Running a business often involves cold professionalism, focus on investment returns, periodic evaluations, and continuous strategizing. To run your life like a business could not sound more un-Filipino, a total antithesis of our culture of warmth, friendliness, and leaving things to faith.

But this might be Rhea Topacio’s secret to success. The founder of Pamana World, makers of pioneering European- made Filipino products, applies corporate strategy in managing her life and successful food ventures.

Taking a cue from her corporate training, Rhea is a serial evaluator. She regularly assesses her life – from how productive her day is to what she is getting in return from the time that she invests in something.

“I always have a goal, something I can look forward to. If you don’t have a goal, you will be walking in loops. How would you see progress? You have to direct your everyday hobbies and whatever you do, toward that goal. Eyes on the prize. I want to ROI on everything, including my personal relationships.” Rhea says matter-of- factly during our interview at Eyebrow Lab, owned by her good friend Edson Gonzales.

An ROI on relationships, she explains later, can be the minutest gesture from others she invested time in, like a listening ear when she needs to vent out, a reassuring hug from a friend, laughter even during phone meetings or an honest feedback about a product she is testing. Rhea, with her vast network in the Filipino community, knows how to invest in people and relationships.