Editors Note: This week’s iWrite is from Jonel Pericon who tells the story of his business, Automate Solutions Inc.
His story is also this month’s Entrepreneur Feature.
Jonel, the CEO of up-and-coming customized car solutions company Automate Solutions Inc, is a seasoned Design and Development Engineer assigned in Japan, Indonesia, and Singapore for 15 years.
Together with his wife, Marites, a PCB Designer, they returned home to their native land, Negros Occidental, and chose a road less traveled to fulfill their life purpose.
The advent of Renewable Energy and Electrical Vehicles urged him to consider building this industry in his hometown and gathered a lot of interest from large corporations in countries Like Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Canada.
In 2019, he founded a start-up company engaged in creating customized vehicles for small businesses aimed at bridging food mobility during the pandemic. What used to be a 2-3 employee company grew and now employs 30 staff. They likewise ventured their operations into vehicle services.
During the early stages of business, he was connected to local people and mentors that tested his character. It likewise consumed a significant amount of his resources, and experienced massive rejections as the local stubborn mindset are avoiding real change. He was on the verge of giving up. However, with his foundation on Purpose and Vision, he is continuing to be a trailblazer and with small steps, he is paving a way for the mindset here locally to be changed by doing it first rather than blaming it on the situation.
“Trailblazing innovative mindset in the local scene is not so easy, and that could somehow entice them on giving up,” he said.
His unique business acumen centers on ‘kaizen’ – a Japanese word for continuous improvement, made possible by creating long-term value via inspiring people to develop a character. As a budding tycoon, he also focuses on creating growth and profit, discipline, and of course, remarkable products and excellent output.
His heart desires, as a returning OFW, no less than jobs generation and increase local employment in his beloved hometown. He also aims to empower the local people to improve their way of living. As he always emphasizes, it’s all about ” Character, Not Paper ” and believing in everyone’s potential.
