A Meeting With Marlon Antonio, President and C.E.O. of Greatway Financial Inc

By Abel Pagaling

I’m a student of success. I seek it, learn it, in hope to one day live it. It is a life-long quest for me so I can fulfill my mission in life as a mentor and coach – to see people live their potential and reach their goals.

Successful people come from all walks of life. Some come from well-off families, gaining an advantage at the start. Others are well educated and climbed the corporate ladder. But is it those who built their success on sheer will and determination who inspires me. One of them is Marlon Antonio – President and CEO of Greatway Financial Inc., an organization that has over one thousand strong financial advisors and continues to expand. Impressive right? Read on.

Marlon is from the Philippines. He came to Canada after completing his high-school diploma. He was ready to attend a Canadian college, but it would not happen for him. “I was proud to have finished high-school in the Philippines,” said Marlon, “Only to find out it is equivalent to grade 11 in Canada and my English was only at a grade 7 level.”

Marlon was advised to study and finish his Canadian high-school diploma. He chose not to. “I was a young man already,” he said. “It would take time to finish high-school.” He decided to work instead. He worked as a dishwasher by night and as a caregiver by day looking after a disabled person.

Then a defining moment. Call it the motivation or the starting point of his journey to success. But his motivation was not to gain wealth for the sake of gaining or merely becoming wealthy to fill a selfish desire or impress others. Marlon had a more noble reason – his wife. “I got married, and

I was scared,” said Marlon. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to provide for my family and what kind of future I could give them.”

As I listened to him talk about his wife and his early struggles, I sensed Marlon reliving the moment when he was afraid for his family. His head lowered and his eyes are looking at the floor as he shared the personal struggles he encountered but ultimately overcame. He didn’t have to describe what he was feeling, but I’ve seen it with many successful individuals who came from humble beginnings. Their reason for success is to see those they love have only the best in life.

“I decided to go to SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology),” said Marlon. “I studied meat-cutting for three months. Then I got a job as a meat-cutter.” Marlon didn’t waste any time. He worked two full-time jobs as a meat cutter, one for a supermarket, and one at a meat-processing plant. But this was temporary.

It was around 1996 when Marlon began to question his situation. “Is this what the rest of his life would be like – working two or three jobs to earn just enough to provide for his family?” asked Marlon. He knew had to do more. And Marlon had big reasons for it. “Every time my wife got pregnant, I thought of ways to better provide for my family,” said Marlon. This led him to the real-estate industry and investing.
One thing worth mentioning that I’ve heard so many times about Marlon is his belief in sharing his knowledge. This practice started at a young age. “I believed in sharing my knowledge to others,” said Marlon. “At my meat-cutting work, I shared my knowledge of real-estate. But because I was the youngest worker, no one paid attention. But I kept sharing.”

In 2000, Marlon left his meat-cutting work and went into the cleaning business. “It was a cleaning franchise business,” said Marlon, smiling as he talks proudly about his first business venture. After a year, Marlon owned and operated his own garbage hauling business. “I went to houses and picked up their trash and hauled it away,” said Marlon. He then described enthusiastically the particulars of the hauling business. One thing seems particularly evident about Marlon – he puts his full effort in whatever he puts his mind into, even if it’s hauling other people’s trash.

Although business was doing well, Marlon continued to search for a better opportunity for himself and his family. “Financially, it (business) was up and down,” said Marlon. Then his third child was born. Another defining moment. “I continued to think about what I can give to my wife and children,” said Marlon. “There has to be something better for my family.” It was at this time that Marlon acquired rental properties and stocks. Then like all successful people who take risks and would be tested by extreme pressure as part of the refining process towards success, Marlon lost his business, stocks, and properties. “We almost went bankrupt,” said Marlon. “Fortunately, my stepdad helped me to get a truck. I went back to hauling garbage.”

Financial distress did not stop Marlon from sharing his real-estate knowledge to family and friends. “I shared with people how to acquire properties with zero down,” said Marlon, “Until people I talked to about real-estate said I should become a realtor.” Marlon did become a realtor and had some success in the industry, but this would not be his final stop. A bigger opportunity was waiting for him.

In December 2003, Marlon was introduced to WFG – World Financial Group. This was “the” defining moment that would start his success in the financial industry.

“I joined WFG (World Financial Group) in January 2004,” said Marlon. And from there, he talked about his journey, challenges, personal growth, his failures, and his successes up to where he is now with his own very successful company – Greatway Financial Inc.

Marlon credits his success to his discipline in personal development. “I’m very fortunate actually,” said Marlon. “I started listening to Tony Robbins in my twenties.” But the real driving force behind his success is to provide for his family and see other people become successful. “Your success is not only meant for you,” said Marlon. “It’s meant to be shared.”

As I talked to Marlon whom I call “Kuya” (big brother), I can’t help but notice a deep warmth about him, particularly when he talks about his wife and children It is the same warmth I sensed when he talks about the people in his organization.

“Think good, do good, and say good. And put God first,” said Kuya Marlon to me as we end our interview. With that, I am blessed to have connected and learned from an amazing individual – Marlon Antonio.