At 22, Kathryn Bernardo is both a star and CEO of her own business.
She opened her own nail salon KathNails by KCMB at SM The Block North EDSA on May 27, 2017.
A year later, it opened another five branches, and, within the year, it will add two more branches.
"Hindi ko na-expect na ganitong karaming branches within one year," Kathryn told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during the first anniversary of her business.
The anniversary coincided with the opening of the fourth branch in Robinsons Place Manila.
"Masaya kami kasi iba't iba pumupunta dito. Hindi lang pumunta kasi fans sila, may mga nag-regular clients na nagustuhan yung service. Yun yung importante, yung na-satisfy sila."
READ: Kathryn Bernardo turns passion into business, opens first nail salon
FAMILY AFFAIR
She said her business is "very close to my heart" and, at the same time, a "gift" to her mom Min.
Being the company's "CEO" is, in essence, a shared title, and the business itself is a family affair.
"Very hands-on sila sa business na ito," Kathryn said, "And masaya kami kasi naggo-grow siya.
"Grabe stress nila, hindi joke.... Kaming lahat ang nagha-handle nito. Lahat!
"As in, ate ko, siya naka-assign sa ganyan. Mom ko, siya naka-assign sa ganyan.
"Lahat may kanya-kanyang assignments, yun yung nag-work.
"Kasi yung buong family talaga yung nagko-control ng business at sa mga tao."
The support of her family, according to Kathryn, gave her the confidence to enter a competitive field.
"Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ito magagawa without my family. Hindi ko feel na mag-isa dito. I have my family...
"Nandiyan silang lahat to guide me in every decision. Sila ang nagtuturo kung anong dapat kong gawin, kasi ang dami-dami ko pa kailangan aralin.
"Si Mama, sinasabi niya dapat mag-Excel, mag-class, ganon, para may background ako..."
GROWING FAMILY
As their nail salon business grows, the Bernardos have come to realize that their staff has become part of their family, too.
Kathryn said, "Yung bawat ginagawa namin, it's like a learning process for everyone.
"Parang wala naman akong regrets kasi natututo naman tayo sa simple decisions that we make.
"And so far at least ngayon, mas natututo na kami ngayon after how many branches..."
At the same time, Kathryn began to appreciate the kind of help her business gives to people.
"[The employees] have to feel at home whenever nandito sila. Kailangan talaga na makisama ka rin sa kanila para mag-stay sila sa iyo.
"More than just workmates, ma-feel nila na family sila dito... Hopefully, magtuluy-tuloy pa.
"Mas marami pa kami matulungan sa mga tao namin. Mas marami pa magustuhan ang tao sa amin."
THINKING AHEAD
Aside from KathNails, does Kathryn have other business ideas in mind?
Kathryn revealed, "Yes, marami actually... Sana maka-start naman ng iba soon.
"Like restaurant or café. Let's see, nag-uusap-usap kami ng nanay ko about it.
"'Anong next naman? Kung stable na itong mga branches, what's next?'"
However, the family is in no rush to expand their enterprise.
"Ito pa lang, hindi na kami nagkikita-kita sa bahay kasi kahit nail salon siya, matrabaho siya.
"Mahirap siya," she added. "Kailangan hindi ka papasok sa isang business na medyo unsure ka pa."