When Robertson Tan founded Blade Auto Center, he had little retail experience and limited capital. Starting out wasn’t just difficult — it felt like a battle. And that’s exactly how he approached it.
“It was always a huge uphill battle,” Tan recalls. “I likened our situation to Andres Bonifacio, who fought the Spaniards’ guns and cannons with only an itak or bolo.”
That image stuck with him. He saw the bolo not just as a weapon, but as a symbol of resilience, determination, and the will to push forward despite the odds. Inspired by Bonifacio and the Katipunan, he named his company Blade, a nod to the Filipino hero’s fighting spirit.
But it didn’t stop with the name. That same symbolism shaped the company culture — starting with the color red.
“The inspiration from the KKK is the reason why we wear red all the time,” Tan says. “The color inspires us to get ready for battle.”
Every employee at Blade Auto Center wears red as part of their uniform. And Tan leads by example — wearing red himself, every single day. For him, it’s more than just a dress code. It’s a mindset.
Red is a reminder of where they started — with no resources, no major backing, and no guarantees. But through grit, discipline, and belief in the mission, Blade grew into one of the country’s leading car accessories retailers.
Today, the red uniform represents courage under pressure, a symbol of how far the company has come — and how far it still wants to go.
The takeaway:
For Robertson Tan, business has always been a battle worth fighting. And in that battle, red is more than a color — it’s a statement. A daily reminder to show up with fire, fight smart, and never forget the struggle that started it all.
This article includes quotes from an interview originally published by Esquire Philippines, authored by Henry Ong.
