Be a Bold Creator, Not Just a Copycat in Business

If you still watch TV, you're probably familiar with shows like The Voice or Tawag ng Tanghalan. Our helper at home often watches them, and since our condo isn’t that big, I end up watching along sometimes. Honestly, I’m amazed—there are so many insanely talented Filipino singers. World-class, no doubt about it.

But I noticed something that made me think deeply.

Two Types of Creators: Copy vs Bold

Let me share something I’ve realized over the years. I believe there are two types of creators in the world:

1. Copy Creators – Those who create by imitating others.

2. Bold Creators – Those who create from their own beliefs and originality.

And this is where many talented Filipinos get stuck. Most of the singers in those contests? They’re copy creators. They sing songs already made popular by other artists. And the more they sound exactly like the original, the more they’re praised.

That’s the system. The more you imitate, the more you're celebrated. But here's the catch: being great at copying won’t make you last.

Why Bold Creators Win Long-Term

Even if you win contests, if all you do is sing other people’s songs, you’ll eventually fade away. The ones who last in the industry are those who write and sing their own songs — the bold creators. Because the world favors the bold.

There’s nothing wrong with being inspired by others. But if you never step into your own voice, if you never dare to create something original, you’ll always just be another version of someone else.

We’ve seen kids perform and perfectly imitate Regine Velasquez, and yes, we’re amazed. But let a kid sing an original song that no one understands, and suddenly no one claps. No one notices. No one appreciates. And that's heartbreaking.

So many potential bold creators stop creating because no one sees them at first. They get discouraged. They give up. And they return to the safe path—copying. Because that’s where the applause is.

The Same Is True in Business

This isn’t just about music or the arts. This is also true in business.

You have a choice: start a business that copies someone else’s model — or build something original, something bold, something that only you could create.

Copy businesses may work for a while. But bold businesses? They change industries, they build legacies, they inspire movements.

It’s harder at the start. People won’t get it. They might even laugh at you. But all the greatest innovators and entrepreneurs were laughed at in the beginning. The question is: will you keep going?

Final Advice for Entrepreneurs

Whether it’s in music, invention, or negosyo — you decide what kind of creator you want to be. There’s no shame in copying when you’re learning. But if your dream is big, you need to be bold.

Don’t be afraid to do something that’s never been done before. Use others as inspiration, not a template. Show the world what only you can offer. Even if it’s hard in the beginning, don’t stop. Don’t go back to copying. Keep moving forward. Be a leader. Be a bold creator.

That’s my advice, kasosyo. Your future business? Make it yours. Gawa mo. Hindi gaya ng iba.