Eric Lim’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most successful businessmen in the Philippines is a testament to hard work, responsibility and unwavering persistence. His story reflects the values that drive not only individual success, but also contributes to the greater good of the society.
From a small food stall to expanding into diverse industries like business consultancy and real estate, Lim’s success is rooted in an ethos of responsibility, dedication and an ever-expanding vision. For him, doing business means letting others earn first, believing that true success comes from creating opportunities and prosperity for those around him.
Start of journey
He began his entrepreneurial journey in the Philippines in 2015, starting with a small food business in Quezon City. He sold local Filipino comfort foods like tapsilog, chicksilog, hamsilog and goto, and catered to the bustling market of the area. What makes his decision to start in Quezon City particularly interesting is that he deliberately chose a place without Chinese so that he could learn English and Tagalog and integrate with the local community.
Why the Philippines?
His decision to settle in the Philippines was influenced by two factors: personal experience and the historical relationship between the Chinese and Filipino people.
The first reason stems from a deeply personal experience. During a vacation in Siargao with his teacher, Lim had a life-changing encounter. He was having a meal of pork barbecue by the beach when he observed a remarkable scene. Local dogs were patiently waiting their turn for food, without fighting or pushing each other.
This display of calm and patience left a lasting impression on him. For Lim, animals reflect the spiritual character of the people around them, and he saw in this scene the kindness and love that are deeply ingrained in Filipino culture.
The second reason is rooted in heritage. Hundreds of years ago, Chinese settlers arrived in the Philippines and established strong, harmonious relationships with the local communities. Lim, who comes from a Chinese heritage, believes it is important to continue the legacy of giving back to society once success is achieved.
The Filipino-Chinese communitys generosity has been a longstanding tradition, and Lim holds this value close to his heart. To him, business success is not just about wealth accumulation but about contributing to the society.
In 2022, Lim spearheaded a relief mission in Isabela province, where his team prepared and distributed 7,000 family relief packages—each containing rice, noodles and canned goods—to victims of the devastating typhoon in both Isabela and Cagayan. These areas were severely impacted by the disaster, and the timely distribution of aid provided much-needed support to the affected communities. Lim also made significant donations to underprivileged students in Barangay Salao, Rosario, Batangas, further extending his efforts to uplift those in need.
These two charitable initiatives are just a glimpse of the many selfless activities Lim and his dedicated team have undertaken to support communities in distress.
Growing the business
One of the key lessons Lim shares from his personal experience is the importance of growth and responsibility at each stage of business development. He compares the journey of business growth to the stages of a mans life—starting with a young boy transitioning into society, progressing to the responsibility of a man, and eventually reaching the stage of an entrepreneur with a solid foundation.
From level 0 to 1
Growing a business is similar to a young boy transitioning into society. When a boy enters the world, he starts looking for relationships, finds a girlfriend and gradually earns money to support her.
If you know yourself well, you will know the direction of your life.
As the relationship deepens, the boy matures and the responsibilities grow. He starts planning for a future—eventually proposing, getting married and having children. He plans for his family and for the education and future of his children. Similarly, in business, you begin thinking long-term. The business isnt just about you anymore; you need to focus on whats best for its future growth. Your vision broadens as your business grows.
Growing responsibilities
“As your business grows, so do your responsibilities,” Lim says. This is where the boy becomes a man, much like a business owner taking on more than just his personal growth. As you hire employees and scale up your operations, your role transitions from being just a small business owner to someone who is responsible for other people’s livelihoods and families.
This phase is when you start building a team. Hire people, treat them well, and they will help the business thrive. The relationship you have with your employees is crucial—treating them well will directly influence the growth of your business.
Your business may grow from one employee to ten or more. What was once a small shop may now evolve into a bigger company. Key Factor: Treat your employees well—this sets the cycle in motion for sustained growth and success.
Greater responsibilities
As your business matures, youll scale up even further, with hundreds of employees. This stage brings even bigger responsibilities. Now, not only are you responsible for your team, but also for your suppliers, partners, and operational systems.
Trust is another word for responsibility. Building and maintaining trust with your suppliers, business partners and clients is critical for continued success. You also need a robust management system to ensure the business runs efficiently.
You are now officially in the entrepreneurial realm, where the stakes are higher. Part of this responsibility includes fulfilling your obligations, like paying the right taxes and complying with business regulations.
Social responsibility
Once youve handled your business, your employees, and your teams growth you move to the final stage—social responsibility. After youve taken care of your own family, employees and their families, the next logical step is to think about society at large.
Success defined
For Lim, true success lies in self-awareness. He emphasizes the importance of understanding ones strengths and weaknesses, abilities and limitations. Many people, he believes, go through life without a clear plan and a solid understanding of themselves. This lack of self-awareness often leads to confusion and lack of direction. He argues that life is short, and time should not be wasted.
“If you know yourself well, you will know the direction of your life,” he says.
With this self-awareness, individuals can overcome challenges and push through difficulties without giving up easily.
There’s a Chinese saying that “by the age of 30, you should have a successful business, provide well for your family and build a solid foundation.” However, for him, success doesn’t always come by 30. For some, it may take until 60, and in special cases, it might come even earlier, in their 20s.
Series of success
Lim’s metaphor for success is climbing a mountain. In his analogy of the Chinese saying “There are 360 different professions, and each field can produce its own top expert.”, it’s like there are 360 mountains. The key is to choose the most suitable mountain to climb based on an understanding of one’s abilities and weaknesses. Along the way, climbers will face obstacles and difficulties, but with the right mindset and persistence, success will follow.
He advises entrepreneurs to stick to their chosen path and not be distracted by the promises of easier routes or alternative industries. The real challenge lies in staying focused, overcoming obstacles and pushing forward.
Persistence is key
His ultimate message is one of persistence. No matter how difficult the journey may seem, he encourages entrepreneurs to keep looking forward, face challenges head-on, and never give up. Success is not about taking shortcuts but about staying the course, even when the road is tough.
Building a legacy
Lims success is a result of his deep commitment to responsibility, personal growth and giving back to the community. By building strong foundations, treating employees and partners well, and staying true to ones values, Lim has created a lasting legacy of success.
His story is a blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs, demonstrating that with vision, responsibility, and persistence, anyone can achieve their dreams and make a positive impact on the world.
As he puts it, “Conclude yesterday. Do well for today. Plan well for tomorrow.”