The True Value of Ideas in Business

As entrepreneurs, we often believe that our most valuable contribution is our ideas. And while good ideas matter, I’ve learned over time that the real value lies not in generating ideas—but in executing them.

This chapter is about ideas—how they’re born, how they’re judged, and how they’re brought to life in business. If you’re someone sitting on a great business idea, this is for you. Because what you’ll read here might help you take that idea from thought to reality—and not let it stay just a dream.

Letting Go of the Ego Behind the Idea

If you’ve followed my vlogs, you probably already know about one of my businesses, KARCO. I built that with my closest friends—my barkada, my tropa. And recently, someone commented on one of my posts questioning whether the ideas behind our products were even mine anymore. He implied that they weren’t my original ideas.

Ten years ago, that would’ve triggered my pride. I wanted all the great ideas to come from me. I wanted credit. I wanted to be known as the idea guy. I would’ve gone on the defensive.

But not anymore.

After countless business failures—and I mean failures—I’ve come to realize something powerful: I don’t need to be the source of every great idea. And more importantly, I don’t need to take credit for them.

The truth is, clinging to ownership—whether it's of money, recognition, or ideas—can actually push those things away. When you obsess about being the one behind every great idea, your pride blocks progress.

Why Great Ideas Die in Silence

Many people never launch a business because they’re afraid someone will "steal" their idea. They keep it locked inside, hoping to protect it.

But here’s the reality: if you never share that idea, no one can support it. No one can help you build it. So what happens? The idea dies with you.

It doesn't matter how amazing it is—if it’s not shared, nurtured, and acted upon, it’s worthless.

I’ve seen it again and again. Entrepreneurs let their fear of losing credit hold them back. But if we want to build something real, we have to let go of that fear.

The Real Job of an Entrepreneur

Here’s what I’ve learned:
The entrepreneur's job isn’t to generate all the great ideas. It’s to extract the best ideas from the people around them—their team, partners, even outsiders. It’s to encourage creativity, not monopolize it.

If you're too proud to accept that someone else’s idea might be better than yours, your business won’t grow. Period.

The companies that grow are those where everyone—yes, even the janitor—feels empowered to think, to contribute, and to share ideas without fear.

Execution Is the Real Battlefield

You’ve probably heard the quote:
"Ideas are easy. Execution is hard."
And I fully believe that.

There are so many great ideas floating around. They're on the internet, in coffee shops, in family conversations. But the real struggle is in executing those ideas.

Filipinos are brilliant. Many of us have ideas on how to fix government, solve poverty, or improve businesses. But we lack people who are brave enough to act on those ideas.

That’s where the gap is. Not in imagination—but in execution.

It’s in the doing that we fall short. Because acting on an idea means risking failure, embarrassment, and criticism. It takes courage. That’s why few succeed.

Why the CEO Gets Paid the Most

Do you know who’s paid the highest in a company?
The CEO—Chief Executive Officer.

Not Chief Idea Officer.
Because the CEO’s job is to execute. To turn ideas into reality.

And if you're an entrepreneur, you are the CEO of your business. That means your job is not just to dream—but to act. To take the risk. To move the idea forward even when it’s not perfect. Even when it’s someone else’s.

So if you’ve been waiting for the perfect idea or trying to be the one who thinks of everything—you’re doing it wrong.

Final Thoughts

Kasosyo, I hope this chapter helped you see the difference between having ideas and executing them. And I hope you feel empowered now to share, collaborate, and act.

The world doesn’t need more great thinkers.

It needs more doers.

It needs you—not just to imagine, but to make it happen.