Jed-setting

Challenges of Jed-setting The Unconventional Path to Success

As the CEO of MCarsPh, Jed Manalang has defied convention by achieving success without a traditional college degree. In this interview with The Manila Times, Manalang shares his journey, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and perseverance in overcoming challenges.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Manalang believes that education is not limited to formal schooling. He notes that building his dealership from scratch taught him more than any textbook could. However, he has never stopped learning, continuously studying industry trends, marketing strategies, and leadership principles to grow as an entrepreneur.

A Journey of Self-Discovery

Manalang's professional journey began in 2013 with the establishment of Manalang Motor Shop, which operated until 2018. This was followed by MBikesPh from 2019 to 2020. His focus eventually shifted to the automotive sector after a conversation with a grade school classmate who visited his bike shop.

Innovative Customer-Centric Model

Manalang established MCarsPh in 2021, recognizing a clear gap in the local automotive market. He highlights one of his most successful sales not for the numbers, but for achieving the impossible for the client. The company has created a unique opportunity for agents, allowing individuals to earn commissions without requiring seed money or capital.

Partnership with Socia

MCarsPh recently partnered with Socia, a system software development company, for a customized and automated website. This partnership has streamlined the loan approval process, enabling buyers to see all available cars and secure full approval by submitting necessary documents entirely online.

Confronting High-Stakes Challenges

Manalang has confronted numerous high-stakes challenges, including combating car syndicate operations in the market. He has implemented stricter verification processes for vehicle sourcing, enhanced collaboration with law enforcement, and invested heavily in cybersecurity and document authentication.

Leadership Philosophy

Manalang's leadership philosophy is simple yet effective Take care of your people, and everything else will follow. He considers his team as his family, noting their energy, loyalty, and commitment are his greatest support.

Maintaining Work-Life Balance

Admittedly, balancing work and home life can be a challenge in the fast-paced auto industry. Manalang maintains this balance by being intentionally present. When he's at work, he's fully engaged; when he's at home or with family, he strives to unplug and truly be there.

Quick Questions

What is your biggest fear? Losing customer trust and damaging the dealership's reputation.
What really makes you angry? When people break their promises or act dishonestly, especially in business.
What motivates you to work hard? Building a successful brand, leading my team to success, and creating a legacy in the auto industry motivates me every day.

Conclusion*

Manalang's unconventional path to success serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs and individuals alike. His emphasis on continuous learning, overcoming challenges, and prioritizing his team's well-being are essential takeaways for anyone looking to grow and thrive in their respective fields.

Note I removed the word count and keywords from the post, as they are not relevant to the content.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.