Trader tells women how to become ‘great’ entrepreneurs

Myrna Tang Yao

Although she is known for bringing the popular fashion doll Barbie to the Philippines, businesswoman Myrna Tang Yao has been making strides in the women’s sector as a government official and as one of those behind the Gender-Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of (GREAT) Women Project.

The GREAT Women Project, a brainchild of Yao and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (Cida).

The project helps women micro-entrepreneurs by teaching them how to improve their organizational systems, upgrade their skills and capabilities and eventually encourage growth in the local economy, especially in agriculture. Among its objectives is to support and sustain women enterprises to allow them to scale up and compete in the global market.

On Tuesday, Yao launched her book “The Gift of a Dream: The GREAT Women Project” at Sofitel Philippine Plaza hotel in Pasay City.

The book showcases the program’s framework and Yao’s own insights on micro-entrepreneurship.

During the event, attendees watched video interviews of some of the beneficiaries who cited the program for providing them with the skills and know-how to sustain their small businesses.

“The task of making this dream a reality continues,” Yao said after explaining that Phase 1 of the program had ended.

She said she wrote the book with the program’s Phase 2 in mind, which the Cida would again support.

Prime movers

“Her love for women and children drives her business,” Emmeline Verzosa, current executive director of the PCW, said of Yao.

Verzosa, who was among the delegates at the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Women and the Economy (Apec WE) fora, said women were “prime movers of inclusive growth.”

Canadian Ambassador Neil Reeder shared this view, saying a lot of Filipino women working in his country had not only been contributing and sharing their skills there but also in the Philippines.

“Your book tells a story, a beautiful narrative,” he told Yao.

Trade Undersecretary Nora Terrado, meanwhile, said the GREAT Women Project had remained “close to Myrna’s heart and many of us (in the women’s sector).”

She said the program was part of the paradigm shift from a focus on women’s human rights to their right to engage in economic activities.

Support, expand businesses

Terrado, who chaired the Apec WE, said she hoped more successful businesswomen would be inspired to help other women after reading the book.

Yao, who was a former copra trader and now president of Richwell Trading Corp., said she wanted to encourage more women to expand their businesses.

“I started as a micro-entrepreneur but I never stopped growing and learning to the extent of bringing other people to grow with me,” she said.

In the book, Yao gives out reminders on how to deal with stakeholders and how to push beneficiaries to accomplish more.

She repeatedly says that a lot has been written about the results of the program (one can read about the GREAT Women Brand to read about its remarkable success stories) but that it is also important to look back at the lessons learned.

One chapter also tackles her vision to “go digital.”

“The traditional word of mouth, while still working, should be given a modern twist,” she said.

She said she had witnessed how technology had allowed women entrepreneurs to “barter” online or give quick tips or mentoring sessions.

The book serves as a manual or a guide for anyone who might be interested to engage in social entrepreneurship.

“I hope each reader will act on the book’s message,” Yao said during her book launch, adding that her main objective was to encourage more people to support the GREAT Women Project. Kristine Angeli Sabillo/RC