Antonio Vicente Ortigas Jr. talks about taking over a 29-year-old business

Passionate entrepreneur, Antonio Vicente Ortigas Jr., talks about how he was able to overcome the obstacles faced after the passing his father
Antonio Vicente Jr. Ortigas did not have the easiest start to his entrepreneurial journey, taking over a 29-year-old business, following the passing of his father in 2007.

Antonio has grown to become a leading name in the global trade and security industry, working with the popular Cotecna brand and heading the company’s division in the Philippines.

In a recent interview where Antonio revealed some unknown facts about his personal and his business life, Antonio highlighted the principles he used in overcoming the obstacles he faced.

“I took over a 29-year-old business when my father passed away in 2007. It was challenging because our employees saw me just as the owner’s son, some young guy who had no experience and who they could fool,” said Antonio.

The dedicated entrepreneur did not let the big shoe of his father he was stepping into overwhelm him as he quickly adjusted to take on the position at the young age of 25.

“In the beginning I practiced a more adaptive approach in the business because I was only 25 when I started and I really did not have a mentor. It was very challenging for me because our industry is usually led by very well equipped and experienced leaders. Because of this, I would like to think that if I had more work experience or a proper mentor when I took over then we would have gained success quicker,” said Anton.

According to the 38-year-old entrepreneur, his desire to learn as much as possible about the business helped him to grow in a relatively short while and overcome the challenges he faced as a young business executive.

“Educating and exposing myself on our business and industry. I also took a Masters in Entrepreneurship that equipped me with the confidence, guidance, and tools to manage our business more efficiently and professionally,” said Anton.

As one of the youngest managers in the industry, Antonio Vicente Jr. Ortigas has established himself as a force not only with Cotecna but also across different industries.

He currently runs a photography company, Anton Ortigas Photography. He is also the founder of two coffee businesses in the Philippines, where he aims to help local coffee farmers and roasters.

Disclaimer: No Asian Age journalist was involved in creating this content. The group also takes no responsibility for this content.