In just a year and a half, content creator Anna Magkawas has turned her social media presence into a profitable and successful family business: the Luxe Beauty and Wellness Group.
On Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Anna and her husband Mel Magkawas threw a grand party to celebrate the success of their business at the Enderun Tent in Taguig City.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), the 35-year-old social media personality/ entrepreneur expressed her excitement to be sharing this milestone with all her employees and business partners.
She beamed, "Sobrang excited and sobrang happy kasi ito yung most-awaited event ko, to start the year 2023... para sa Luxe, para sa Luxe family.
"One year na kami... And today, andito kami para i-celebrate yung success ng Luxe family doon sa isang taon na pagsasama namin, ng journey namin.
"Grabe, nakaka-ovewhelm yung ambilis, ambilis na nakilala agad yung products namin.
"Maybe because the products are really good and effective, that's why...
"Yung word of mouth din ng tao, hindi mo mapipigilan yung mga tao na mag-share ng positive experience nila with our products."
FROM LUXURY BAGS TO WELLNESS PRODUCTS
Anna started her beauty and wellness company in 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic was still surging.
She initially launched a skincare line called Luxe Skin. This was followed by a set of beauty drinks and slimming supplements under Luxe Slim.
Prior to this, Anna has already been known for reselling pre-loved designer items via LUXONLINE PH on Instagram, which now has 176,000 followers and two physical stores.
She has since gained a long list of celebrity clientele, counting Alexa Ilacad, Sofia Andres, Rhian Ramos, and Elisse Joson, among many others.
Read related story: Hermes Birkin bag reseller becomes victim of theft: "Naka-face mask sila"
Anna decided to put up a YouTube channel to help guide her Instagram followers on how to distinguish authentic designer bags from fake ones. Her vlogging channel now has over 187,000 subscribers.
Anna enjoys running her varying businesses and is very much hands-on in their operations.
Asked what made her shift from selling bags to beauty and wellness products, Anna said it's all about the sense of fulfillment it brings.
She told PEP.ph, "From luxury bags, minsan tinatawanan ako ng mga friends ko na mas gusto ko pa daw magbenta ng kape kesa magbenta ng mga mamahalin na bags."
"Siguro kasi nag-eenjoy din naman talaga ako and parang feeling ko, ang dami-dami ko ring natutulungan na tao, na community with Luxe products.
"Kasi may mga, of course, new business owners na nagtiwala sa akin to distribute our products. So, nae-enjoy ko and I wanna make sure talaga na lahat naggo-grow."
So now, she's preparing to launch a new business, the Luxe Cosmetics.
She said, "This February, ilo-launch ko ang Luxe Cosmetics naman.
"So, natapos na yung shoot namin and excited na ako i-share kung ano yung mga products, product line namin for cosmetics naman.
"And more products from Luxe Skin and Luxe Slim, so marami kayong aabangan, guys."
TAKING RISKS
Anna related she had her fair share of "what ifs" when she was starting a business from scratch.
She said, "Mahirap din, siyempre lalo na first time ko mag-venture sa ganitong business.
"Sabi ko nga nung una, hesitant talaga ako na pasukin ito kasi unang una, hindi ko naman siya linya, 'di ba? Pero bakit hindi subukan?
"And ito na, hindi ako nagsisi na sinubukan ko siya kasi... Sa una mahirap pero once na inaral mo, once na, of course, nasa process tayo ng ano pa rin... learning process.
"Never-ending na learning process pero masasabi ko na so far, naging successful ang simula."
Speaking from experience, Anna advised aspiring entrepreneurs not to fear taking risks, "Huwag matakot sumubok kasi lahat naman, sa una medyo hesitant tayo.
"'What If? What if? What if?' Pero, what if ito pala yung kapalaran mo, ito pala yung linya na para sa iyo. Bakit hindi natin subukan?"
CELEBRITIES SPOTTED
Meanwhile, here are all the celebrities spotted during their thanksgiving party.
Aubrey Miles
Alexa Ilacad
Cassy Legaspi
Dani Barretto
Zeinab Harake
Pau Fajardo
Kimpoy Feliciano
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