OUTSTANDING CATEGORY
Oliver James N. Matias
President
“I was a failure. I was a disappointment to my family when I was still in college.” Those were Engr. Oliver James Matias’ words as he begins to narrate his story. He failed 15 subjects in college and was not able to graduate on time.
He took up BS Civil Engineering in University of Santo Tomas, a five-year course that he finished in six years. When he finally graduated, he immediately took the Civil Engineers Board Exam and fortunately, passed. After becoming a full-fledged engineer, he dreamed of having a job in a prestigious construction company such as DMCI, Ayala, EEI and SMDC. Unfortunately, these companies were very particular at good academic record. So to have an edge in the cutthroat construction industry, he decided to take up another licensure exam from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the Master Plumber Board Exams, in which he also passed. He was able to obtain a job in Moldex Realty Inc. as a design engineer.
His first job gained him the experience of designing plans and actually implementing them. Even though the pay was meager even for basic expenses, he learned a lot -- how to do estimates, how to develop structural, electrical and plumbing designs and value engineering, that served as valuable knowledge later in his career.
While hustling the daily grind of a full-time job, his girlfriend back then, and now his wife, put up a restaurant just a few meters away from his office in Quezon City. He volunteered to supervise and monitor the construction of the restaurant every day after work, such activity led him to be friends with the foreman and construction workers. He eventually learned a lot about the ins and outs of construction. A few months later, Engr. Oliver realized that he was not happy being an employee. Itching to pursue his dream of being a contractor, he resigned from his job in Moldex in time for the construction of the second branch of his girlfriend’s restaurant. That decision paid off, and the project became his first venture as an independent contractor at the age of 23.
His friends and colleagues were impressed with the quality of his restaurant project, and that became the source of project referrals for him, driving him to land at more and bigger projects. From 2011 till to date, he has already finished more than 100 construction projects.
Engr. Oliver’s dream is for his company to become one of the biggest construction companies in the country. His current goal is to build iconic establishments that will withstand time and that will serve as his legacy to his grandchildren. His inspiration comes from his family who gives unwavering support and understanding. This is important as the work of an entrepreneur could be very taxing, especially within the highly competitive construction industry. Without a strong support system, he would have easily cracked under pressure. Engr. Oliver is very grateful for his loved ones and other people who have helped him through his journey as an entrepreneur. He is further inspired with his people who are very driven and motivated to achieve their targets and deadlines. If it were not for them, he would be not be where he is now.
At present, Engr. Oliver is the president of Grundstein Construction and Development Corporation -- a company he founded. His humble beginnings but unshaken attitude led him to four professional licenses: Civil Engineer, Master Plumber, Material Engineer 1 and Real Estate Broker. He is currently finishing his Masters in Entrepreneurship in the Asian Institute of Management.
An Inspirational Entrepreneur
Engr. Oliver is a cheerful and positive thinker. He is not a quitter even in trying times. Learning from his failures made him a calculated risk-taker. He is a source of inspiration, a testament of how early difficulties in life should not hinder one to pursue his true calling. Now, with four professional licenses and as the president of a company, he could contribute more. He defines his best personal success as being able to give back and make up to his father for all the disappointment he has caused his family when he was still young.
“For Engr. Oliver, the most rewarding aspect of being an entrepreneur is to able to steer his ship to whatever direction he aspires. “You are the driver of your own company,” he states. Equally rewarding is when he gives opportunities to people, so that they could also take care of their families’ needs. Entrepreneurship is not just about making money. It is the value that you create to yourself, to your organization and to your clients. Entrepreneurship creates purpose in my life to pursue not just only my dream and also the dream of the people around me, our employees, our clients and our families.”
When asked about his mantra in life, he advised: “Never give up for the hardships shall also pass; just find the right solution to a problem. And more importantly, praying to God gives one enduring strength to face all the problems.”
For Engr. Oliver, the most rewarding aspect of being an entrepreneur is to able to steer his ship to whatever direction he aspires. “You are the driver of your own company,” he states. Equally rewarding is when he gives opportunities to people, so that they could also take care of their families’ needs. Entrepreneurship is not just about making money. It is the value that you create to yourself, to your organization and to your clients. Entrepreneurship creates purpose in my life to pursue not just only my dream and also the dream of the people around me, our employees, our clients and our families.
Facts About Grundstein Construction and Development Corporation
Grundstein Construction and Development Corporation started with only one employee and that was him. Engr. Oliver was the one who managed all the legwork as what most start-up leaders do: from marketing his services, doing the design, estimates, sourcing and procurement of materials, drafting contracts, monitoring of projects, payroll and billing; pure hands-on entrepreneur!
Under Engr. Oliver’s leadership, the Corporation currently has 30 regular employees with a peak of 600 construction workers on site. He considers his sharing of work experience as a hands-on owner/boss as his valuable contribution to his people. He is responsible enough to improve himself by exploring and learning new technologies and methodologies, and share these with his team.
Engr. Oliver’s vision for Grundstein Construction and Development Corporation includes: To become a leader in the construction and development industry in Asia and beyond; to continuously provide solid business foundation to clients, people and stakeholders; to use the resources and skills to transform industry challenges as opportunities for growth; and to have all the benefits of a local business and an international firm – accessibility and support coupled with adherence to international standards and a global reach.
He aims to achieve the Company’s vision by adopting new technologies and methodologies through innovation; achieving industry excellence, and providing world-standard construction services to their clients; remaining dedicated to the company’s core values of integrity, innovation and quality; committing to ethics, transparency and honesty at all times, for all the scope of work; creating a positive working environment for the company’s people and foster healthy relationships with the clients.
Engr. Oliver’s goal is to build public establishments that can be of great use for Filipinos. His goal is to venture in government projects, and be a living proof that not all government contractors are corrupt. He also wants his people to grow as his company grows.
OUTSTANDING CATEGORY
Oliver James N. Matias
President
“I was a failure. I was a disappointment to my family when I was still in college.” Those were Engr. Oliver James Matias’ words as he begins to narrate his story. He failed 15 subjects in college and was not able to graduate on time.
He took up BS Civil Engineering in University of Santo Tomas, a five-year course that he finished in six years. When he finally graduated, he immediately took the Civil Engineers Board Exam and fortunately, passed. After becoming a full-fledged engineer, he dreamed of having a job in a prestigious construction company such as DMCI, Ayala, EEI and SMDC. Unfortunately, these companies were very particular at good academic record. So to have an edge in the cutthroat construction industry, he decided to take up another licensure exam from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the Master Plumber Board Exams, in which he also passed. He was able to obtain a job in Moldex Realty Inc. as a design engineer.
His first job gained him the experience of designing plans and actually implementing them. Even though the pay was meager even for basic expenses, he learned a lot -- how to do estimates, how to develop structural, electrical and plumbing designs and value engineering, that served as valuable knowledge later in his career.
While hustling the daily grind of a full-time job, his girlfriend back then, and now his wife, put up a restaurant just a few meters away from his office in Quezon City. He volunteered to supervise and monitor the construction of the restaurant every day after work, such activity led him to be friends with the foreman and construction workers. He eventually learned a lot about the ins and outs of construction. A few months later, Engr. Oliver realized that he was not happy being an employee. Itching to pursue his dream of being a contractor, he resigned from his job in Moldex in time for the construction of the second branch of his girlfriend’s restaurant. That decision paid off, and the project became his first venture as an independent contractor at the age of 23.
His friends and colleagues were impressed with the quality of his restaurant project, and that became the source of project referrals for him, driving him to land at more and bigger projects. From 2011 till to date, he has already finished more than 100 construction projects.
Engr. Oliver’s dream is for his company to become one of the biggest construction companies in the country. His current goal is to build iconic establishments that will withstand time and that will serve as his legacy to his grandchildren. His inspiration comes from his family who gives unwavering support and understanding. This is important as the work of an entrepreneur could be very taxing, especially within the highly competitive construction industry. Without a strong support system, he would have easily cracked under pressure. Engr. Oliver is very grateful for his loved ones and other people who have helped him through his journey as an entrepreneur. He is further inspired with his people who are very driven and motivated to achieve their targets and deadlines. If it were not for them, he would be not be where he is now.
At present, Engr. Oliver is the president of Grundstein Construction and Development Corporation -- a company he founded. His humble beginnings but unshaken attitude led him to four professional licenses: Civil Engineer, Master Plumber, Material Engineer 1 and Real Estate Broker. He is currently finishing his Masters in Entrepreneurship in the Asian Institute of Management.
An Inspirational Entrepreneur
Engr. Oliver is a cheerful and positive thinker. He is not a quitter even in trying times. Learning from his failures made him a calculated risk-taker. He is a source of inspiration, a testament of how early difficulties in life should not hinder one to pursue his true calling. Now, with four professional licenses and as the president of a company, he could contribute more. He defines his best personal success as being able to give back and make up to his father for all the disappointment he has caused his family when he was still young.
“For Engr. Oliver, the most rewarding aspect of being an entrepreneur is to able to steer his ship to whatever direction he aspires. “You are the driver of your own company,” he states. Equally rewarding is when he gives opportunities to people, so that they could also take care of their families’ needs. Entrepreneurship is not just about making money. It is the value that you create to yourself, to your organization and to your clients. Entrepreneurship creates purpose in my life to pursue not just only my dream and also the dream of the people around me, our employees, our clients and our families.”
When asked about his mantra in life, he advised: “Never give up for the hardships shall also pass; just find the right solution to a problem. And more importantly, praying to God gives one enduring strength to face all the problems.”
For Engr. Oliver, the most rewarding aspect of being an entrepreneur is to able to steer his ship to whatever direction he aspires. “You are the driver of your own company,” he states. Equally rewarding is when he gives opportunities to people, so that they could also take care of their families’ needs. Entrepreneurship is not just about making money. It is the value that you create to yourself, to your organization and to your clients. Entrepreneurship creates purpose in my life to pursue not just only my dream and also the dream of the people around me, our employees, our clients and our families.
Facts About Grundstein Construction and Development Corporation
Grundstein Construction and Development Corporation started with only one employee and that was him. Engr. Oliver was the one who managed all the legwork as what most start-up leaders do: from marketing his services, doing the design, estimates, sourcing and procurement of materials, drafting contracts, monitoring of projects, payroll and billing; pure hands-on entrepreneur!
Under Engr. Oliver’s leadership, the Corporation currently has 30 regular employees with a peak of 600 construction workers on site. He considers his sharing of work experience as a hands-on owner/boss as his valuable contribution to his people. He is responsible enough to improve himself by exploring and learning new technologies and methodologies, and share these with his team.
Engr. Oliver’s vision for Grundstein Construction and Development Corporation includes: To become a leader in the construction and development industry in Asia and beyond; to continuously provide solid business foundation to clients, people and stakeholders; to use the resources and skills to transform industry challenges as opportunities for growth; and to have all the benefits of a local business and an international firm – accessibility and support coupled with adherence to international standards and a global reach.
He aims to achieve the Company’s vision by adopting new technologies and methodologies through innovation; achieving industry excellence, and providing world-standard construction services to their clients; remaining dedicated to the company’s core values of integrity, innovation and quality; committing to ethics, transparency and honesty at all times, for all the scope of work; creating a positive working environment for the company’s people and foster healthy relationships with the clients.
Engr. Oliver’s goal is to build public establishments that can be of great use for Filipinos. His goal is to venture in government projects, and be a living proof that not all government contractors are corrupt. He also wants his people to grow as his company grows.