My Journey to Build a Fried Chicken Empire — One Step at a Time

Eight years ago, I came to the Philippines to follow my dream and find myself. I arrived with nothing but a backpack full of clothes and my life savings — no job waiting, no parents to fall back on (they both passed away), just an unshakable belief that I could build something of my own. I took a flyer on myself because I knew my vision was worth it: to create a food empire built from the ground up — one that celebrates flavor, culture, and grit.

Since then, I’ve lived the full spectrum of the entrepreneurial journey — from the thrill of success to the sting of failure. I’ve opened food concepts, served thousands of customers, and learned what it truly means to start from zero. There were moments of doubt, yes, but never defeat. Every setback became a lesson, every challenge a test of persistence.

Now, as I approach another milestone birthday, I feel like my story is coming full circle. I’ve spent the past year refining my next big idea — a fried chicken kiosk brand that’s ready to take off. The wheels are already turning; the concept is solid, the testing’s done, and all that’s missing now is the fuel to make it happen.

But instead of asking for capital to fund the business, I’m asking for something simpler — a small starter fund of $1,000 to help me get to the U.S., renew my passport, buy a ticket to San Francisco, and work for six months. I want to earn the capital myself — through hard work, sacrifice, and determination — the same way I’ve approached everything in life.

This isn’t just about fried chicken. It’s about a dream that’s taken eight years to shape and a lifetime to believe in. It's my birthday next year, and this milestone isn’t just about age — it’s about proving that it’s never too late to bet on yourself again.