Success in business takes more than a college degree, capital
(The article is based on the November issue of Entrepreneur Magazine, which featured the 10 most successful entrepreneurs.)
By.Amy R. Remo
(First of two parts)


WITH so many business ventures closing down almost as soon as they open, entrepreneurs now know that it takes more than a college degree or enough capital for their businesses to be successful.

One needs to have patience, dedication and that so-called entrepreneurial flair to keep the business thriving.

Entrepreneur Magazine recently picked 10 of the most successful entrepreneurs from a list of 35 owners of small and medium enterprises.

They were selected according to economic and market performances, employment standards and social responsibility

These 10 owners have shown what it really means to be a successful entrepreneur.

Ahead Learning Systems

People often thought that tutorial centers are for the slow learners or those who failed their subjects. But Ahead Learning Systems shows that its services are also for students who want to stay as top of their classes.

In 1995, Rossanna Llenado, a full-time housewife; started her tutorial services at home, which later led to the opening a branch of the Laguna-based Brain Train Tutorial Review Center. Seeing its success, Llenado decided to open her own tutorial center.

In 1997, Llenado opened her first branch of Ahead Tutorial and Review Center at Kapitolyo, Pasig. In a short, two years' then, it became the industry leader.

The reason behind this success, according to Llenado, was to break away from the pack and introduce innovations and improvements from what most review clinics usually offer.

Llenado relates that it was Ahead that pioneered review courses aimed specifically for entrance exams of University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University.

Ahead was also the first to publish reviewers for the UP College Admission Test, career guides and a manual on 10 of Metro Manila's finest colleges and universities.

The courses' effectiveness can be gauged with the entrance exams results. According to Llenado, 85 percent of their students pass these college exams.

Most of Ahead's tutorial centers are located in the malls to be more accessible, unlike other centers, which are built near schools, It has branches in Robinsons Mall in Ortigas Center, SM Megamall, Greenhills and Quezon City.

Llenado adds that Ahead's teachers are handpicked. She says she taps young top graduates of the best universities and colleges to be a teacher even for a year or two. With these, Ahead is able to remain true to its objective, which was to provide students the best programs, instructors and facilities.

Althongh Ahead charges as much as P1,000 for their courses, compared to other learning centers that charge only P3,000, Ahead continues to be patronized by most parents and students. "We believe that we offer a much reasonable price because we go for quality in each of our courses," says Llenado.