Dr. Ed Escalona is a surgeon and a medical professor. He is also a businessman. But before all these, this husband and father of four is first and foremost a Christian businessman, whose primary obsession is to bring God to the marketplace.
It is said that one cannot serve both God and money, but for Doc Ed, as he is fondly called, there is really no conflict as long as one puts God first. He admits, however, that money was the primary reason why he studied medicine. He wanted to be rich. He also wanted to be in control.
Being a doctor and s surgeon - where most often somebody’s life lies in his hands - gave him the false feeling that he is indeed in control. That is until things turned out differently from what he expected or wanted. “It made me realize the limits to my humanity,” he remarked.
With this realization, Doc Ed decided to join the Brotherhood of Christian Businessman and Professionals (BCBP) in 1992 where he learned to ‘turn over the driver seat’ to God. It was also during this time when he acquired a Julie’s Bakeshop franchise. Already a recognized brand then, Julie’s was the favored choice of Doc Ed primarily because of its marketing and advertising advantage. He likewise cited the comprehensive support given by the franchisor in terms of financial, technical, educational, logistic and operations as an added benefit.
This time, however, his consideration was not just money, but also the opportunity to give back to his community.
Since then Doc Ed was able to build an empire of 15 Julie’s Bakeshop outlets spread all over Bohol, his adopted hometown. His outlets have been consistently reaping nominations and awards from the management, as well as recognitions given by various government and private organizations, for exemplary contributions to the community. The pinnacle of these recognitions was being named Franchisee of the Year in Franchise Excellence Awards (FEA) 2008.
Doc Ed has three things to say to prospective franchisees. First, he said that it is important for a franchisee to have his hands busy and his mind focused, as he reminded that a franchisee is a businessman and not an investor. It is essential, he added, that one puts both his heart and mind into the business, not simply be there for financial gain. Lastly, Doc Ed says that a franchisee should accept the fact that he is not in control - that the franchisor is above him and God above the franchisor.
He also has this reminder to all businessmen. “One thing I am sure of is that in the end, during my hour of reckoning, my creator will not ask me how many branches I have opened and operated, or how many thousands of pesos I earned, or how many cars or properties I have acquired in the process. Rather, he will ask me, was I able to love and give hope and made significance in the lives of others? I hope and pray that I can confidently answer Him with a big YES!”
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