Making positive waves
HAVING SPENT her childhood holidays in various local beach destinations, Raissa Gayle Tan grew fond of the marine world. Its charm has thus influenced a lot of what she does today, from her hobbies to her chosen entrepreneurial undertaking up to her personal advocacy.
Ms. Tan, 29, is the proprietor of the online business Wawai’s Organics, whose main thrust is to help protect the ocean through making available green surfing alternatives.
“Growing up, I’ve always loved the beach. My parents took the family on vacations around the beaches in the Philippines since I can remember. Those are really my fondest memories with my family. I guess that’s why I always associated being by the sea with happiness,” she told in an e-mail.
Ms. Tan started surfing during her college days as a Management of Financial Institutions student in the De La Salle University. Even the professional life did not hinder her from pursuing her passion for the sea. Aside from surfing, she took up diving a few years back as well, making her more conscious about how people’s actions impact the health of the ocean.
Realizing the need to do her part in ocean conservation, she decided to take the plunge and come up with Wawai’s Organics’ oceanand reef-friendly products, which at present include organic surf wax and sunscreen. The non-toxic and biodegradable surf wax is made entirely of beeswax and coconut oil.
The sunscreen also uses chemical-free ingredients such as virgin coconut oil, vitamin E, beeswax, shea butter, and zinc oxide, a natural mineral that Ms. Tan said provides the safest and most effective protection against the harsh effects of ultraviolet rays.
“I started this brand in hopes of reducing our carbon footprint and to help save our seas. Educating people to protect our ocean through our products has been our main advocacy. Mostly, we are encouraging consumers to know what goes in the products they use every day,” said Ms. Tan. “However small it may seem, there are lots of ways to help save and protect our seas.”
Ms. Tan said that it is a fulfillment to see that a considerable number of her friends have begun taking the same initiative, and that it inspires her to carry on the business.
She admits that keeping it above water is definitely a hard task, as she also has a fulltime job as a money market broker that she needs to attend to.
“It has been challenging at times making all the products by hand. I have a 9-to-5 job so I can only find time after work or on weekends, if I’m not on the beach. I’m lucky to be surrounded with friends and family who support me and help out when they can,” she said.
Thus, Ms. Tan is determined to continue what she started. She said that more will be added to Wawai’s Organics’ product portfolio. Its clients will soon be offered with all-healing salve, toiletry kits, and soy candles, which will still be made of ecofriendly materials.
As her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, she emphasized the importance of loving what you do. “It’s such a cliché but it’s true. Do whatever interests you and believe in your cause. There will always be a lot of hesitations and doubts but just ignore them and do it,” she said, adding that having a good support system is likewise necessary.