For many, a college degree is highly essential to make it big in life. But it isn’t the only path to success.
A classic example of this is bilyonaryo Edward K. Lee who decided higher education wasn’t for him but still achieved success. He dropped out of college at the age of 19 and went on to build an enormous net worth for himself.
In the second episode of Usapang Bilyonaryo aired on CNN Philippines, Lee told veteran journalist Ces Oreña-Drilon how he hustled his way to success.
“I studied industrial engineering but I couldn’t finish it. I didn’t really enjoy school… At the age of 17 or 18, I was exposed to entrepreneurship so I was more focused on doing that,” he said.
Lee left school (De La Salle University) to pursue his own interests. He worked as a data encoder or key puncher at Equitable Computer Services, a progressive computer solutions provider led by business magnate Antonio Go who also owns Maxicare and Medilink.
“I worked for P8 a day at Equitable Computer Services after dropping out…I was a key puncher, a verifier,” he said.
Lee said perseverance, determination and the unconditional love from his parents got him through the hard times.
“Life was very difficult back then. My mom was a teacher. My dad was a salesman. So I was taking the jeep. Nagji-jeep, nagbu-bus. Minsan lumalakad pauwi.
We live in our apartment in Paco, and eventually we had to move. I was 21 years old and we had to move to Quezon City where we had a small apartment,” said Lee, who now lives in one of the exclusive and upscale enclaves in Metro Manila.
“I was very fortunate that I was loved unconditionally. Walang choice kasi ako ang bunso. But the beauty of that was i really got a lot of encouragement rather than being criticized na di tayo marunong mag-aral. So I was very fortunate. In fact, I never felt poor even if we were in that condition,” he said.
Lee worked as a wallpaper salesman. He then set up a trading company with two partners, selling wall and window coverings.
He admitted that while he didn’t enjoy school, he joined an organization called the Junior Achievement of the Philippines which drove him into being his own boss.
“I really wanted to become an entrepreneur, then I was exposed to the stock market, ” said Lee, a former governor of the Philippine Stock Exchange.
Lee’s passion and advocacy for financial literacy led him to put up COL Financial, the leading online stock brokerage house in the Philippines with over 500,000 customers.
He also owns CTS Global Equity Group, one of the country’s largest global stock trading firms, as well as Caylum Institute, which is focused on developing professional market traders.
“So if I can become what I am today, then (anyone can). I really believe that,” said the 67-year old Lee.
