Build from here

In 1958, Henry Sy opened ShoeMart, a small shoe store on Carriedo Street in Manila. His eldest daughter, Tessie, was working in the family business by 13 and running SM’s first department store at 22. Today she is vice chairperson of SM Investments and chairperson of BDO, the Philippines’ largest bank. Small and mid-sized businesses run nearly 70% of the more than 22,000 stores in SM’s malls. Through more than 12,000 sari-sari stores and other small shops acting as its agents, BDO now reaches towns with few or no bank branches. In this fireside chat, she reflects on what a family store taught her about people and money, and on what it takes for growth to reach every community.