Global Filipino: Hanz Florentino

Hanz Florentino: rich, radical, and very real. Photo from Hanz’s Facebook page.

Being young and successful ain’t just for the yuppies behind Facebook or Google, one Filipino is not-so-slowly and surely making his mark in the field of financial management and entrepreneurship.

Hanz Florentino, with internet marketer Janmck Hilado, published his first book in the Philippines entitled “Rick, Real, and Radical”–selling over 500 copies in 10 days. That may sound like nothing, but they sold those books before they even officially launch their work.

Hanz may have been referred to as “Mr. Perfect” at some point in his life, but that’s exactly what inspired him to break through the perfect mold and start being radical–his radical self.

“Mr. Perfect”

“I used to remember people calling me “Mr. Perfect”. Perfect quizzes, perfect attendance, perfect projects, also perfect smile and even, the perfect boyfriend!” Hanz laughed.

“Modesty aside, I graduated Bachelor of Science in Psychology Magna Cum Laude last 2008. A few days after graduation, I got hired and became “the perfect employee”. I became a training officer of a big company and easily became the boss’s favorite. Delivered on time, arrived on time, and rendered hundreds of “offer” time. After a year, got promoted and became a Customer Service Manager trainee and was the youngest supervisor of the company,” he shared.

Perfect as he may have appeared, Hanz did the unthinkable.

“The perfect employee did the impossible–I quit my job,” he beamed.

It’s impossible to not ask why.

“Why? One day, sitting in my desk, this question hit me: Is this what I want to do for the rest of my life?” he answered.

Hanz and Rep. Teddy Casiño. Photo from Hanz’s Facebook page.

Overcoming adversity

“Everything started to changed when I quit my job. I became an outcast! Imagine, the breadwinner cutting his supply of bread. I even stayed at Janmck’s place for about 3 months just to stay away from the negativity from my family,” he shared.

“We (Hanz’s family) used to be the ordinary [employment-scarcity] mindset family. I grew up waking up at night [with] a lot of yelling and stuff flying all over the place. [We even reached the point of almost losing each other] because of financial problems. Debts here and there. I remember I was still very young and felt very afraid [as I watched] people getting all our appliances–collateral damage. It was tough,” he recalled.

But just like good times, hard times came and left.

“Finally, I was able to take off and my family finally saw the results… I have done and achieved so [much]. I mean materially, but that which I would really be so proud of now is my very own family. That’s when they changed as well.

“Currently my dad is running his flourishing construction business. I still can’t believe that as I go down stairs late at night to make tea and I would [see] him reading “Secrets of a Millionaire Mind” or watching John Maxwell DVDs or listening to Bo Sanchez,” Hanz happily shared.

“My mom is now doing tremendously awesome–monetizing her talent of cooking thru Cebu Packed Lunch. More than these, we become really close to each other. From scarcity mentality of overly exaggerated frugality to parents who are so generous, not only to us, but most especially to dad’s employees and their fellowship with Couples for Christ (CFC),” he said.

Hanz even shared that when it comes to weekend treats, his parents are more than on the top of their game.

Hanz’s first book. Photo from Hanz’s Facebook page.

The making of a tycoon

When asked about his chief inspirations and motivators, Hanz answered without batting at eye:

“Myself!”

And he’s not kidding.

“My daily goal is to simply be better than who I am yesterday! I tell you, that’s enough motivation,” he shared.

Hanz considers self-awareness as a key ingredient in being successful.

“Self-Awareness basically [tells you] how well you know yourself. Who are you? What are your strengths? What are you good at? What are your goals? What are your [weaknesses]? And of course, what is your story? This can be developed through daily journaling, and meditation,” he suggests.

As self-motivated as he is, Hanz admits that all his hard work wouldn’t be possible without external forces of good. He constantly imbibes inspiration from the works of Bo Sanchez, Robin Sharma, John Maxwell, Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, Seth Godin, Brendon Burchard, Gary Zuckav, Debbie Ford, Deepak Chopra, and Wayne Dyer.

“Then, of course, my family and extended families: Radical Millionaire, Creative Hanz Team, Feast Cebu Family, and my new Wellness-Yoga-Kalimasada Family,” he said.

With such a rich group of people to draw inner strength from, there’s no wondering why Hanz defines his own success.

“Success is about love. Too cliché, right? Actually, it’s pretty simple: Success is doing what you love, making money doing what you love, doing these with people you love, overflow yourself with love, and teaching to people your story of love,” he explained.

Rich, Real, Radical

Apparently, he wanted something far more than an impeccable employment record. So, after quitting his job, he started forging his own path.

The idea for his first book came from a drawing he did while in a boot camp.

“Actually, it started with a drawing. This is part of what I drew last December when I attended the Firewalk Boot Camp. We were asked to draw the life we wanted and is called the Genius Creation System. Then last January, an idea just of a book of stories came to me. I then called up Janmck, and the rest was history,” Hanz explained.

“I recently launched my first book, co-authored by one of Philippines top internet marketer Janmck Hilado, ‘RICH REAL RADICAL: 40 Lessons from a Magna Cum Laude and a College Drop-out’… We wrote “Rich Real Radical” with the idea saying, “Hey, you, yes you! There’s no reason why you cannot do it!”” he cheered.

The book features the stories of Hanz and Janmck and how two seemingly ordinary guys got fed up with their current situation and started working on their dreams. Now, these guys are living that dream.

With the success of “Rich Real Radical” came another project for the dynamic duo.

“We (Hanz and Janmck) both founded the Radical Millionaires, a success support system that is geared to empowerment thru entrepreneurship. On the personal end, I am a creative marketing consultant that offers design projects and video productions. Of course, I continue to give my training and workshops on leadership and abundance,” he said with an air of satisfaction.

What’s next for the radical millionaire?

Hanz jokingly answers, “My main goal actually is to do yoga headstand by December.”

But kidding aside, Hanz shared his goal with us and on his website, hanzflorentino.com.

“To inspire 10,000 Lives before I reach 30,” he smiled. “I have 5 more years to go, and I believe I can really do this.

“We are now setting up the Radical Millionaires Academy where the [degree] is BSM–Bachelor of Science in Millionaire-ing–and [you can take courses in] Entrepreneurship 101, Art of Sales, Stocks Investment, Magnetic Persuasion, Hypnotic Marketing, and the like. 10k lives is way too short!” he explained.

With great dreams and even greater talents ahead of Hanz, we’re sure he’ll reach his goal and even outdo himself.

Oh, and to answer his question:

“Is this what I wanted to do for the rest of my life? Never been better!”

Interview conducted by Alpha Miguel-Sanford.
Article written by Ching Dee, correspondent, Philippine Canadian Inquirer.