I’m Chris Formoso, from the Philippines. Im 23 years old, single with no kids.

I started business when I was 21. My role models have been Richard Branson, Trump, Warren Buffet, Michael Dell, My mum, tycoons in the Phil. and so many more!

Trying to recall now how I got into business and the small success I enjoy I believed was pure luck, until I recently read Outliers and finally this article. True enough, I know now that simply showing up was what made me this lucky.

I was taking up business mgt in one of the most prestigious colleges of our country, yet deep inside I saw bs/ a lot of things i thought we would never use in a true work setting especially in business, having seen my mom grow her small advertising firm. I ’rebeled’, got bad grades and on my 2nd year I got kicked out. My mother despite being furious, asked what i wanted to do with my life. I didnt know, and I was lost and depressed having disappointed mum so much.

Then during summer I remembered how much i enjoyed the book, Losing my virginity by Richard Branson, i picked out as we were required to read and talk about a book in our english subject. I was hooked. How awesome would it be to build a life like he did? I read more about people like and eventually turned to studying entrepreneurship in a newly established college. I soon started my first business outside of school out of coincidence.

My good friend from my previous college happens who happens to have the same complaints with our previous school and interests in business (yes we both got kicked out and transferred to the same school at the same time, happened to be looking for scrap cartons and asking around my mom happened to have a friend that has a factory which had lots of them to sell! With as little as 5 thousand pesos each (a little over 100usd) we became partners. And the rest is history!

I have since recently sold my shares to him for a small fortune. But still have one running business with him also as my partner which manufactures 100% recycled paperboard products like file boxes and desk organizers, and three other projects in the making. I dont know yet how things will turn out but Im having the time of my life living it! The best part about it is the freedom of being able to go where and do what Ive always wanted (not quite there yet especially this crucial time but Ill definitely get there!) and getting to live my dream  (at the least in a smaller scale. For now.) :)

Sincerely,
Chris Formoso

So I am a jazz musician and am currently reading your book. I am trying to incorporate your philosophy into my daily life and it is interesting so far. I am not sure if you are familiar with a pianist named kenny werner, and if you are that is great because much of his mantra is similar to youre, and if not you most definitely should check him out. His book “Effortless Mastery” is eerily similar to yours and I am wondering if you both had similar muses.

I also was wondering, if you had any thoughts about the jazz music world and if there is a way for my generation of musicians to revive it. Finally, if you have any thoughts about finding ways to make money when you have none to start with that would be awesome to hear about too, and if you ever need a trumpet player, horn section(from 2-10piece) or band of any kind please let me know.

Thanks much,
Jon Lijoi

I thought that your book was great.

I am still trying to master the part about not checking email very often. That has been incredibly hard for me.