From Manila with Love Blog: entrepreneurship

There's not a lot of women's support groups regarding business and entrepreneurship. Or at least they're not as visible. Yes there are ones that are modeled for the general public but they don't "get" the nuances of being a woman and subsequently a woman entrepreneur and may lack the appropriate mentorship, nudge and training some women need.

That's the number one goal of WINGS — to meet like-minded women entrepreneurs and create a positive dynamic team within a nurturing group of professionals for personal growth, business benefits ...and more.

Ava De Guzman - Founder and Director of Bridge of Hope and Wings. Based in California.

WINGS (Women's International Network Giving Support) is an organization of empowered women entrepreneurs and professionals locally and abroad that understand the values of collaboration for enhancing business acumen for financial prosperity and personal fulfillment.

WINGS organization as a whole aims to provide foundational and authentic support to all members including five important resources: Community, Recommendations, Mentorship, Team Support, and Power Partners. As a program of Bridge of Hope - World, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization helping single mothers, abused women, and orphans in the poorest communities worldwide, WINGS will impart and teach the values of philanthropy or charitable giving for common good-will as well as the business credibility edge it brings.

The lovely Ella (who painstakingly made the event run smoothly) kindly invited me to their official launch in the Philippines at Chardonnay by Astoria.

Raw and organic food. Organic body care and handcrafted accessories were available for the attendees.

Everyone was treated to great awe-inducing, heroic, touching and very personal stories of how the speakers' do what they do and what they went through to get where they are now. Believe me their stories were staggeringly incredible to say the least especially Dr. Michiyo Ambrosius's (went to the US from Japan by herself at 20 with a few dollars in her pocket and not a lick of English) and Janet Belarmino's (went through very rigorous training to climb Mount Everest 3 MONTHS after giving birth).

Dr. Michiyo Ambrosius renowned and seasoned Psychologist, Author and Personal Coach based in California.

From left : Janet Belarmino (Most sought after inspirational speaker in Asia and one of the first women in the world to reach the top of Mt. Everest. Based in the Philippines.) and Elaine Leung (Served as the VP of Marketing and Business Development of a successful global IT Consulting firm where she increased revenue from $12 million to $25 million in one year in key growth markets such as healthcare and biotech. Based in California)

Here are some helpful links :

To see if you have a Wings Chapter in your area or if you yourself want to apply as an ambassador click (here) and to become a member click (here).
If you just want to observe first there's an upcoming event in Quezon City via this Facebook group (here) Psst...Mention this blog so they know where you got the info ;)

"Commemorative Photo!"

xx,

PS. She climbed a snowy mountain complete with snow storms 3 MONTHS after giving birth. MIC DROP. And Dr. Michiyo got on a boat (from Japan) with change as travel money and whatever she could carry on her back to make a life in the US while barely speaking English. Did I tell you she studied by translating every single English word in her books and classmate's notes to Japanese using a dictionary just so she could understand the day's lesson? MIC STAND DROP.

http://www.wingsupport.org/
https://www.facebook.com/WINGS4Philippines

Most people probably don't know about C&C Salon. This secluded and somewhat hush-hush nail haven might be a challenge to some who don't have a keen eye and/or are not familiar with the BGC area.

Don't fret because I was invited by Cookie last October 7th to experience C&C Salon first hand, to give you guys the low-down.

I came in about an hour after the supposed meeting time [got lost] and chanced upon one of the managers — Cookie while I was taking pictures of the entrance.

We proceeded inside after a little chat with this timid cutie where I learned that not only were the managers young, they were still in school. High school and College to be more specific.

The salon was put up by their mother and she manages it along with her two daughters — Cheenee and Cookie [C&C]. Situated in BGC and in a fairly nondescript hotel I asked, why here?

"It's near our home and the rent is reasonable." Cookie stated.

Apart from that, being dab smack in the heart of the business district I could agree it was a smart choice. Their guests are mainly working people taking some me-time after a hard day at work as well as locals in the area.

Going in I was greeted with pale gray, white and purple shades and contemporary interiors with a comfortable and relaxing "homey" vibe. Kind of like your Aunt's shabby-chic-rustic-modern-contemporary home that you can relax in but you better not get dirt on her white suede armchair.

The concept I gathered, was to not be ostentatiously royal and not be ostentatiously glittery so the men won't be scared and actually encourage them to get something done themselves.

The space was tiny but cozy and fully air-conditioned [a must in this part of the world]. There were four chairs on the lower ground and upstairs were a sofa, a love seat and a massage bed. Perfect for spa dates with the beau or the squad.

I got the Classic Curtsy which includes this amazing foot reflex massage. I don't know if my feet were just especially tired but that massage was everything. The whole treatment was fairly standard for a nail salon I would say. The prices are appropriate especially for the ambiance and the great service I got from Cookie.

What was made evident to me though was that the tools to be used on every person was sanitized, sterilized and individually wrapped to ensure the guest's safety. That gets a two thumbs up for me because people don't know how easy it is to get infections from communal nail clippers and files. *cringe*

If you're wondering about the polish selection, they don't have a massive array of colors but the basics are there. The brands they carry are Orly, Morgan Taylor [vegan], Sally Hansen, Revlon, Cutex and Maybelline. They also offer gels — Gellish [vegan] and True Gel.

All-in-all a quaint little secret spot to treat your self. As C&C puts it, if you don't treat yourself, you cheat yourself!

Thanks for inviting me Cookie!

xx,
CJ

PS. Have you tried this place before? Or any place you'd like to recommend for nails?
PPS. They're working on the wi-fi for people eager to update their social media to instagram their new nail colour or catch up on some work. :)
PPPS. Say hi to the managers for me if you do drop by!

C & C Salon
Address : UGF, F1 Hotel Manila, 32nd St. Bonifacio Global City,
Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone : (02) 257-4280 (0927) 972-6143
Facebook : https://facebook.com/CheeneeAndCookieSalon

To be honest I have been weaning myself from sugary drinks, but Coca Cola's latest campaign of women entrepreneurship through small to medium businesses like sari-sari stores is hard to ignore. Especially since I like to think of myself as an empowered woman and I sincerely believe that sari-sari stores shouldn't be called as such unless they carry this quintessential beverage that has been around since the first patented engine. (Yes, I did my research)

Now while I do find it a little cheesy, I find the video cute too and it actually isn't far from the truth. I mean, we've seen it before. These stores build a community. And these stores help families and individuals as well, who've been looking to be their own bosses.

I might not want a sari-sari store of my own, but I do respect the fact that these women don't want to work for someone, they want their blood, sweat and tears to be for them, from their hard work. They are entrepreneurs whether they know it or not. Through this Share Sari Saring Happiness campaign, we all know Coca-Cola realized this too - that these small stores and most often than not, women owners are what helps keep Coca- Cola alive and thriving.

Training courses, business advice, financial services are the only starting points they're willing to share so no other obstacles can come in the way of empowering 5 million women by 2020 or 5by20 one of the goals of the Share Sari Saring Happiness.

Christmas is definitely over and done with, but the spirit is very much alive through this gift - it is still technically the Christmas season, and what better gift to receive than the opportunity to better yourself, support you and the people you love and become part of a growing community of women entrepreneurs who know what they want and have the support and whatever they need to achieve it.

What do you think of women entrepreneurs, women bosses or just women being women doing business like every other person out there. There are a lot of prejudices and glass ceilings, inconsistencies and unfair treatment when it comes to women in the workplace. I for one do not stand for gender inequality in this day and age.

Thoughts?

xx,

CJ

Disclaimer : A 7th Champer the PR company who approached me to write about their latest campaign didn't pay me in any way (monetary/xdeal) for this post. I carefully and thoroughly scan companies who approach me whether or not they pay me. I base my judgement on the topic, company and voice of my blog.

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