His fascination with city skyscrapers was the force-at-play for Joeben Tai to venture into the country’s real-estate industry dominated by big companies.
Tai, cofounder and president of Grand Taipan Inc., said his interest in real estate became stronger as he mingled on a regular basis with real-estate agents “while observing them in their marketing and promotional routines.”
Armed with a business management degree from the University of Asia and the Pacific, Tai started to carve a career in real estate for himself, starting out as an agent selling high-end condominiums.
Moreover, his friends urged him to join them in taking the examination for real-estate brokers. In a funny twist, he passed the examination while his friends who enticed failed to make the cut.
“[I knew] it was a blessing…for me because I was forced to take real estate seriously,” he recalled.
After developing a strong niche during his two-year stint in the real-estate industry, Tai formed the Grand Taipan, knowing fully well that his background can be an asset in running the company. “It was a good experience because I was able to see the strengths and weaknesses of each company,” he pointed out.
“I am now in a position [and I] can see the perspective both in sales and development. I know the needs of a sales team to be able to make a great pitch and sell a project. It also helps me a lot being a new guy,” Tai said.
Tai also had the opportunity to see the whole picture of the industry, which enabled Grand Taipan to deliver the needs of the market. Moreover, he was able to convince some friends and relatives to invest in Grand Taipan.
Tai believes Grand Taipan’s first project, the Verano Greenhills, a new residential condominium project on Annapolis Street in Greenhills, San Juan, is on the right track.
Tai is happy that the 50-story Verano Greenhills has been cited by 2018 PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards for winning two awards—for both architecture and interior design.
Grand Taipan has left no stone unturned to ensure it will give the buyers their money’s worth. Asya Design, the country’s premier architectural firm, lent its expertise in architecture; while Hirsch Bedner Associates, the world’s leading hospitality design firm, helped the Grand Taipan property in bringing its vision of a modern and sophisticated residential community.
Aside from its elegant, functional designs and amenities, Verano Greenhiils is located strategically at the center of Metro Manila and at the heart of commercial and educational hub Greenhills that makes it an ideal home and excellent investment opportunity.
It also offers accessibility via transport hubs, proximity to shopping centers like Greenhills Shopping Center and Robinsons Galleria; educational institutions like Xavier School, ICA, OB Montessori, Poveda and La Salle Greenhills. Verano Greenhills is also a walking distance to some of Metro Manila’s best restaurants such as Choi’s Garden and Gloria Maris.
Grand Verano has acquired land banks around Metro Manila, ready to launch a minimum of three projects in the next five years. The project will dwell on mixed-use development and concepts that will likewise depend on the market needs.
Aside from being nimble, Grand Taipan has a young work force composed mostly of millennials who have high energy and creativity levels in selling and marketing the project. “Having a young work force has an advantage because it is a seller’s market right now,” Tai said.
“Sometimes, we are able to connect with the buyer because they enjoy dealing with people,” he added.
The average age of the employees in Grand Taipan is 30 years old.
Asked what’s the biggest challenge of an entrepreneur is, he answered: “Taking the responsibility for everyone in the company. At the end of the day, every outcome goes back to me.”
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