Henry Sy Quotes

Powerful Henry Sy for Daily Growth

About Henry Sy

Henry Sy Quotes (1924-2019) was a Filipino entrepreneur and business magnate, best known as the founder of SM Investments Corporation and the SM Prime Holdings, Inc., which transformed the Philippine retail landscape. Born in Xagasan, Binmaley, Pangasinan on February 23, 1924, Sy Quotes was the eldest son of a Chinese-Filipino couple who ran a small general store. At the age of nine, he moved to Manila and began his career as a peddler at Divisoria Market. This early experience in trading would shape his future endeavors. After serving in the Philippines' Armed Forces during World War II, Sy Quotes ventured into the shoe retail business with a single SM Department Store branch in 1958. The acronym 'SM' stood for Shoemart, the original name of the company. Over the years, he expanded his business by introducing new concepts such as shopping malls and warehouse clubs. The success of Sy Quotes can be attributed to his shrewd business sense, adaptability, and a deep understanding of customer needs. He was known for his humility and hard work, often working long hours alongside his employees. His entrepreneurial journey led him to create the SM Prime Holdings, Inc., which is now one of the largest property developers in Southeast Asia, with numerous shopping malls across the Philippines. Henry Sy Quotes passed away on January 19, 2019, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire Filipino entrepreneurs and business leaders. His significant contributions to the Philippine economy earned him recognition as one of the country's richest individuals and a key figure in Asia's retail industry. Some notable quotes by Henry Sy Quotes include: "Success is not about how much you make, but about how much joy you get out of what you make," and "I have always believed that success comes from hard work, perseverance, and a little bit of luck." These words serve as reminders of the values and principles that guided him throughout his life.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."

This quote by Henry Sy emphasizes the importance of perseverance in achieving success. The message here is that even though success may come, it's not a guaranteed permanent state, and failure is inevitable at some point. However, the true measure of one's character lies not in the final result (success or failure), but rather in the courage to continue moving forward despite setbacks or obstacles encountered along the way. It highlights the resilience needed for long-term success, suggesting that persistence and determination are key qualities that lead to continued progress towards one's goals.


"Start small, think big."

The quote "Start small, think big" by Henry Sy encourages individuals to begin with modest ambitions and small-scale initiatives, while maintaining a vision for significant, transformative growth. This philosophy embodies the idea that even seemingly insignificant beginnings can lead to extraordinary outcomes if one sets their sights on grander aspirations. It's a reminder that ambitious goals should not deter us from starting our journey towards them; instead, we should embrace the power of small, deliberate steps to achieve great things over time.


"The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it."

This quote by Henry Sy emphasizes the value of perseverance and resilience. It suggests that when faced with significant challenges or obstacles, the triumph achieved in overcoming them is even more noteworthy and praiseworthy. The message inspires us to embrace difficult situations as opportunities for growth, rather than retreating from them, and encourages a mindset that values personal development and achievement.


"You can achieve anything you want if you help others get what they want."

This quote suggests that selfless acts of helping others to achieve their goals or desires can lead to one's own success. By focusing on the needs of others, one not only builds positive relationships but also creates opportunities for collaboration, reciprocity, and goodwill. As a result, these connections and experiences may inadvertently facilitate the achievement of personal ambitions. Essentially, this quote underscores the idea that true success is achieved by helping others achieve their goals.


"Don't wait for opportunities, create them."

This quote by Henry Sy suggests that instead of passively waiting for chances to come your way, one should proactively generate their own opportunities. It emphasizes the importance of self-initiative and being resourceful in creating paths towards success, rather than just relying on external circumstances or luck. In essence, it encourages individuals to be innovative, determined, and persistent in their pursuit of goals.


Doing a mall is not only construction of the physical place: what is important is the merchandising mix. We strive to serve the convenience of the public. We want shopping at our malls to be a unique and an enjoyable experience.

- Henry Sy

Doing, Want, Mall, Convenience

I've always wanted to be a businessman. No other ambitions - I just wanted to be in business, even when I was a child in Fujian province, south China.

- Henry Sy

Business, Always, Other, Province

I used to roller skate a lot in my youth on Taft Avenue, Manila. That is the reason there is always a skating area in all my SM malls. I want more people to share my love for skating.

- Henry Sy

Love, Always, Area, Manila

My businesses are all related - retail, shopping centers, banking, real estate, and tourism development. Together they create synergy.

- Henry Sy

Development, Synergy, Estate, Businesses

Our businesses also help promote socio-economic progress.

- Henry Sy

Progress, Help, Promote, Businesses

My basic strategy is to stick to my core business and to my area of expertise.

- Henry Sy

Business, Core, Area, Strategy

I took a risk and invested in SM Mall of Asia because I wanted to create something that could contribute to Philippine tourism growth.

- Henry Sy

Mall, Could, Took, Invested

Ever since I was a kid, I've always believed in doing my best, that one should aspire to be No. 1.

- Henry Sy

Doing, Kid, Always, Believed

I started with shoes, and with hard work and discipline, the business prospered.

- Henry Sy

Work, Hard Work, Business, Discipline

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