Entrepreneur, businessman, and builder of dreams. Get to know Robert Gerard Nazal Jr., his diverse businesses, and his success story.

Robert Gerard Nazal, Jr. is a dream builder. As the figurehead of seven different companies in the country, it’s not a stretch to call him a renaissance man. From wellness companies to mining and construction, Robert was no stranger to the world of business.

He admits, however, that all of it feels like a dream—one that began a long time ago. He begins, “It has always been my dream to run my own business but I never thought [that] I will turn out to be a serial entrepreneur [and] managing several businesses.”

Build, Build, Build

To him, every part of his life played an important role in placing him where he is today. While there are obvious factors like his undergraduate degree from Ateneo de Manila University and his post-graduate degree in Business Economics at the University of Asia and the Pacific, there are also more whimsical factors to consider. Like his childhood interests and the way he saw the world around him.

“As a young boy, I was fascinated by earth minerals that I used to collect stones and play with magnetic sand. At the present, I am the CEO of MRMJ Earthmovers Corporation, a company that extracts nickel, iron ore, basalt, and andesite all over the country,” he shares.

Robert was also fond of building things as a kid, which makes sense now that he’s the CEO of PERRC Construction and Development Corporation, a category AAA contractor for ports, roads, and bridges for the last 24 years. In fact, they’re now exacting change on a national level with their large contributions to the Build Build Build program.

From Simple Beginnings to Success

As he currently enjoys all his success, Robert continues to fondly remember the early days. He shares, “When I was still in university, my mother’s practice was thriving. She was making her own products and selling them through her clinics.”

He soon saw the opportunity to expand distribution by making them available through mainstream retail outlets. “As soon as I graduated, I set things in motion,” he adds.

While most stories normally say “…and the rest is history,” Robert goes on to share that, “It wasn’t easy at first because our brand was relatively unknown to retailers. I thought it was that simple to get your products in retail outlets until I experienced my first series of rejections when I spoke directly to the buyers. I never knew they would expect a brand plan, an ad budget, and an ‘in-store support plan’ from me. This was my first dose of reality in the FMCG market.”

Robert had a lot to learn and he needed to be smart with what he had. “In order to succeed, we had to differentiate ourselves. And due to limited resources, we had to focus our marketing on the niche that we created.”

Holistic Health and Wellness

Fast forward to the present, he is also now the CEO and President of HealthWellnessLifestyle, Inc. Innovation was the goal for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company. “Our mission is to improve the quality of life of every Filipino by providing innovative nutraceutical products that extend beyond the needs of everyday hygiene.” This includes solutions to preventive health, positive self-image, and enhanced well-being.

Their vision, on the other hand, is to make health and wellness commonplace in every Filipino’s lifestyle. In order to do this, they know that it had to be accessible. And for that, breaking exclusivity was the key. “We wanted to promote a positive routine that was readily attainable for every Filipino. Through our various products, we have provided a holistic health and wellness approach for an individual to look good and feel good.”

“We believe that good health is beyond the physical and that a positive self-image also serves as an integral portion of our wellness and well-being,” he adds.

By planning his business sustainably, he knows that he should keep his mission and vision in mind always. And while a business can change with the times, it too can continue to serve its main purpose. “You need the ability to adapt and evolve to the constantly changing business climate and ensure that all stakeholders continue to be happy,” he goes on to reveal.

After turning his plans into actionable steps—even now, during a pandemic—they’ve only grown to be more essential. “Aside from being an immune-system booster, our products make you feel better because every time you look in the mirror, you love what you see.”

On Making Your Business Grow

As Robert enjoys the fruits of his labor, he’s always aware of the struggles of young entrepreneurs. Citing capital as the main barrier of entry, he says: “We had to be creative in selling ourselves in terms of making our business concept viable for financial institutions to take notice and give you the financial assistance you will need, so you always have to be prepared.”

Thus, Robert suggests coming in with feasibility studies, although you too should be prepared when something unexpected sneaks around the corner. “The more prepared you are, the less costly the mistake will be,” he shares. “Never think you are the most intelligent person in the room. Keep in mind that ‘the loudest one in the room is the weakest.’”

His final piece of advice? “Never ever give up. Do not expect that you will succeed instantly. Expect that there are plenty of challenges but no matter what, never surrender.”

RELATED STORIES:

A Man of Many Blessings: Wilbert Tolentino Shares It All

Moments and Lessons in Business

Inspiring Advice for the New Year From the Top CEOs in the Philippines