Small Talk! With Alec Cuenca - Motivation & Mindset Podcast

From ₱32,000,000 in Debt to a ₱1B E-Commerce Business


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Steve Sy is one of the most respected names in Philippine e-commerce today. But his success wasn’t built on shortcuts, hype, or overnight wins.


In this episode, Steve breaks down why chasing profit alone can actually destroy a business, how most entrepreneurs scale before they’re ready, and why capacity, systems, and purpose matter more than opportunity.


He opens up about being ₱32,000,000 in debt at 28, spending 12 years paying it all back, and rebuilding from zero before creating a billion-peso e-commerce company. Along the way, he shares the lessons that only come from long-term pressure, painful mistakes, and staying faithful to the process when quitting feels easier.


This conversation goes beyond tactics. It’s about patience in a world obsessed with speed, faith in seasons of uncertainty, and building businesses that last.


If you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or business owner who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or tempted to rush growth.. this episode will challenge how you think about success.


In this episode, we talk about:


- Why profit without purpose can break a business

- The real reason most companies fail when they scale

- The bamboo tree principle and long-term growth

- Paying off massive debt without shortcuts

- Building capacity before chasing opportunity

- Faith, resilience, and responsibility in business

- Why success takes years, not months


If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

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Small Talk! With Alec Cuenca - Motivation & Mindset PodcastBy Alec Cuenca and The Pod Network