Heart First, Hustle Always: How Johan Dy Cheng Leads with Heart

If you’ve ever Googled “how to start a business in the Philippines” and stumbled upon EntrepNegosyo.com, you’ve already crossed paths with the work of Johanson “Johan” Dy Cheng—a former banker turned full-time entrepreneur, part-time superhero, and 24/7 humanitarian. His story is anything but ordinary.

Johan’s journey began with an eye for design and a knack for making ideas work. Long before startups were trendy, Johan already had the seeds of entrepreneurship in his system—and it was only a matter of time before they would grow.

He spent years in the corporate world—climbing the ranks, learning the ropes, traveling for business, and sharpening his sales and management skills. Those years weren’t just about hitting targets (though he often did); they were about building resilience and learning what people really need to succeed—something a corporate spreadsheet rarely captures.

In 2005, Johan had an idea. Why not build a digital space where aspiring entrepreneurs in the Philippines could access the latest business news, tips, and tools, all in one place? That’s how EntrepNegosyo.com was born—a platform created by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs. What started as a humble blog turned into a thriving online hub with over 5,000 active members, a lively Facebook group, and a space where local business owners could connect, learn, and level up together. It was never just about content—it was about community.

Not long after, Johan launched Emarket.com.ph in 2010—a one-stop online shop for local sellers. Think Shopee with a soul, or LinkedIn but for your neighborhood sari-sari store. The goal was simple: give entrepreneurs better tools to scale their businesses with heart and hustle.

Through all this, Johan discovered that entrepreneurship wasn’t just about money—it was about meaning. He realized that business, at its best, was a platform to live more intentionally. For him, the keys to success were clear: know yourself, manage your time, stay disciplined, and keep your creativity alive. He’s a big believer in failing forward and using every misstep as fuel for the next breakthrough. As he puts it, “Don’t be afraid to fail. Learn from it. Then build something that helps you and helps others too.”

Johan’s story took another turn when he joined JCI Manila. It gave him the chance to channel his passion for service into real impact. Whether it was during Typhoon Ondoy (2009), Super Typhoon Yolanda (2013), or the Marawi crisis in 2017, Johan was always one of the first on the ground, organizing relief missions and mobilizing resources with the efficiency of a CEO and the heart of a volunteer. He understood that leadership meant showing up—even when no one’s watching.

Among his proudest contributions is not just the projects he led—but the people he brought in. Johan considers his recruits in JCI Manila as his legacy, and he beams with pride as he watches them grow into changemakers in their own right. These include Dir. Sean Si, Former Executive Treasurer and now Senator Michael Ganzo, Past Director Dewey Tan, Kenny Go, Oliver Ong, Kevin Tai, Winston Quesang, Myles Tan, and Kit Faves. For Johan, helping great leaders rise is the true measure of a leader’s worth.

His most memorable project, however, was Pursuit of Happeeness with Golden Heart, founded by his friend Jerrickson Chua, a group he has been part of since 2015 to support children with cerebral palsy. Inspired by the stories of children often left behind, Johan created a program offering therapy sessions, skill training, and a vision to one day build a world-class therapy center in the Philippines. Each year, he calls on his network to come together for therapy drives, outreach programs, and fundraising events that actually change lives. One of the major pillars supporting this dream was none other than Cecilio Pedro, JCI Manila Senate President and owner of Happee Toothpaste, who partnered with Johan to bring greater reach and sustainability to the initiative.

And somehow, despite running two businesses, leading humanitarian missions, and building a foundation, Johan runs on just 3 to 4 hours of sleep a night. No, seriously. He fuels his days with passion and purpose, bringing both practical help and encouragement to families who need it most.

Johan doesn’t just build businesses—he builds communities. He isn’t just driven by profit—he’s powered by purpose. And while he may never brag about the lives he’s touched, anyone who’s worked with him knows: Johan Dy Cheng is in a league of his own.

Because in the end, his story is proof that success isn’t measured by numbers in a bank account—but by the number of lives you’ve lifted on your way up.

Johan isn’t married — unless you count his undying love for helping others. Whether it’s mentoring entrepreneurs, building digital communities, or comforting sick kids in hospitals, he’s all in.

“I’m not Superman,” he often says. “But I serve those who can’t serve themselves.”

And maybe, just maybe, that’s what makes him super after all.