Assignment #1

APRIL JOY L. PACANAS

Course: MBA 511-Entrepreneurship Development

Reaction Paper on Bo’s Coffee

“Focus on your strengths. Focus on your goals. Don’t get distracted,” said Steve Benitez
Father of Bo’s Coffee. Hearing these pieces of advice from a Filipino Entrepreneur makes me
want to start my own business and be a catalyst of change or buy his coffee at least. At first, I
don't even know what Bo's Coffee is. I didn't even know it existed and it is just amazing what
passion can do. As a Filipino, I want to try Bo's Coffee but as an MBA student and an aspiring
Entrepreneur I was hooked on how he has conquered and stayed in the industry for a decade and
a half now. 

I was in awe all throughout the video. I was happy, no I am still happy that a Filipino
Entrepreneur could do so much. I majored in accounting so all I think about most of the time is
the computation of profit and loss, the tax compliance, the recording of transactions and all of the
other accounting stuff. I never thought Entrepreneurship could be life changing literally. For that,
I was glad I enrolled in this subject on my first year in MBA. 

You can’t beat a person who really enjoys what he does. Looking at how Mr. Benitez has
been on the business for so long makes me realize that. From the video clip and reading some
articles and interviews, I can infer that what makes him stay in the industry is his unwavering
passion in coffee. He is not operating just to earn and make more money, he is doing it for a
much greater purpose. Sustainability. For him sustainability is the best form of advocacy. Seeing
an entrepreneur like him makes me wonder what if all businessmen would do business with a
purpose more than making more money? I think that would make a huge difference.

In a country where imported products are widely accepted and homegrown products were
only second best, having a strong-willed and passionate person who advocates sustainability and
patronizes Filipino products is a gem. What amazes me more is that Mr. Benitez also helps other
start up entrepreneurs in their ventures while aiming to globalize. The fifteen-minute video clip
made me appreciate the big part of having entrepreneurs in the economy. They are the risk
takers, innovators, and a catalyst of change. They help the economy in more ways than one.
Business is a very powerful platform for change indeed.