Julia Bernardo: Woman Entrepreneur
Joeseph Velasquez in EntrePINOY
Oct 07, 2020 • 2 min Read
Born in Nueva Ecija on July 21, 1930, Julia Bernardo wished nothing more than a simple life in the province. Raised by very conservative parents, Julia grew up to be a woman content with what she has. She eventually fell in love and eloped with her now late husband, Lorenzo. However, she kept her dream of wanting to achieve something in life, so she finished her studies and began working in a public library.
Though her parents disapproved her decisions in life, Julia still kept in touch with them, even helped in sending her youngest sibling to college who later became a successful engineer.
Julia was already a mother of two when she realized that she could not give her children a comfortable life by having a desk job, She started buying old-fashioned wooden chairs and rented an old tractor. She started putting out chairs and tables for rent for party needs around Nueva Ecija. When she realized that what she started has more profit than her work at the library, Julia resigned and focused on her chair rental business.
A woman entrepreneur was born.
She was pregnant with her fifth child when Lorenzo took their business to Manila.
“Maliit lang ang bahay namin noon, dahil kahit medyo may kita kami, hindi sapat para sa magandang buhay,” Julia said.
Eventually, Julia had eight children. Being a mother and a businesswoman at the same time was never easy, but she persisted.
“Magugutom ka kung hindi ka magsumikap,” she added.
And she toiled for her children. Her youngest is a dentist. Three sons are professionals: electrical engineer, an electronics and communication engineer, and an architect.
Years passed and their business continued to flourish. From rattan chairs, they gradually replaced these with monoblock chairs. She never hired drivers or cargo men; she relied on herself and her children who all helped in the business that she built. From 100 chairs, Julia is now able to rent out over 3,000 chairs and 300 tables.
Now 90 years old, Julia is still strong and able to manage the family business. Her resilience as a mother and her indomitable spirit as a woman helped her achieve her dream: a comfortable life for her big family.
She muses: “Hindi ko naman ginusto na maging successful ako. Ang hiniling ko lang sa Panginoon ay huwag hayaang magutom ang mga anak ko, pero binigyan pa ako ng Panginoon ng mas higit pa sa pinagdasal ko.”
The lesson here is very simple: never underestimate a woman, especially a mother. Her love for her family and her unwavering spirit is all she needs to survive and succeed.
