What's your job about?
StorageMart Corporation is the brainchild of Howard Sy, grandson of the late business tycoon, Henry Sy. Sr. The company was established in 2016 with a specific goal - to be the benchmark in offering quality self-storage in the Philippines. At present, we have 10 self-storage facilities in Metro Manila - 3 in Makati, 3 in Quezon City, 2 in San Juan, 1 in Parañaque, and 1 in Pasig. We aim to help individuals, households, and businesses conveniently store their items in a safe and secure facility. We make moving, packing, and storing easier for everyone.
Our typical day usually starts with a thorough checking of our facility, making sure that everything is in place, and that our facility is ocular ready for potential clients in need of storage space with top-notch 24/7 security! Self-storage is still a foreign idea to the majority of our target market, that is why we are here to break the stigma and help our fellow Filipinos live a clutter-free life, whether it’s in their office or in their homes. What do we really do? We help people from different demographics take the first step to an organized life by offering affordable, world-class services and flexible terms.
What's your background?
I am a proud Iskolar ng Bayan, I graduated from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and started my career as an Executive Assistant of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza’s Food and Beverage Director. In my tenure at the hotel, I have handled and organized international and local events, assisted expatriates, and learned how to balance work, my studies, and my social life. After my experience as a hotelier, I decided to hone my management skills and worked as a Restaurant General Manager for KFC. I worked with the company for seven years and enjoyed and learned every day. Working in one of the country’s biggest fast-food restaurants has been a challenge, you’ll experience the highs of achieving set store targets, the lows and struggles of handling difficult customers and situations, and the in-betweenness of a normal yet fulfilling shift. Everything changed when COVID hit.
The hospitality industry was one of the industries greatly affected by the pandemic, branches were closed, employees were left without a job, unmet targets, and exhaustion. I felt burnt out, I felt like I was not giving my 100 % and it did not sit right with me. I decided to take a sabbatical, collect my thoughts, and rest. I came up with the resolve to resign and explore other fields. As I was browsing through one internet article to another, I stumbled upon StorageMart Corporation’s job vacancy. I read articles about the industry, my interest was piqued and I wanted to give it a try. I have been working with the company for almost 6 months and I can say that everyone has the same mission as the company, to uplift the quality of life of Filipinos by providing world-class self-storage services.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Yes! I came from a different industry, there were adjustments at first but I consider every day as a learning process. Now, I am more in tune with my current job. I think it will work with anyone who has the right mindset, eagerness to learn and adapt. This job requires patience, you will have to deal with customers with different levels of understanding. Effective communication is also important, as we have to talk with clients using different modes; call, email, text, etc.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
One of the selling points of this job for me is the leaves! I have not exercised my right to use my credits due to my previous jobs being demanding, and now that I know I can spend all the holidays with my family excites me and pushes me to work harder. The company also values our individual opinions and takes notes of our ideas, we respect each other and our workplace has a relaxed atmosphere.
What are the limitations of your job?
With the effects of COVID still on the rise, contributing to our company’s profit has proven to be a challenge. Executing marketing ideas and establishing customer connections should be part of our priorities. But given the situation we are in, it’s an impenetrable wall. It has dampened our creativity, ideas flow but we cannot execute them.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
I had a wonderful time at university. Like many others, I look back very fondly on those days – balancing the many demands of studies and play, through countless late nights and cups of coffee. I left with a good degree and a raft of great friends. And if I would give myself, as a graduate in 2013, three pieces of advice, here’s what I’ll say: Do stuff you enjoy, find activities that will motivate and stimulate you, it may be playing for a certain sports team, attending a particular series of lectures, writing about a subject that fascinates you or joining a club. Cope with failure and learn from mistakes, take risks and see mistakes as learning opportunities, not things to be avoided. Last would be, find your passion. Don’t be in a hurry to grow up, get experience with what you love. You do not need to do everything immediately.