Chiara Cokieng is a young entrepreneur and copy-writer, in the Philippines who thinks a lot. She told me she wanted to be an entrepreneur many years before she could spell it. She lifted herself up above her environment in two ways – she became a champion free style wrestler, and she began entering math competitions starting locally and then going international. She also wrote at quite a young age, a 100 page sales letter for her first employer, to find out if through a mix of storytelling, empathizing, and reason-why copy-writing, they could double their monthly recurring revenue. They did. I interviewed Chiara because I wanted to understand the thinking of entrepreneurs in emerging markets. She and I are both interested in the intersection of America and Asia startups adapting Silicon Valley principles to local realities. She’s been inspired by immigrant entrepreneurs like Steli Efti, Hiten Shah and Gary Vaynerchuk, and she reflects on the differences between typical business attitudes in America and those in the Philippines. Interesting for any entrepreneur in an emerging market – especially as she’s created opportunities for herself as a country manager for American based companies. Some highlights: How can immigrant entrepreneurs bring their experience/knowledge back to their countries? The moment an immigrant suddenly realizes: “I’m so fucking rich!” Why you can sell iPhones in the Philippines, where 70% of the people make $100 per month. Why it’s easier for your ideas to persuade someone in America than the Philippines What happens when there is less trust of each other, in your culture. What are the obstacles to that occurring in the Philippines? What to do when you realize you have sense of entitlement? Which is a big problem in all cultures What is and how she learned the entrepreneurial mindset? How attending international math competitions made Chiara recognize that you are the average of the five people closest to you. And why that is the best LIFE HACK Why she loves THE IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEUR And most important.  How to really know who your customer is? Chiara’s website:   http://chiaracokieng.com/ One of Chiara’s blogs:  http://chiaracokieng.com/suffering/ The Immigrant Entrepreneur Facebook group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheImmigrantEntrepreneur/