Former Viva Hot Babe member Rachel Villanueva is again active, not as an actress or a singer, but as an entrepreneur.
On Sunday, July 3, 2022, the former Viva talent welcomed PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other members of the press at the grand opening of her two new businesses—Autoflare and Estetika Wellness and Beauty Clinic—in Muntinlupa City.
Autoflare is a special store where that sells pre-owned luxury/high-end vehicles.
On the other hand, Estetika Wellness and Beauty Clinic is an aesthetic center offering beauty-related services, such as hair and eyelash extensions and facials.
In an interview during the launch, Rachel revealed she has long been passionate about cars and anything related to beauty salon services, which inspired her to put up her own business.
She said, "For me kasi, for as long as yun yung passion niyo, kahit na mag-start kayo sa maliit, it doesn't matter.
"For me, kapag hindi ko pa inumpisahan itong negosyo na ito, kelan pa, di ba? And, of course, my family, my kids also, sila yung nag-drive sa akin to go for it."
FROM VIVA HOT BABE TO GIRL BOSS
Rachel was 20 years old when she was launched in 2005 as part of the third generation member of Viva Hot Babes along with actress Zara Lopez and FHM Philippines November 2005 cover girl Sofie Garrucho.
Rachel left showbiz just a year after her stint as a Viva Hot Babe. Unlike the other members, she had no interest in doing sexy movies mainly because of her strict father.
She recalled, "Yung daddy ko is very strict. That's why I wasn't able to do a sexy movie with Viva. [Sa group lang talaga] After that, no more na."
Rachel, however, participated in the group's music releases, particularly the songs "Basketbol" and "Batuta ng Pulis."
Rachel revealed she got pregnant at that time and that was when she started working for Mercedes Benz Alabang.
Looking back, she talked about being grateful for her showbiz experience and thankful to Viva for making her a Hot Babe even for a short time.
She said, "I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for them."
FROM CARS TO BEAUTY
Rachel was working as a car sales representative for 10 years before she decided to put up Autoflare in 2021, with Dexter Co as her business partner and marketing director.
Rachel said, "It's for those clients na gusto magpalit ng cars, pu-puwede niyong i-consign sa amin yung mga cars niyo free of charge."
Dexter added, "We needed a trade-in partner that's why Autoflare was born.
"If ever, somebody wants to trade in their vehicles, we course it through Autoflare, through Rachel, and we sell them the brand new cars. Her expertise in selling pre-owned cars is so excellent no, that we had a partnership."
Rachel was able to fund her business after selling 30 Mercedez Benz cars in just three months.
She said, "When I was able to sell 30 Mercedez Benz cars, yeah, he [Dexter] gave me opportunity to sell Mercedez Benz cars, that's where I got my funding.
"I worked hard for everything I have."
A little over a year later, Rachel decided to put up Estetika Wellness and Beauty Clinic.
In this business, she has teamed up with former Viva Hot Babe member Ella V. as her supplier of Esthemax Professional for the salon's European Hydrating Facial.
Rachel said it took her 16 years to finally achieve this dream.
"Ganun na siya katagal! Sobrang fan ako ng eyelashes talaga. Kasi pag wala akong pilik-mata, sobrang nag-iiba yung itsura ko.
"Parang sobra akong singkit, ganyan, e, mas gusto ko nagbu-bloom yung eyes ko."
Rachel continued, "Super maliit kasi yung eyes ko, so super fan ako ng eyelash extensions. So yun yung idea.
"'Tapos I love [doing my] nails, I love [doing my] hair. So I thought na bakit hindi ko na lang sila gawing business?
"That is my passion, e, that's what I love. And, you know, if you love what you're doing, I believe you'll be successful."
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES
Rachel said starting a business in the middle of a pandemic wasn't a walk in the park.
She told PEP.ph, "Ako talaga gumagawa, e, as in, from the hairs that I get. Of course, I get it from the best talaga, e, dapat.
"'Tapos down to the nail polish, down to the stones, ako talaga lahat ang nag-source.
"Lahat talaga. Ordering and stuff. So it took me a while to get this business talaga, lalo na yung Estetika kasi ano siya, e, very detailed yung mga kailangan.
"Lalo yung sa nails, ganyan, with the eyelashes, and hair extensions din."
It was also twice as challenging since Rachel had to juggle her time between minding her business and taking care of her three kids.
"Ang nangyayari, uuwi ako sa bahay, tulog na yung mga bata. What I did was I bring them here. So they study here with me, they eat lunch me.
"At least I'm still with my children, while I'm doing business."
Ultimately, Rachel is just grateful to see the fruition of her hard work.
Asked for a piece of advice she can share to other mommy entrepreneurs, she said, "If ever you want to do something, do it right away, and don't waste time.
"Kasi if tatanungin mo ako ngayon kung meron ba akong pagsisisi, sana pala noon ko pa inumpisahan. Inagahan ko na yung start."
READ MORE: