Former OFW now an entrepreneur
Very recently, another beauty prod uct line had a grand launch, which was attended by top makeup artists, beauty queens and other beauty connoisseur.
According to Mr. Ramie Seron, CoFounder of APAT Cosmetics: “It is my utmost dream to put up my own beauty product line.”
Mr. Seron is a former OFW. and would you believe a construction worker and doing odd jobs before he got into the business? While in the Middle East, he later on became a makeup artist who was also responsible for the glam and beauty of some beauty queens and royalt i es.
Ramie became a household name in terms of enhancing beauty is concerned, which to his advantage also made him one of the roster of makeup artists for beauty pageants. With his achievements abroad, Ramie came back to the Philippines and thought of putting up his own line of beauty product. Currently, their primary products are lipsticks and lip tints.
"As a former OFW, I knoew how it is to work abroad. Alam ko kung ano ang tinitiis ng mga kapwa natin OFW workers. Kaya ko naisipang magtayo ng sarili kong negosyo, hindi para lamang sa aking kapakanan. Ang main goal ko ay makatulong sa kapwa ko OFW at sa mga gustong magkaroon ng sariling negosyo. Lalu na ngayong panahon ng pandemya." he stressed.
Soon, APAT Cosmetics will be available on Online Shopping Apps and through authorized dealers nationwide.
Celebrities sporting lush eyelashes have always been in vogue, but now false eyelashes have gone from special-occasion adornment to a must-have, everyday accessor y.
Introducing...Lash Party--the newest brand of premium handcrafted false eyelashes based in the Philippines. It offers a range of collections of eye-candy lashes specially curated to amplify both looks and vibe. At the height of the pandemic, its owner Toni Ann Nebreja, a flight attendant thought of putting up her own business.
“The aviation industry was one of the first major industries that was hit by the global pandemic. I was forced to make the decision to take an indefinite leave and this has honestly put me over the edge a bit. The lockdown, however, gave me the chance to push through with my long overdue passion project: My cosmetic lash line. Like everybody else facing financial uncertainties, I had to come up with a plan since I won’t be flying anytime soon. I made use of my available resources in order to make ends meet and fulfill my plans for Lash Party.”
What were some of the challenges you had to face when you opened your business?
“Logistics and selfdoubt. I thought giving my suppliers the go signal for production prelockdown was enough for everything to run smoothly. Most of them promised that they could deliver by mid-January but COVID-19 started spreading so fast. The couriers stopped shipping goods and delays were experienced at the customs. I was starting to feel discouraged. I didn’t even know where to start with little to zero resources at that time. Part of the constant challenge I had to face while building my business was overcoming my own doubts. I started secondguessing if now is still a good time to sell my products and whether there would even be a market to engage. But I continued to work on my vision. With the help of my family and friends I composed myself and started with baby steps. Little by little I would receive inquiries on Instagram even prior to announcing that I can finally start accepting orders. I could feel the excitement around my brand’s following and got inspired even more to power through.”
What’s your advice for Pinays who want to shift careers or start side hustles and small businesses now?
“Believe in yourself and honor your own pace. The first step to success is to believe in your capabilities. The process is never easy, you will be tested in all ways possible and you will only have yourself most days so believe that you can and you will. There will be days when you feel like you can’t keep up in this fast-changing world and that is okay. Rest when you need to but don’t give up. Honouring your own pace is the greatest form of self-love that would set you up and sustain you for success.”
Incidentally, Shelly Anne Tenorio also a flight attendant models for lash Party. Shelly is newly engaged to Kapampangan R&B singer and currently a Silver medalist in the 2020 WCOPA (World Championships of Performing Arts) Virtual Competition.