In the bustling world of entrepreneurship and education, Asmin T. Saidi stands out as a beacon of inspiration and ingenuity. At the age of 31, Asmin has already accomplished what many aspire to achieve in a lifetime. She is not just a public school teacher but also a successful entrepreneur, business coach, and the CEO and founder of AZGO Travel Solutions Corp.
Her life’s mantra, “Think big, build simple, act now!” resonates through her remarkable journey, as she narrates in an exclusive interview with The Global Filipino Magazine.
Asmin’s career began in 2017 as a public school teacher, a role she passionately continues today. However, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish a travel and tours business even before her teaching career took off.
“I love traveling, and it was a natural choice for my business,” Asmin shares.
Her venture quickly grew, allowing her to acquire properties, vehicles, and her first house. By 2018, her business had expanded significantly, with hundreds of resellers booking through her.
Recognizing the potential to help others, especially in her Muslim/Maranao community, Asmin developed a B2B travel booking website. This platform enables aspiring entrepreneurs to start their travel agency business with an investment of just ₱2,500.
“We’re in the 21st century, and businesses are increasingly moving online,” Asmin notes, emphasizing the importance of adapting to modern trends.
Launched on July 30, her website now supports over 300 active sub-agents, many of whom are housewives.
“I believe that being a mother doesn’t limit one’s ability to do business,” Asmin asserts. Her groundbreaking work as the first Muslim/Maranao woman to develop such a business model led to her receiving an award as an Empowered CEO and Inspiring Entrepreneur Coach.
Asmin’s commitment extends beyond her professional endeavors.
She has focused on helping her fellow Marawi residents, many of whom are now successful travel agents under AZGO.
Before becoming a public school teacher, Asmin was a private school teacher. She finds joy in both teaching and entrepreneurship.
“My profession is to teach, but my passion is in business,” she says.
Asmin believes in instilling financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills in her students, challenging the traditional mindset of seeking employment as the sole path to success.
Every day, Asmin balances her roles in government and her business, sometimes facing challenges like booking errors or system problems.
“I set a time management schedule, and thankfully, I manage it properly,” she reveals.
Her resilience was particularly tested during the pandemic when she battled severe anxiety and depression.
“I clung to God/Allah,” Asmin recalls, attributing her recovery and the revival of her business to her faith.
Looking ahead, Asmin plans to build more businesses and support aspiring entrepreneurs, especially the youth.
“I want to help them develop a mindset for financial literacy and entrepreneurship early in their lives,” she explains.
Her ultimate dream is to ensure that her family and community in Marawi City have stable incomes.
To those struggling, Asmin offers advice inspired by author Robert Kiyosaki: “Surround yourself with the right people as a key to financial success.”
She emphasizes the importance of being in the company of those who share positive mindsets and ambitions.