Meet the Filipino mompreneurs who achieved success by empowering mothers

Inspiring Filipino Mompreneurs

Single mom, mom of twins, mom with a special-needs child, moms of only-children, moms of boys, moms with a teen… they are moms in all forms and sizes, but what do these hardworking mompreneurs all have in common? An earnest belief in the value of the products and services that they offer to parents just like them.

Our 2015 yearend salute pays tribute to these moms whom we admire for their ability to align their life, work and advocacy.

Start Gallery to meet who these inspiring mothers are as they impart how being mompreneurs has enriched their lives and others.

Maricel Cua and Beng Feliciano of The Parenting Emporium

What started as Medela House, the exclusive distributor of Medela products in the Philippines, has re-launched as The Parenting Emporium. Through their social enterprise, co-founders Maricel and Beng envision a community of parents helping each other navigate through the challenges of pregnancy and raising children.

They still offer trusted brands as well as their own line of products, but now they also provide workshops and recollections for parents and even yayas. As a social enterprise, they support rural communities and promote items made using indigenous materials.

Maricel has a 10-year-old daughter, while Beng has an 8-year-old son and twin 5-year-old daughters.

Lessons they learned as mompreneurs:
We learned to always include giving back to the community - our sights should be set on spiritual treasures aside from earthly ones. Parenting is truly a legacy – incorporating our advocacies in our businesses teaches our children to give back sustainably and models how to love God through loving others!

How being mompreneurs enriches them:
The Parenting Emporium has given us a platform to help on a larger scale than if we were just private individuals. Also, because we are exposed to all sorts of experiences, circumstances and lifestyles, we have become more compassionate. As women, we have learned to be supportive and understanding - to suspend judgment and listen with our minds and hearts. As mothers, we continue to grow and learn from others in our endless pursuit to parent in the best way suited to our children. We have also become part of a greater "village" that shares parenthood and this great love for the generations to come!

Advice to aspiring mompreneurs:
Choose a business that is fuelled by your passion because when the going gets tough and issues arise, it is your sheer determination and willpower that will keep you going.

Mi'ann Oblea of Babymama

Through Babymama, a store that offers "breastfeeding products that work as hard as you do,” Mi’Ann strives to help fellow moms experience a fulfilling breastfeeding journey. Aside from her online store and a brick-and-mortar one in Ortigas, she also has authorized resellers in Manila, Cebu and Davao. Babymama is also the exclusive distributor of Spectra and Ameda breast pumps in the Philippines.

She has a 7-year-old daughter and two sons, aged 5 and 2.

Lessons she learned as a mompreneur:
It's only a priority when you make it a priority. It becomes simpler when I don't have to choose all the time. For example, my kid's studies are my priority; so, whenever a school-related matter comes up, I study with them then adjust my work around it. I have accepted that there's not enough time to be perfect in all four aspects (self-development, being a wife, mom and business owner) everyday.

How being a mompreneur enriches her:
I apply the skills and passion I put into my business to child rearing and vice versa. Also, it's very fulfilling to be financially independent and to know that I can support my family in case the need arises.

Advice to aspiring mompreneurs:
Have a business that you are passionate about and really love, not just to make money. Have enough cash flow to last a year. Make sure you have enough for inventory and materials. Be conservative, especially during the first several years; do not over-purchase or over-expand. Don’t forget to pay yourself. Respect and love your clients. If you are not sincere, you will not treat them the way they deserve to be treated.

Paola Loot-Bronfman of Mommy Treats

Paola is the mom of two girls, aged 5 years and 10 months old. Her other baby is Mommy Treats, which offers yummy pastries using ingredients known to increase breast milk production. On her website, Paola shares, "(It) came about when I was in dire need of increasing my milk supply." Mommy Treats is now helping other moms in the same situation.

Lessons she learned as a mompreneur:
Always be kind. When I started being kinder (to others and myself), the world became kinder to me too.

How being a mompreneur enriches her:
I've become more empathic and other-centered. When there is a problem like a tantrum or breastfeeding difficulty, I no longer dismiss the situation as simple or irrational. I am more in touch with myself, my children and my customers. I am more discerning, patient, wise, compassionate and balanced.

Advice to aspiring mompreneurs:
"A happy mom makes happy children." Never feel guilty for prioritizing your well-being. We moms tend to forget to pay attention to our needs. So, make time to do something just for yourself. You'll be surprised how a short amount of me-time can be so rewarding to your soul.

Ives Lim-Esteban of HALO SleepSack

One feels nothing but pride when championing a brand that carries with it an important advocacy - and for Ives, the Philippine distributor of HALO SleepSack, it's promoting safe sleep. The mom of two boys, aged 5 and 3 years, discovered the product when she was still a new mom and, like most new parents, obsessed about finding the best baby products.

Lessons she learned as a mompreneur:
I have learned to trust in God’s abundance. He has blessed me through the people I meet and the windows and doors He has opened for me along the way.

How being a mompreneur enriches her:
It is both a business and a personal advocacy for me to educate Filipino parents about safe sleep. As a mom, it tugs at my heart to hear stories of babies who died or almost died because of SIDS and unsafe sleep environments. It is fulfilling to know that we made a positive difference in a new family, and perhaps even saved a precious little life!

Advice to aspiring mompreneurs:
Start a business with a genuine desire to help others. For example, the HALO SleepSack brand revolves around a heart-felt mission to keep babies safe while they sleep. We believe that our clients deserve only the best and safest products possible so everything is rigorously tested against standards that even exceed US federal regulations. When you do not short-change your clients with mediocre products, word about the product’s value will spread and the numbers will follow.

Denise Christine Gonzales-Bernardo of Indigobaby

Two brilliant boys, Benicio, 8 years old, and Pascal, 2 years old, call Denise mom. Another product of Denise’s brilliance? Indigobaby. The company was founded by Denise and Monica Manzano, karmic sisters since their college days.

The two work-at-home-moms sell products that promote natural parenting and baby wearing: skin care for delicate baby skin, baby carriers, nursing wear and other yummy-mummy-certified items.

Lessons she learned as a mompreneur:
The world can wait - emails can be answered tomorrow, calls can be done another day, but hugs and kisses are precious. Be patient and kind to everyone. They can all teach us lessons. No matter how held-together other moms may look, they are all guessing and learning, just like us... So take it easy on yourself and give yourself a pat on the back because you are actually doing a great job as a yummy mummy! Make time for yourself. If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy! Be forgiving to yourself... Mistakes are our best friends.

How being a mompreneur enriches her:
All these lessons make me a better woman, wife and mom. I am learning to love myself more every day (during good days and not-so-good ones) – and my sweet sons remind me that I am a great yummy mummy when I feel like I am doing a lousy job.

Advice to aspiring mompreneurs:
Find that which makes your heart smile and work to achieve it. It may not be easy, but I’m sure it will be worth it. Take risks and learn to prioritize. Spend lots of time slowing down and listening to your children, because they are our teachers, too. Always share and network.

Meryll Dy of i-Angel and Mother-K

I-Angel and Mother-K are Korean brands carried by Mighty Baby), the company that Meryll founded to share the best baby products she discovered when she became a mom to her now 2-year-old daughter.

I-Angel is a baby carrier that places the baby’s weight on the parent’s hips instead of putting strain on the hips or back, while Mother-K offers organic and eco-friendly baby products.

Lessons she learned as a mompreneur:
Be open-minded and humble in everything you do. Respect and support other mompreneurs because they will be one of the best support systems you'll have! Appreciate your family more and never sacrifice family time. My husband, Carl, is my number one supporter and has been with me all throughout. I sometimes get masungit because of work, but he's always there to remind me that I need to balance work, play and, most importantly, family. Family is the reason why I started the business.

How being a mompreneur enriches her:
This experience has given me more confidence on how to manage my time more efficiently and has taught me to enjoy every moment life has to offer! I've come to appreciate my husband and my family more as they've helped me help other mothers (through the business).

Advice to aspiring mompreneurs:
Find inspiration. Look for products that you really believe in. This way, you will enjoy doing your "business." Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. It will be hard at first because you need to garner the trust of parents and parents-to-be, but it feels rewarding and heartwarming when parents begin to love your brands as much as you do.

Buding Aquino-Dee of SaYa Baby Carrier

SaYa (website) is the "proudly Pinoy baby carrier” created by Buding, who is herself an advocate of baby wearing. She has two boys, aged 16 and 8, and one daughter, aged 6.

Lessons she learned as a mompreneur:
Be yourself. Love who you are and what you stand for. As with baby wearing, it’s all about confidence and conviction. People will resonate with honesty and authenticity. Mompreneurship is hard but also very rewarding. Be generous. Help, connect and relate whenever you can. Never see people as just customers or employees. Focus on the relationship and everything else will flow. Be more process oriented versus results oriented and you will find joy and gratitude in even the littlest things.

How being a mompreneur enriches her:
Mompreneurship brought the right amount of challenges to keep me stretched (and not stressed). Any mompreneur will tell you that through their businesses, they were able to grow, learn and discover skills and talents that they never knew they had! Being able to create and produce and communicate something of value is such a liberating exercise. I think women need to do this often for their sanity’s sake! Mompreneurship helped me know my priorities…that I am a mom first and an entrepreneur second! It is empowering to balance home and work. My business also enriched my role as a mother because my children see me passionate about something other than them. They are able to share the pride and joy I have when something goes well. They also witness my creative process and the way I deal with our staff and it’s important that they see mommy as a leader, team player and worker too.

Advice to aspiring mompreneurs:
Just take the first step! Don’t let fear of the unknown stop you. Seek support, make mistakes, be patient and persevere. If success comes easily, stay humble. If not, remember to do your best and you cannot go wrong. Learn from every experience. Love your own! My foray into the SaYa Baby carrier stems from a deep desire to connect and give back to the local scene. It was important for me to make baby wearing boom in the Philippines. And thankfully, it did!

Tiffany Tuazon of My Baby Dragon

My Baby Dragon caters to parents on-the-go. It is the exclusive distributor of the Baby K’tan carrier, the "ready-to-wear baby wrap,” and offers other "unique and innovative baby-lifestyle products.” It is led by Tiffany, a single mom to a 3-year-old daughter. Her store can be found online or in Pasig City.

Lessons she learned as a mompreneur:
Hard selling doesn't work well with a certain niche. Not knowing is never an excuse not to comply. Do not give your trust to just anybody who is nice.

How being a mompreneur enriche:
The most precious currency is time. Time that you spend at work must always be balanced with time spent with your spouse and children. Spending quality time with my family makes me more productive at work.

Advice to aspiring mompreneurs:
Anybody can venture into and succeed in business. You don't need a certain degree or special family background. You just have to start small and constantly think about how to improve. Do not be afraid to fail. Don't be sloppy. Do not think that you are just starting and you don't need to follow a good working system. The best thing about a start-up business is that you can begin with clear and complete records. Encoding everything and keeping both computerized and manual records is very important. The most important: be honorable, have pride and be ethical. Having clients, partners and even competitors who respect you for your ethics will take you a long way.

Audrey Dimarucot of googoo&gaga

Behind googoo&gaga is husband-and-wife team AJ and Audrey Dimarucot. Audrey brings organized balance to AJ’s artistic creativity. Together they deliver unique and artsy clothes for children all over the world through their online store. They have three children: a 15-year old son and two daughters, aged 5 and 4 years.

Lessons she learned as a mompreneur:
Self-awareness is imperative. Know your core and stick to it, no matter where the business takes you -- ups, downs, in-betweens. Throw the rest that does not fall within your definition of "fulfilled entrepreneur and mother” out the window. Perseverance and persistence. Nobody ever, ever makes it overnight. Some make it with small, incremental steps. Some make it with big leaps. But never overnight. Do not be afraid to be uncomfortable. When you challenge the norm and think audaciously, you find yourself more comfortable and the extraordinary becomes ordinary, and you become a better person living a fuller life.

How being a mompreneur enriches her:
I am now kinder to myself. I used to endeavor to do it all. Now, I know there will be days when I will not be able to tick off all the boxes on my to-do list. On a daily basis, I try to set realistic goals and expectations.

There are hardly days when I am equal parts mom and entrepreneur. I will always be more mom today or more entrepreneur tomorrow. I believe balance is found in remembering what I am first, and realistically expecting I cannot do everything all at once.

Advice to aspiring mompreneurs:
While I suggest the basics like have the necessary organization and management skills or be financially wise, I’d like to pound on the often overlooked need to find what it is that you love or that which inspires you. And inherent as it is for us to create something, we do not have to reinvent the wheel. We only have to be audacious enough to conceive thoughtful and intriguing ideas. Keep at it, love it, and take risks with it.

Jeannie Castillo of Kindermusik Philippines

Kindermusik combines early childhood development and music education to nurture children in all aspects. Teacher Jeannie, as her students and their parents call her, is a licensed Kindermusik educator and is responsible for growing Kindermusik in the Philippines.

She has received recognition for running one of the best Kindermusik programs, outperforming 99% of the programs around the world! She considers her two boys, aged 16 and 7 years old, to be her greatest gifts.

Lessons she learned as a mompreneur:
My life and my world changed completely when my first son was born with Down Syndrome. I am the mother and educator that I am today because of him. He has taught me to celebrate everyday joys, to always see the world with a pure heart, and to believe that everyone learns and becomes their best when they are surrounded with patience, acceptance, and love. Every day, my boys teach me to become a better parent, and inspire me to become a better educator for the parents and children whom I am privileged to teach. I will always be grateful to them for leading me to my truest self, and inspiring me to embrace life with my whole heart.

How being a mompreneur enriches her:
The secret to joy and fulfillment is learning to see the world through the eyes of a child. I am blessed to be surrounded by children everyday. Working with children is the best way to exercise many important traits to becoming a better person: love, patience, empathy, purity, kindness, joyfulness. Working with children also exercises one’s creativity, problem-solving skills, resourcefulness, and fortitude. When little children are relying on you, you learn to never give up, to always push for what is good and right, and to always live in the present. Children are a gift to us, teaching us (as long as we are open) to always strive to be our best, authentic selves.

Advice to aspiring mompreneurs:
Always follow your heart – as moms, one of our greatest gifts is our intuition. Never doubt what your intuition tells you when you listen with purpose and positive intention. Our intuition is one of our greatest superpowers – the key is to learn to listen. And once you find your rhythm in life, dance!

Do you know other inspiring Filipino mompreneurs?

Share your suggestions with us in the Comment box below!

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