Aubrey Miles is grateful that her business was able to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 40-year-old celebrity entrepreneur is a proud owner of A-MILES Pawnshop, which she named after herself.
Read related story: Aubrey Miles a protective mom to her many kids--her plants!
Currently, Aubrey's pawnshop business has two branches: one at Makati Cinema Square in Makati City and the other in Cubao, Quezon City.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Aubrey proudly said that her pawnshop business is as old as her showbiz career.
She revealed, "Yung first branch ko, mga 20 years ago na, nung nag-start ako ng showbiz. And then yung second branch ko, 11 years na."
PEP.ph caught up with Aubrey at the grand opening of Kiko Milano's first store in the country at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City last January 27, 2023.
AUBREY MILES' 20-YEAR BUSINESS
While other celebrities often choose food, beauty, and wellness-related businesses, Aubrey opted to go for the "unusual" choice.
But the actress revealed that she inherited the pawnshop business from her mom Maria Perla Santos.
"Kasi yung mom ko, may lending and pawnshop. And hindi ako maano sa lending kasi parang naloko siya dun.
"So tinuloy ko yung pawnshop. Mom ko yung nagma-manage. Pero now, ako na. So mom ko yung nag-start, tapos ayun na, tuluy-tuloy na."
Asked what made her continue the family biz, Aubrey answered, "Mas gamay ko yung mga jewelry na sangla, alam ko na yung mga routine."
Aubrey also had to close her pawnshop for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
And like many other business owners, Aubrey also helped her employees during these trying times.
She recalled, "Nag-close din kami kasi kailangan. Parang ilang months din, tapos nung nag-six months...
"Pero nag-pay din ako ng tao kasi parang kailangan ko rin maano... ma-maintain ko din sila. Ayoko mawala."
Fortunately, she was able to recover from the losses and even lend financial help to those in need during the first year of the pandemic.
"So okay din naman. Na-balance ko naman and nung nag-open, isa yun sa mga nag-open na kailangan.
"Kasi parang somehow, necessity rin... And nakatulong yung pawnshop."
GETTING BACK TO SHOWBIZ
PEP.ph asked Aubrey if she's now open to accepting movie or TV projects.
Aubrey stated she is contemplating a return to the entertainment industry now that the conditions are returning to normal.
"Now, because this year sabi ko, 'Maybe I'll be open...' Actually, may mga managers na since before na gusto ako isali sa mga soap.
"And we'll see, if I'll start again. Wala nang mga lock-in tapings. So let's see. I'll probably meet up with some manager na kilala ko before.
"I'm open but I still want boundaries pa rin, limitations pag nag-showbiz na ulit."
Being a mom to a daughter with special needs, Aubrey admitted that the lock-in requirement of some productions is the main reason why she hasn't been accepting acting projects.
"Yun lang kasi wala kaming yaya," she told PEP.ph.
"Siguro if there's a good and deserving na role para sa akin, then I'll probably get a yaya but let's see."
Aubrey's daughter Rocket celebrated her 5th birthday last December 2022. Aubrey also has two sons: Maurie, 22, and Hunter, 15.
Read related stories:
- Aubrey Miles admits blaming herself for daughter's autism
- Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero finally tie the knot after 18 years of being together
CELEBRITIES SPOTTED
Meanwhile, here are the other celebrities we spotted at Kiko Milano's grand opening:
Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong
Former Pinoy Big Brother housemate/content creator Raf Juane
Influencer/events host Janeena Chan
GMA-7 actress Pamela Prinster
Beauty and fashion content creators (L-R) Marj Maroket, Rhea Bue, Vina Guerrero, and Katt Valdez
READ MORE: