Janine Gutierrez is now an entrepreneur.
On October 18, the Kapuso actress launched I Do Nails, a nail spa franchise located on the 3rd floor of the Ayala Malls The 30th along Meralco Avenue, Pasig City.
Talking to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), she beams, “Well, kasi mahilig talaga akong magpa-manicure, magpa-spa.
“Nung college, tinuruan ako ng best friend ko, kasi nung bata ako hindi naman ako masyadong kikay.”
Janine says even her mom, the actress Lotlot de Leon, isn't that kikay or fussy about her looks.
She continues, “So nung college, yung best friend ko pag medyo sad siya, nagpapa-manicure siya para maging happy. Sabi ko, ‘Totoo ba?’
“Hanggang sa naintindihan ko, 'tapos naging regular na rin ako nagpapa-nails.
"'Tapos, more so nung nag-artista ako, kasi every time may shoot, minsan magre-request pa sila [GMA management] na, ‘Can you do your nails like this? Ganito yung peg, ganyan.'
“So it’s become a part of my lifestyle, kaya I really wanted to choose a business na interesado talaga ako at ginagamit ko talaga.”
FINDING PARTNERS
On her decision to invest in a business, Janine says, “Happy si Mama! Ako din happy."
Her mom is Lotlot de Leon.
She continues, "Kasi matagal ko na rin po talagang gustong magka-business kaya lang, hindi naman ako marunong mag-start."
On why she chose to be a franchisee, the Kapuso actress explains, "Wala din akong oras na iyon talaga yun pag pagtutuunan ko, pero luckily since it’s a franchise 'tapos yung owner has been my friend since grade school pa,
“Actually, ine-endorse ko itong nail salon ever since she opened her first branch, so naisip ko, lalayo pa ba ako?"
Janine's business partners, Patricia de Leon and Cristina Santiago, have also been her good friends since their high school days.
The actress relates, “E, lahat kami very busy. Yung isang friend ko nagwu-work sa Globe, yung isa sa Nestle, 'tapos ako GMA.
"So naisip namin na kung tatlo kami, mas madi-divide namin, mas madali since we have super-full days din.”
But then, It's been said that doing business with friends is not a good idea, but the Kapuso star doesn't believe in that.
Janine jokes, “Gusto nga naming gumawa ng kontrata na bawal mag-away.
“Pero, hopefully, maging maayos ang partnership namin.”
Janine admits that they haven't really ironed out all the details related to their business such as their division of labor.
But the good thing, she says, “Suwerte na lang na friends kami so ang dali na lang mag-usap, madali na lang magtawagan.”
FINDING THE RIGHT LOCATION
Another thing she and her partners feel lucky about is finding the right location.
Janine says, “Itong mall kasi na ’to, pinupuntahan ko talaga ‘to, so masuwerte din for me na nakahanap kami ng puwesto.
"Kasi actually, ang tagal ko nang naghahanap ng puwesto, and iyon pala yung mahirap—yung makahanap ka ng tamang location, ganyan.
“So nung sinabi na meron dito, parang after a few weeks, parang, sige game na!”
She's a hands-on owner in all aspects of their business, including the interior decor and their choice of art works prominently displayed in the spa.
What services do they offer?
“Lahat—manicure, pedicure... Meron din kaming lashes [service], nail art, gel nail extensions, foot spa, massage, waxing, paraffin.”
It's too early to start counting their ROI (return of investment) but Janine hopes for a recoup in a year's time, “Or a year and a half? Sana.”
Aside from her newly opened business, Janine continues to reap her blessings. She has just won the Best Actress award from the QCinema International Film Festival.
Her movie, Babae at Baril, which competed in the Asian Next Wave Competition, also won the Best Director award (for director Rae Red), as well as the Gender Sensitivity Award.