For Michael Sta. Maria, success didn’t begin with software. It started with sacrifice.
Long before he led a growing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software company serving clients across the country, Sta. Maria was a young professional from Norzagaray, Bulacan who spent many years working away from home, missing important family moments in pursuit of stability.
“I really wanted to give back the investment and time to my family, as well as the time to myself. I never thought it would be possible. Before, I would doubt myself, but eventually, after almost ten years, we now see that, while we struggled in the past, we are now established and can run the business well and continue to grow it,” he shares on the latest episode of ROI’d to Success, the podcast collaboration between PLDT Enterprise and Hustleshare.
That turning point came in 2016, when Sta. Maria decided to take a leap of faith and build something from the ground up. The result was Northeast Business Solutions, Inc. (NBSI), a Bulacan-based software company specializing in timekeeping, human resource management systems (HRMS), and payroll.
What started as a homegrown solution to a common business problem — reliable and affordable payroll software — soon evolved into an enterprise payroll and timekeeping solution catering to small and even very large-sized companies. By 2018, NBSI had successfully launched its product in the Philippine market. But the story behind the code is as powerful as the tech itself.
Building a Business with Heart
For Sta. Maria, NBSI was never just about growth, it was about reclaiming time, not only for himself but for others in his community.
Coming from a humble background, he poured himself into mastering software development. His early career took him far from home, requiring long hours and frequent travel. But with his family’s unwavering support, he eventually found the courage to strike out on his own.
Sta. Maria also believes that no business thrives in isolation, emphasizing that, “It is very important to listen to our team. I’ve learned a lot over the past few years about the business from my people. Our employees are truly our ambassadors. And, of course, how they represent themselves is a direct reflection of our company.”
Today, NBSI serves as a pillar of local employment in Norzagaray, providing opportunities for young professionals to pursue careers in tech.
“My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: If you plan to start your own business, be prepared for challenges—they are part of the process. But you will reap the rewards later. You can do it,” he adds.
Tech, Trust, and a Reliable Connection
NBSI’s growth, however, didn’t happen in isolation. Behind its ability to deliver reliable solutions to clients lies a strong digital backbone provided by PLDT Enterprise’s iGate.
“PLDT Enterprise helped us achieve zero downtime in internet connectivity,” explains Sta. Maria. This dependable connection allowed NBSI to provide seamless service to businesses relying on them for sensitive, time-critical operations.
“Thanks to PLDT Enterprise, our productivity increased by over 15%. Our client base grew, while our total working hours decreased—reflecting improved efficiency,” Sta. Maria shares.
Looking ahead, NBSI plans to expand further with PLDT Enterprise’s broadband upgrades and Smart 5G Postpaid Plans, a move that will better connect its mobile workforce and help support its rapidly growing client base.
A Platform for Progress
For PLDT Enterprise, supporting MSMEs like NBSI means amplifying their own stories.
“Through stories like NBSI’s, we see how meaningful technology adoption drives real, measurable business outcomes,” said Jay Lagdameo, Vice President and Head of Enterprise Revenue Group at PLDT Enterprise. “Through ROI’d to Success, we give entrepreneurs a platform to share their stories, highlighting how they harness digital solutions to overcome challenges, grow their businesses, and inspire others.”
You can listen to the full ROI’d to Success episode featuring Northeast Business Solutions, Inc. now on Hustleshare via Spotify.
3 Comments
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