The RJ Ledesma Podcast

Sometimes, that difference is exactly what determines whether your business stays stuck—or starts to scale.Julian Cañita started his career as a hotelier before becoming an entrepreneur, executive coach, and consultant helping business owners make one of the most important shifts in entrepreneurship:From running the business themselves to thinking and leading like a CEO.In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, Julian explains why many entrepreneurs unknowingly become the biggest bottleneck in their own companies—and why simply working harder eventually stops working.We talk about delegation, accountability, developing leaders, and building the structures that allow a business to grow beyond the personal capacity of its founder.Because sometimes, before you can scale your business, you first have to scale the way you think and lead.If you're an MSME owner wondering why your business has hit a ceiling, this conversation could help you figure out what needs to change next.🎙️ Listen to my conversation with Julian Cañita on The RJ Ledesma Podcast.#TheRJLedesmaPodcast #JulianCanita #ScaleLikeACEO #Entrepreneurship #MSME #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipFor any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com.

Who looks at something as ordinary as a bag of ice and thinks: “I can build a business empire out of this.”Gerry Santos did.Through Mr. Freeze, Gerry took a product most of us barely think about and built it into a nationwide business—earning what I like to call him, the Ice King.But what did Gerry see in this seemingly ordinary business that others didn't?In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, we talk about how he discovered the opportunity, the struggles that nearly stopped him, the turning point that changed everything, and how he built a recognizable brand in what is essentially a commodity business.We also talk about how Mr. Freeze continues to grow—and whether there are still opportunities for entrepreneurs to partner with them today.Because sometimes, you don't need to invent the next big thing.You just need to see the big opportunity everyone else overlooked.🎙️ Listen to the full conversation on The RJ Ledesma Podcast.For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com.#TheRJLedesmaPodcast #MrFreeze #GerrySantos #Entrepreneurship #FilipinoEntrepreneurs #BusinessSuccess

Some entrepreneurs create products.The best entrepreneurs create brands.When Denise Caranto co-founded KONU during the pandemic, her vision wasn't simply to launch another snack.She wanted to make snacking exciting again.Using everything she learned from her years in corporate brand management, Denise built KONU into a fun, playful snack brand that people genuinely wanted to experience, share, and talk about.That branding mindset—combined with creative storytelling and the power of TikTok—helped transform KONU from a pandemic startup into a fast-growing Filipino brand that's now found in more than 400 stores across the Philippines and has expanded to major supermarkets in Canada, with its reach continuing to grow internationally.The lesson?People may buy your product because they're curious.They become loyal because they believe in your brand.🎙 In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, Denise shares how she applied the branding principles she learned in the corporate world to build KONU, why creating an experience matters as much as creating a product, and how social media transformed a startup into an internationally growing Filipino brand.Whether you're launching a startup, growing a family business, or building your personal brand, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on branding, marketing, and entrepreneurship.💡 If you're an entrepreneur, founder, or business leader with a story that can educate and inspire others, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to my team—you might just be our next guest on The RJ Ledesma Podcast.For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com.#TheRJLedesmaPodcast #TheRJLedesmaExperience #Entrepreneurship #Branding #Marketing #KONU #BusinessGrowth #Startup

MOST FILIPINOS THINK THEY NEED MORE MONEY TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE.WHAT IF THEY JUST NEED BETTER KNOWLEDGE?That's one of the biggest lessons from my conversation with Maves Angeles, CEO of Centro Maven, on The RJ Ledesma Podcast.For years, Maves has been helping aspiring and seasoned investors make smarter real estate decisions. As the head of Centro Maven, she has empowered countless Filipinos to move beyond simply buying property and instead build a strategy for creating long-term wealth through real estate.In this episode, we discuss the mindset, financial habits, and investment principles that separate successful real estate investors from everyone else. We also talk about the common mistakes first-time buyers make, how to identify opportunities, and why knowledge—not just capital—is often the biggest advantage.Maves is also one of the featured speakers at the upcoming Think Rich Pinoy – Real Estate Abundance Seminar on August 8. She'll be sharing practical strategies on building wealth through real estate, alongside Larry Gamboa, author of the bestselling Think Rich, Pinoy!, and other experienced investors and industry experts who have helped thousands of Filipinos on their wealth-building journey.🎙 Watch the full episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast for a preview of the insights she'll be sharing.And if you're serious about building wealth through real estate, I encourage you to join the Think Rich Pinoy – Real Estate Abundance Seminar this August 8.Register and learn more at www.thinkrichpinoy.com.#TheRJLedesmaPodcast #TheRJLedesmaExperience #ThinkRichPinoy #CentroMaven #RealEstateInvesting #FinancialFreedom #WealthBuilding #entrepreneurship For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com.

Some people succeed in real estate.Others shape the entire industry.Alejandro "Andy" Mañalac—better known as "The Shark"—has spent more than three decades selling, leading, mentoring, and developing some of the country's top real estate professionals. When major developers want to train their best salespeople, he's one of the first people they call.But here's the question...What does it really take to build a long and successful career in real estate?In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, Andy shares the principles that have helped him thrive through market booms, economic downturns, and changing industry trends. We talk about what separates top performers from everyone else, how to build trust with clients, why most salespeople fail to last, and the mindset needed to create a career—not just close a sale.As Chairman and Co-Founder of Havitas, Operating Principal of Keller Williams Manila Bay, former Chairman of the National Real Estate Association, and one of the country's most respected real estate trainers, Andy brings decades of hard-earned wisdom that every salesperson, entrepreneur, broker, and business leader can learn from.Whether you're already in real estate, thinking of entering the industry, or simply want to become better at sales, negotiation, and leadership, this is one conversation you won't want to miss.🎙 Watch the latest episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast now.#TheRJLedesmaPodcast #TheRJLedesmaExperience #RealEstate #Sales #SalesLeadership #Entrepreneurship #PropertyInvestment #RealEstateSales #Havitas #LeadershipFor any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com.

When the pandemic brought uncertainty to the real estate industry, most people were playing defense.Jonathan Caro and Alejandro "Andy" Manalac did the exact opposite.After decades of successful careers with some of the country's biggest real estate companies, they walked away from corporate life, bet on themselves, and launched Havitas—a boutique real estate company with one bold belief:F*CK ORDINARY.That philosophy isn't just a tagline. It's how they approach every project they build.From Aya Hills, overlooking the majestic Taal Volcano, to Hinabi in La Union, Havitas is reimagining what real estate can be—creating thoughtfully designed, income-yielding properties that are built to deliver both unforgettable experiences and long-term value.In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, we talk about what it really takes to leave the security of corporate life, build a business during one of the toughest periods in recent history, and challenge conventional thinking in an industry often resistant to change.If you're an entrepreneur, investor, or someone dreaming of building something extraordinary, this conversation is for you.🎙️ Watch the full episode and discover why the biggest opportunities often belong to those who refuse to settle for ordinary.For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com.

Some entrepreneurial journeys come full circle.When Simon Dayrit was growing up, he watched his parents build their business at Mercato Centrale. It wasn't just a weekend market—it was where they learned invaluable business lessons, grew as entrepreneurs, and helped provide for their family.Years later, Simon returned to the very same community—but this time as an entrepreneur himself.Armed with an engineering background, endless curiosity, and countless hours of self-study and experimentation, Simon created Agepan Fried Japanese Bread, a product that quickly became a viral sensation. His innovative take on Japanese fried bread not only won over customers but also earned 2nd Place at the Next Big Food Entrepreneur competition at Mercato Centrale.In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, Simon shares how he turned research into a remarkable food business, why understanding systems and continuous experimentation gave him an edge, and what it feels like to return to the place that first inspired his family's entrepreneurial journey.If you've ever dreamed of turning a simple idea into a thriving business, this is an episode you won't want to miss.Watch now on The RJ Ledesma Podcast.For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com.

In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, I sit down with creator-entrepreneur, content creator, and fellow podcaster Acushla "Killa Kush" Obusan—who also happens to be my niece. After building a sizable social media following and launching her own podcast, The Bad Bitch Bible, she transformed her personal brand into a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.What started with buying and selling clothes from Thailand has grown into multiple successful ventures, including Good Media Agency, a 360-degree influencer marketing and events agency; Good Gang, the team behind popular flea markets, thrift events, and community experiences; and Another Tub, her viral pudding business that now sells around 1,000 tubs every month. In our conversation, she shares how she built her audience, turned followers into customers, leveraged social media to grow real businesses, and the lessons she's learned scaling multiple brands in today's creator economy.Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or aspiring content creator, this episode is packed with practical insights on building a personal brand, creating community, and turning influence into a sustainable business. Watch the full episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast and let us know your biggest takeaway!For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com.