Before building Wilcon Depot into one of the Philippines’ biggest retail chains, William Belo was just a college student juggling two full-time roles: hardware worker by day, student by night.
“Although nasa college ako, nagwo-work ako sa araw. And then I study at night,” Belo recalled. While most of his peers were focused solely on academics or leisure, he had already immersed himself in the working world—learning the ropes of a 60-square-meter hardware shop in Ongpin, Manila.
It wasn’t glamorous, but it was intentional. Belo wanted a head start. He believed that waiting until after graduation to gain experience would delay his long-term plans of starting a business. “Usually kasi after college, they would say you need to find a job di ba? And then eventually you will settle down,” he said. “Naisip ko, pag nangyari ‘yan, hindi ka na makapagsimula ng negosyo.”
So, instead of following the traditional route, he carved out his own. While other students were preparing for corporate careers, Belo was already clocking in real-world hours—learning inventory systems, supplier terms, customer needs, and business operations firsthand. That foundation, built in long shifts and late-night classes, laid the groundwork for everything that came after.
His early sacrifices paid off. By the time he graduated with an engineering degree, he had already accumulated years of practical business experience—enough to earn the trust of his father’s hardware store partners, who eventually let him take the lead.
“I wanted to start early,” he emphasized. And that decision gave him a seven-year edge before launching Wilcon Depot in 1977.
For young professionals and students wondering whether hustle during college is worth it, Belo’s journey offers a powerful answer: starting small, working hard, and learning early can be the best investment in your future.
This article includes quotes from an interview originally published by Esquire Philippines, authored by Henry Ong.
