By Manolo Betancur
Speech Entrepreneurs Awards of Ideals 2022.
These words were written a month ago in eastern Antioquia, on January 21, 2022 when we handed out the Entrepreneurs of Ideals awards.
I am not one for refined words, rather I am quite “Lengui heavy”. With great pride I speak as much paisa as possible. I even do it in English or in the language that touches me.
If I am using the word Immeasurable as the central axis of this message, it is because this word unites us all tonight.
Thank you Graciela for showing it to me.
Immeasurable according to the dictionary: it is something that has so much value that it is impossible to measure. Like, for example, God’s love for us.
Other examples are the following:
Meet the winners: #Empi2022 awards
It is impossible to measure the love with which Mauricio, Graciela and Luisa worked for this project. Three new friends, strangers a few months ago, believed in my life mission and managed to help me fulfill my dream.
Sow the seed of the Entrepreneurs of Ideals Award in my land.
Thank you, dear team for making this a reality.
The love I receive from my first family circle is immeasurable. My mom, my wife, my brothers and my children are always supporting me in everything I do in my life.
Without them, without the family, the fight has no meaning. I love them.
Another example is our local saxophonist who in a few years will be global.
It is impossible to measure the love that Adolfo has for music and what he does with it for the good of others. Today we recognize your contribution to the community. Yes, the mere presence of a musician in a community brings joy.
Adolfo, I told you in our call and today I tell you in your presence, you are not invisible, you never have been. Starting today you will eliminate that word from your head. Your humility is greatness, your heart will move the world and your love for your land will always keep you connected to your roots. Thank you for your contribution to the community.
Another of Incommensurable love for what he does is Sergio. Dear friend, the tears that you have shed and that we shed that night in your restaurant cannot be measured.
You are unique in the country, you are fighting in a system that is often cold, inhuman and without collaborative feelings. But your intention will prevail. You don’t cook food, you cook hope. You feed love for your entire team, for all your guests and for all of us who are close to you. You are not alone, and you are not wrong.
Thanks to your business model you are on the right side of history.
Nobody in this universe has the exact measure of the bridges that Janeth Saldarriaga has crossed to continue fighting for the dignity of people with different abilities, of these brave warriors who are not stopped by a disability. She has already completed a decade helping them, every day of her life.
It is not necessary to know you to realize that your flag is tenderness and your symbol is compassion. Thank you for not throwing in the towel, for continuing to educate us and showing us that we are not lost.
You are a fundamental person in any community in the world; without you, we would all continue to believe a lie:
That we live in a world of equal opportunities for all in the work environment.
Before Mauricio and David, the Incommensurables, I take off my hat.
Before you two, my permission, my respect and deep admiration.
The courage of these two gentlemen is infinite, it is impossible to measure the example they give us for getting ahead. And as Mauricio says while walking with his cane and the light of faith along the side of the road to get to work:
“There can be no fear, when there is a desire to get ahead.”
I repeat this phrase so that we do not forget all of us.
“There can be no fear, when there is a desire to get ahead.”
David and Mauricio, with their cotton candy and their mission to employ their friends, remind us that getting ahead is not impossible and that the only people with limitations are those who limit their thinking when faced with opportunities.
Thank you and a thousand thanks for placing the seed and a high bar of blue and pink cotton, as winners of the Defense of Human Ideals Category.
Today we start in Colombia the movement of Entrepreneurs of Ideals. Today our first ambassadors receive recognition for demonstrating that a company can be built without forgetting that human values are above money.
That money is a work tool to build a community focused on equal opportunities.
To each one of you, the people present in this place, I want to thank you for accompanying me in this very special moment for me.
Today I keep my mom and dad the promise I made 22 years ago. Today I return to Colombia successfully.
With what I have learned what true success means: sharing and together with you defending the most humane ideals.
Mom, with honor I have kept the love for Colombia in the United States. I have kept my head high, to know where I come from, but also to see the opportunities of the great country to which I emigrated.
I have also kept the good name of my beloved family at the highest.
I am not returning empty handed, they are full of love to make Colombia a better country. I love you mother.
Once again to each of you, a thousand and a thousand thanks for joining me.
They are loved a lot!
Remember that from today we are all Entrepreneurs of Ideals!
By Manolo Betancur
Leave a Reply