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Sometime in 2004, however, Javier met an American of Hindu descent as both of them were buying cellular phone cards from a shop in Ortigas. The man had information technology companies in the United States and India and was about to start a call center company in the Philippines. "We just started talking," says Javier. "He asked for my e-mail address and after several e-mail exchanges, he invited me join him in his business."

This was how Javier got to work in 2005 with Digiquest Sivox, where he soon became the vice president for sales and operations. He explains how he got promoted that fast: "I believe my seniors were happy with the way I worked. I always anticipated their needs, doing things for them even before they asked. When they stayed overseas, I took care of the business here."

Much as he enjoyed his work with Digiquest Sivox, though, he felt that something was still missing. "They were paying me a very good salary with good benefits, but I still wasn't happy," he says. "I then asked myself—how long was I going to work for someone else to have a good life?" And had he not promised himself to succeed in his own business like his pastor-businessman mentor?

It was then that he decided to put his money into the IT industry, inspired by its bigness. "That time when I was in the call center, IT was booming," he says. "Everyone wanted to have their software updated, everyone wanted to have a presence online." So, at 25, with only his faith and P300,000 from his savings, he started his own IT solutions business in January 2006.

With Web design and applications as his primary service, he got started by hiring only one programmer, one graphic designer, one office secretary, and a small pool of project-based programmers and graphic designers. Then, one by one, he started contacting his network in the call center industry to offer his IT services. He promoted the business everywhere and every chance he got—when getting together with friends, when attending parties and other events. And he offered a referral fee as incentive to those who could give him the names of potential clients.

The business started with less than ten projects, but through his persistence and by working long hours, he was able to recover his initial investment in less than two months. And the business continued to grow, drawing small and medium enterprises, corporations, and sometimes even individuals for its clientele.

Javier initially called his business Webplus Solutions Inc., the "plus" to convey the idea that his company offered much more than web development. Indeed, his business by then was also already doing e-commerce solutions, system development solutions, and web hosting and maintenance. And in every project, he ensured that his company always delivered what he calls "service with a plus," which means "making clients happy so they would remember Webplus for making them happy."

After running the company for a little over a year, Javier changed the company's name to Webplus7 Solutions Inc., after he invited friends to join him in the firm's board of directors. "The other board members and I are six all in all, and the seventh one is God," he says, explaining the additional "7" in the new company name. He then expanded his regular work force to 10 employees and widened his pool of project-based programmers and designers.

Today, drawing from his network in the call center industry and from referrals, Webplus7 Solutions now serves not only local clients but also clients from the US, Australia, and Canada. Its overseas business has been so brisk that he now plans to set up marketing offices in all three countries.

"Our vision is to be a global IT company, and it's beginning to happen," he says, explaining that this global vision applies to every aspect of their work. "For example, when we design a website for a local client, we ensure that its look would appeal to people not only here in the Philippines but also in other countries."

Javier believes that there is only one direction for his business—forward. "The sky's the limit in this business because everyone needs IT," he says with evident passion. "So whenever I get discouraged, I just keep going, believing that the results will come. And they do come."

He says that at times, when he looks back to his batang palengke days, he is truly amazed to see where he is now and where he is headed. "Everything is possible with God," he says, "even the things you think impossible."

CONTACT DETAILS:

JJ JAVIER
WEBPLUS7 SOLUTIONS INC.
G/F Griffin Center, LRI Business Plaza
Nicanor Garcia St., Bel-Air II, Makati City
Telephone: (02) 898-0583 locals 105, 106
E-mail Address: info@webplus7solutions.com
Website: www.webplus7solutions.com

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