A builder of enterprise

Alice was already Alice Eduardo of Sta. Elena Construction & Development Corp. when she and I first met. She made her name in the construction industry as the go-to for difficult and demanding structural work long before we had the honor of having her as one of Go Negosyo’s mentors and supporters.

- JOEY CONCEPCION

I recall this because I would have very much wanted to have known her when she was building her business. Her journey should be held up as an example of how entrepreneurship skills can go a long way in any industry, and it would have been fascinating to have followed her rise to the top of the construction business.

I don’t think she minds that her online popularity has been eclipsed by her sister, Small Laude (also one of our more popular Go Negosyo speakers). She commands much respect in her quiet yet commanding presence among businessmen. Even the MSMEs who come to our events are awed when we introduce her and her accomplishments. In fact, next week, her alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas, is conferring on Alice a Doctor of Commerce degree, honoris causa.

Alice was fortunate to have grown up in a family that ran several businesses, including rice milling and trading. Although her family was relatively well-off, Alice was tasked with several roles in running the business, and it was here that she was mentored from an early age in the basics of entrepreneurship.