insights and advice you won't want to miss.

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Ep 334 - The Hustle Behind Skooltek

Ursel Murillo-Laureno, founder and CEO of EdFolio and SkoolTek, shares her inspiring journey from being a school principal to launching a successful startup that empowers educators. In this episode, Ursel dives into the challenges of building a tech platform outside of Manila and how her passion for education fueled her entrepreneurial path. From navigating funding hurdles to balancing multiple ventures, she offers invaluable insights on perseverance, strategic thinking, and community-building. Whether you're an aspiring founder, an educator, or someone passionate about impactful innovation, this episode is packed with lessons that will motivate and inspire you.

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Ep 333 - The Hustle Behind OneWorkforce

For our 6th anniversary episode, Jerry Tieng of OneWorkforce joins us in this episode to share his incredible tech journey spanning 3 decades. Jerry shares his humble beginnings in software development that started with servicing clients to Binondo and how he grew his software dev shop thru word-of-mouth. Jerry also shares how they've been able to stay stable and profitable through the years despite the changing specs of clients and the sacrifices he made to become successful.

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