JULIET CHEN President SERENITEA

2018, except to say that it was seven digits and according to the shelter owner it would last them for more than a year.

The amount is being used for the kids’ chemotherapy sessions and laboratories also.

Jen noted that while the Bahay Aruga was just originally a shelter for the kids from the provinces suffering from cancer, the help has been extended to their medical needs and food.

Bahay Aruga also needs to fund its basic utilities like electricity and water. The parents’ kids would rather use their money for medicines and when they run out of money, they would go to the Bahay Aruga owners for assistance.

“So, we gave Bahay Aruga the allowance and with that we improve the capacity of the center to provide for the sick children, who come and go,” says Juliet.

In addition, Serenitea came up with hashtag “Moments” such as #momentsofgratitude for Mother’s Day and #momentsoflove or Valentine’s Day.

For this effort, they involved their staff and customers as well. “We encourage them to buy the Brown Sugar drink series because 15 percent of the sales will go to Bahay Aruga as our way of giving back,” says Jen.

MANAGEMENT STYLE

As a leader, Juliet is not the strict type but she makes sure that when she is out the staff will continue to do their job properly and if she asks for results, they can produce it.

She looks up to two successful business leaders. Foremost, she looks up to Hapee toothpaste founder Cecilio Pedro for his programs to help the deaf and mute by employing them at his factory.

“Mr. Pedro is a very God-fearing man. I heard him speak and he always praises God and he inspires a lot of people,” says Juliet, who was all the more inspired to give back.

She also admires businessman John Gokongwei for being family man, who sees to it that he goes home to have dinner with family.

“Based on the article that I’ve read, Gokongwei does not give expensive gifts to his kids, but he spends quality time, travel and the best education. I admire him for that,” says Juliet.

According to Juliet, the Gokongwei patriarch also put emphasis on choosing the right life partner because a spouse is someone who should help the partner succeed.

“That is why I can say that my husband was right in choosing me as his partner,” Juliet says as a joke, but said that Gokongwei’s wisdom is indeed true.

For Jen, she admires Dr. Aivee Aguilar Teo for his dedication for both her profession and as a mother. To be able to be with her kids, Dr. Aivee tags along her kids to the clinic. She is also running a successful business.

LESSONS

The business has taught them valuable lessons.

“Foremost, you cannot give up easily. The hardships and challenges are part of the business. It builds character. And that’s what I tell our team always,” says Jen stressing that “hardships make us creative in handling a situation.”

Juliet, who finished business administration at the College of St. Benilde and a Master in Entrepreneurship at the Ateneo Graduate School, may not be aware of this but when she is angry at her staff, she makes it a point to focus on the positive side.

For Jen, she does it through humor. These traits can only be possible for women because they lead with their hearts and they know how to care better than men.

In coming up with decisions, the sisters would always consider how would this affect their people, customers, and operations. They also send their R & D team frequently to Taiwan to watch out for trends.

It is not that since Jen is older, she will always be followed. There is no younger or older between the two. Other than being blood relatives, Jen and Juliet are just like the best of friends, who always compliment each other genuinely.

“Sisters in business must know how to separate the personal stuff,” says Jen adding “it is not also good to be so sensitive.”

The sisters travel with their families together. When outside of the country, they make sure to try milk tea drinks to learn and compare.

For sisters wanting to go into business, Jen has this advice: “Always support each other. As much as possible, do not envy. Always be fair because at the end of the day you will benefit if you lift each other up.”

Juliet for her part has emphasized: “Maintain an open communication because good ideas can easily be collaborated when shared. Two heads are better than one.”

Most of all, Jen said, “Respect each other’s ideas.”