Dustin Yu credits David Licauco as business mentor: ‘Ang dami niyang natulong sa akin’

Dustin Yu shared how David Licauco inspired him to venture into the food business, revealing that he played a key mentoring role in his journey as an entrepreneur.

In an interview with Karen Davila on YouTube, Dustin said David encouraged him to consider the restaurant industry, especially as a first business, because of the hands-on learning it offers.

“Ang nag-inspire talaga sa akin is si David Licauco. Siya naman talaga ‘yung naging mentor ko sa business. So sinabi niya sa akin sa restaurant kasi maganda siyang pasukin lalo na pag first time since madami kang matututunan. So lahat ng aspects ng business matututunan mo, like marketing, finance, HR, lahat talaga. Pinasok ko siya,” Dustin said.

According to Dustin, his friendship with his fellow Sparkle star deepened as he witnessed how the latter balanced showbiz and entrepreneurship.

“Nung time na nagkakilala kami, nagsa-start na siyang mag-business. Papadala siya ng food sa set, tapos ako parang, ‘Wow. Ang galing nito. Artista tapos may business,’” he said.

At the time, Dustin admitted he was struggling financially and became motivated to pursue multiple income streams.

“Lagi na akong sumasama sa kanya sa meetings niya. Lagi niya akong sinasama sa restaurant niya. Hindi niya alam na inaaral ko na lahat. ‘Pag wala siya sa restaurant niya, pumupunta ako. Kinakausap ko 'yung managers niya. Tapos pumupunta ako sa kitchen. Inaaral ko na lahat,” he said.

Their discussions later led David to encourage Dustin to start small.

David told him, “Alam mo, kailangan mo maghanap ng parang stable income o kaya passive income. Kumuha ka ng location, maghanap ka, mag-ikot-ikot ka.”

Immediately after, Dustin opened a chicken stall inside a school’s canteen.

“Nung time na ‘yon, binenta ko ‘yung flavored fried chicken. Parang ‘yung sa kanya din kasi yun nga 'di ba may Kuya Korea siya. So ako naman sabi ko gawa nga ako ng mini version niyan. So doon ako na-inspire hangga't sa tinuruan niya na ako paano mag-marketing, paano mag-handle ng tao, paano kumausap ng mga suppliers ganyan,” he said.

Reflecting on their relationship, Dustin described David as more than just a friend.

“'Yung friendship namin, hindi lang siya mababaw eh. Ang dami rin kasi naming pinagdaanan. Ang dami rin naming similarities. Si David parang kapatid ko na rin talaga siya. Ang dami niyang natulong sa akin sa business, sa love, sa career,” he said.

Dustin is starring in the MMFF entry “Love You So Bad” with Bianca De Vera and Will Ashley.

David is set to star alongside Jillian Ward in “Never Say Die.”

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News