Every entrepreneur says that investing in people is the key to success. But for EQ Diapers founder Sam Po, the reality was much tougher than he expected.
“Every entrepreneur will tell you that you should invest in your people, but it is easier said than done,” Po says. When he started expanding his business, he realized that hiring the right people wasn’t just about filling roles—it was about building a culture.
In the late ’90s, Po was running his company from Caloocan, but he struggled to attract top talent. “It was tough to hire good people because of the place. Usually, they prefer Ortigas or Makati di ba? Wala pang BGC noon,” he recalls.
That’s when he made a bold move: he relocated the business to Ortigas, even though it meant leasing space instead of owning it. “Sa Caloocan, I owned the building. In Ortigas, I had to lease. But I knew I had to take the risk.”
Even after securing an office in a prime location, the hiring challenge didn’t stop. He needed people who weren’t just skilled but also aligned with the company’s values.
“For me, the most important is your HR kasi HR is the one that will hire good people—people that will be a good fit for the job,” Po says.
Beyond hiring, he focused on culture-building, mission, and shared values to create a team that would drive long-term growth. “It’s a tough job, but we have to start from our culture, our mission, and our purpose. And we are getting there.”
Po’s takeaway? Investing in people isn’t just about hiring—it’s about creating the right environment for them to succeed.
This article includes quotes from an interview originally published by Esquire Philippines, authored by Henry Ong.
