12 Business Secrets from Peruvian Entrepreneurs
First Secret: Think Globally
Alfonso Velasquez, former Minister of Production and current asparagus, piquillo peppers, and artichoke exporter, advises, “The field of business is the world; we must look beyond borders.” Globalization and tools like the internet offer entrepreneurs opportunities to discover new business possibilities worldwide.
Second Secret: Take the Leap
Maximo San Roman, former Vice President of Peru, shares his journey from assistant mechanic to founder of the nationally and internationally recognized NOVA appliance company. His advice: “One must make the leap when feeling capable.” and “One should not always expect to be employed; foresee always being your own boss.”
Third Secret: Find Needs in the Streets
Octavio Mavila, owner of “Brothers Mavila” taxi company, saw a need for affordable transport in the Magdalena market, where public transport wasn’t allowed. He advises, “Business is in the street; always look outside because there are the needs of the people, and we must know how to discover them.”
Fourth Secret: Add Unique Value
Beauty queen and author Frieda Holler encourages finding unique needs and adding value: “We have to find something unique to the needs of people, and we must give it added value.”
Fifth Secret: Cook with Passion
Restaurateur Miyoshi Shinkyo and chef Sonia Bahamontes emphasize passion and customer focus: “Business is like cooking; you should do it with passion. Remember that quality is defined by the customer.”
Sixth Secret: Clarity in Your Offering
Television personality Gisela Valcárcel advises clarity: “You must be clear about what you sell and why they are buying.” Former shoe manufacturer Dunlop adds, “I sold a cushioning system for transportation,” highlighting the importance of understanding your product’s core value.
Seventh Secret: Word-of-Mouth Marketing
Diogenes Alva, a prominent businessman in Gamarra, emphasizes the power of word-of-mouth: “The best marketing is word-of-mouth directed to the customer.”
Eighth Secret: Value Your People
Walter Jiménez, an ice distributor, learned from an encounter with Don Pedro D’Onofrio that “People are the most important thing for a company.”
Ninth Secret: The Power of Research
Don Alberto Benavides de la Quintana, shareholder in Yanacocha, stresses the importance of research: “The secret is in the investigation. In a society of knowledge and information, you should always investigate.”
Tenth Secret: Order and Integrity
Pablo Guerrero, founder of “Sydney” textiles, emphasizes order and integrity: “We must be sorted and have integrity. You cannot do any business if it is not at peace with yourself.”
Eleventh Secret: Innovate and Grow
Eduardo and Mirtha Añaños, owners of “AÑAÑOS” and creators of “Kola Real,” highlight the importance of innovation and growth: “Innovating and growing on the journey of our business growth is the key to good business.”
Twelfth Secret: Self-Reliance and a Positive Outlook
Gastón Acurio, renowned restaurateur and entrepreneur, encourages self-reliance and a positive mindset: “Everything is in our hands, and we should not listen to those who see the glass half empty; the glass is always full.” He adds, “It is important to encourage an entrepreneurial culture to tell people that it is possible to fulfill your dreams and think ever before in Peru.”