Life as Your First Business: Real Lessons from Lionheart’s CEO

On July 23, the boardroom of Lionheart Farms turned into more than just a meeting room. Instead of executives and presentations, it had welcomed senior high school students from San Jose National High School. They came as part of The Boardroom Experience, a Go Negosyo program that gives students a real look into how businesses grow from purpose.

But what unfolded that day wasn’t a typical business lecture. It became a conversation about life, leadership, and how success begins with how you manage yourself long before any company or career will do.

It Starts with You

When asked about running a business, CEO and co-founder of Lionheart Farms, Christian Eyde Moeller, gave a surprising answer. Instead of diving into profits or plans, he began answering with something deeper: running a business starts with yourself.

He explained that leadership starts from within. Before managing others, you must learn how to manage your own time, energy, and habits. This idea shifted the room’s focus. Business became not only about ideas or money, but it’s about personal direction.

Look at your own life as a business. Learn how to manage yourself. - CEO and CO-Founder Christian Eyde Moeller

For students that are still figuring things out, this was a new way to see their journey. They may not have business plans yet, but they already have something important: to lead their own lives.

Business That Begins with People

After talking about mindset, Mr. Moeller moved the topic to the heart of Lionheart Farms—its people. He shared how the company grew from a small vision to a business that now provides over 2,000 jobs in Palawan.

But it wasn’t the size that mattered most. It was the impact.

He spoke about hiring people who had never had a job before, who now contribute to every part of the farm—from tapping to processing to packing products. The farm gives them a reason to stay in their hometown, earn income, and grow with pride.

We want to create the best place for people from Palawan to be able to work in Palawan.

Here, business becomes more than just a profit. It becomes a way to keep families together, strengthen communities, and create opportunity where it’s needed most.

Questions that Sparked Real Answers

The SHS students came prepared. They asked questions about starting a business, building confidence, and whether agribusiness has a future.

In return, the CEO offered honesty. He didn’t promise easy wins, but instead, he encouraged them to build skills, take jobs that challenge them, and keep moving forward step by step.

Maybe some of you will have the courage to go immediately and start your own business. There's no one way to do this.

That message gave the students something real. There’s no perfect plan. What matters is the courage to begin, and the discipline to keep going—even when the way isn’t clear.

Lead Your Life First

As the session came to a close, one lesson stood out: you do not need permission to lead. You are already running your most important business — your own life.

Every choice shapes it. Every habit builds momentum. Whether you start a company or not, you can choose to live with intention, take action, and keep moving forward.

You can be an entrepreneur in your own life.

This mindset does not require a title or money. It begins with how you manage yourself, your time, your energy, and your decisions. Lead with clarity. Grow through effort. Begin now, right where you are.