For most of us, hard work is the key to success. But for some who are fortunate enough to be doing what they love, success may come with seemingly no work at all. One of these blessed individuals is Rommel Juan, owner of the fast food chain Binalot.

Nephew of Figaro Coffee founder Pacita Juan, he grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and spent most of his childhood summers in his father's office, where he learned the value of hard work, as well as the importance of listening to what the customers have to say. From an early age, Juan was interested in peddling things. In the fourth grade, Juan sold stickers to his schoolmates. However, it was not money that he was interested in, but interacting with others. He only did the selling for his brothers, who financed the sticker business. Even in college, he was able to make money from his ideas.

He later went on to handle sales and marketing in his family's automotive business. He also translated his interest in cartoons and comic books into making the fliers and ads of the business. When he was 24, he decided to spend the extra time he had starting a food delivery service. Binalot opened in 1996 with operations based in his pad. This became his creative outlet, making it an extension of himself.

Juan put in a lot of effort into Binalot. Because he didn't really know much about the food business, he solicited help from a family friend when it came to creating the dishes. He also sold the food to offices himself. However, he lost a lot of customers during the Asian crisis, which led him to contemplate closing the business. But fortune struck when Shangri-La Mall offered him space in its food court. He jumped at the proposal, but was nevertheless prepared in case it still didn't work out. Luck was on his side this time, and Binalot's first day saw a very long line, with offerings of rice topped with Filipino favorites and wrapped in banana leaves.

Binalot's initial success encouraged Juan to open more food court outlets in malls. He explored new possibilities as the business grew, and went on to get a Master's Degree in Entrepreneurship from the Asian Institute of Management. He then ventured into franchising and the first franchise outlet was opened in Intramuros in 2003. This has since grown to over 30 outlets that exist today and continues to evolve.

Juan believes that much of the success of Binalot lies in the efforts of its people. He makes sure they are empowered by their jobs and tries to keep it enjoyable for everyone, taking care to listen to their thoughts and needs. Binalot also has its own corporate social responsibility program called “DAHON” or “Dangal at Hanapbuhay para sa Nayon.”

And of course, the key to it all is his love for what he does. With such a passion, his business doesn't feel like work at all.