A COMPETENT chess athlete, a stellar guitarist and a kind-hearted friend, that is Jimzon Trangia, a wimpy-looking kid then who now owns a self-named product -- Jimzon Pomade, a pomade made of natural and organic ingredients to add up to everyone's hairstyle.
"Life can be phenomenal but we have to make it that way. It's not gonna happen by accident because God gave us the volition to choose and our present choices determine the future outcome," the young Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jimzon Pomade said.
He was born and raised in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley where he dedicated his elementary and high school years.
Jimzon then transferred to Davao City and studied at Holy Cross of Davao College taking up AB Economics as a full varsity scholar.
"Chess truly paved the way to where I am today," he said.
Jimzon was and still considered to be one of Davao City's chess wizzard and won many championships in different level of competition during his era.
"I won several championship titles in Davao City and in different places of the Philippines. I also played in the prestigious Philippine National Games to which one of my best feats was when I play in Pangasinan where I faced the legendary Grand Master (GM) Eugene Torre and eked a draw. Few months after he went to Davao City for his simultaneous exhibition campaign and I had a chance beat him," Jimzon said.
After finishing a degree in HCDC, Jimzon went to Ateneo de Davao University to take up another course.
But it wasn't his calling.
"I stopped and sought for my true purpose to which I found in entrepreneurship."
He was struck with unfortunate events in his attempts to build a business.
"2017 was the most difficult year of my life. I was so depressed. My girlfriend broke up with me. My kuya went to mental hospital and I was financially broke," he said." Because of that I had to pawn and sell my stuff."
"Even though I had no money I never applied for a job that I'm not passionate with because part of me was so ambitious, only with entrepreneurship can I achieve my dreams," he added.
So he went to different entrepreneurship and leadership seminars where he finally met a mentor who helped him change his life entirely, his life coach Nhor Yhacky Lalong, founder of Kaliyah Beauty Solutions.
"Amidst those broken roads, God was still good to me for allowing me to meet coach Yhacky last July 2017."
Yhacky taught him about sales.
"I started to sell Rub and Oil and got rejected many times but I still continued. I remember having only 12 pesos in my pocket while looking for clients in Gaisano Mall of Davao. I was so hungry and I have to walk my way home. I was crying."
But Jimzon believed that all his hard work, perseverance, dedication and sacrifices will soon reap a fruitful future.
"Within few months of walking home on empty stomach, I was able to launch my own product."
In just three months from the market release of the product, there were more than two thousand users of Jimzon Pomade.
"Our company, so far, reached overseas. Our plans are to make the company worth a billion. Aside from Rub and Oil and Jimzon Pomade we have also have great products like lotion, soap and perfumes."
From his humble beginnings to being established, Jimzon still hopes for more investment in the mere future and help aspiring entrepreneurs like him to prosper.
"I truly believe if a man truly pursues the desires of his heart and set his mind to pursue those desires, he will become successful with the help of God."
He continued saying: "I'm still young and I still have many dreams to pursue and ideas wanted to materialize. If somewhere along my journey I fail, then with all humility I will reset the pieces and play again!"
Jimzon will be one of the best chessers from Davao City who will banner the Dabawenyo flag this upcoming Philippine National Games 2018 in Cebu on May 19.