Trio of yuppies venture into biz to secure future

CEBU, Philippines — While it’s a common belief that having a savings account will assure you of a better future ahead, this trio of young professionals who are best of friends are taking it a level higher to secure their future.

Local television host Phoebe Fernandez, blogger and corporate officer Mika Caram, and sales executive Paolo Varquez have decided to pool their money to invest in a business that all three of them have passion for.

The Colors and Peach Studio Salon at the second floor of GPH Central corner F. Cabahug and President Roxas Sts. in Kasambagan, Cebu City recently opened to formally jumpstart the triplets' entrepreneurial stint.

“We used to have businesses of our own while working hard in the corporate (world). I, for one, ventured into online selling among other businesses, but I realized it is a different thing to have a physical business,” said Fernandez who is a professional host, and does a regular local TV show in Cebu.

Caram, a travel blogger who also used to work as sales executive of a branded retail chain, said building a business of "your own" instead of working for somebody else, is not only a liberating move, but it also assures a promising future for themselves and their respective families.

Now in their early 30s, Caram said starting a business is their way of securing their future. The three plans to open more salons and put the brand in franchise platform to accelerate expansion plans.

Polished by their experiences in the corporate world, the buddies are now applying their acquired skills for their own advantage.

Fernandez, who excels in public relations and also cashing in on several endorsements, will leverage her talents to help the business grow.

For them, what makes their business stand out is their personal touch of style coupled with the sole desire to empower women and men from all walks of life.

Going to a salon is no longer a vanity or "waste-of-money" but a wellness ritual that lifts one’s self esteem and positive outlook.

Unlike other beauty salons, Fernandez said they wanted to create a community that draws inspiration from each other.

"When going to a salon, we get to meet a lot of people who can become our future business partner or a new friend. We saw this to be a venue where people can draw inspiration from each other and create a community that brings out the best in each other,” said Fernandez.

We want to help people transform themselves, not just physically,” added Caram.

Caram and Fernandez are in charge of the marketing and operations. Varquez, on the other hand, is taking care of the finance.

Although a salon business is not exactly a passion for Varquez, but his expertise in finance is a vital factor in running the business.

In the future, Varquez said they plan to grow the Colors and Peach brand in Cebu and eventually offer their own Peach hair care brand for retail.

These three yuppies are only a few of the growing number of young breeds whose mindset are not tied up on relying too much on employment or putting all their savings to other people's care (investment channels), instead they are building their financial security while having fun in participating in the entrepreneurship game.

“We want to become a chain someday, but we are taking this one step at a time. For now, we dedicate all our time and ideas to make this business successful,” said Fernandez.

The three advocate that "its [always] never too late for those stuck in the corporate world to start a business."