Sparkle GMA Artist Center talent Ashley Sandrine Yap couldn't hide her pride as she saw her hard work come to life with her first business venture, Sip2Glow.
Read: Meet Richard Yap's "twin," his daughter Ashley Yap
On Thursday, August 1, 2024, Ashley officially introduced her brand, with her dad Richard Yap as her first celebrity endorser, at an event held in Electric Garden, Bonifacio Global City.
At the press launch, Ashley shared that owning a business is a dream come true, inspired by watching her parents, Richard and Melody Yap, build and manage their own successful ventures.
Ashley said, "I come from a family where they're very business-minded. So if you guys know my dad, he and my mom have a lot of businesses.
"We have restaurants, we have a pet hotel.
"And so growing up, I just wanted to build my own brand as well."
Starting a beauty-related business was an obvious choice for Ashley.
"Ever since growing up, I was always into make-up, beauty. But then, aside from that, I think after the pandemic, it really opened my eyes that it's not just beauty, but also health is really important.
"And so I kind of wanted to make a combination of that. And this one not only makes you look beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside.
"Yeah, it helps with your health as well."
ASHLEY YAP: 2 YEARS IN THE MAKING
Ashley’s pivotal moment in deciding to launch her own brand came in 2022 when she was awarded Highest Performing Affiliate Partner by Lazada.
Reflecting on this achievement, she said, "And so with that, I thought, 'Oh my gosh, people trust my recommendations so much.'
"And if I talk about other people's products, why not make a brand of my own and share it with them as well?
"And they would know that it's actually of quality because it's actually something that's from me and from my heart as well.
"And so I think that's the main reason why we came up with SiptoGlow."
Additionally, her travel experiences, where she found products not yet available in the Philippines, fueled her motivation to start the business.
"I've been traveling a lot with my family. So I get a global perspective of the products that we still don't have here in the Philippines.
"So I wanted to bring that here and just show them that we could do a more elevated experience for our customers as well."
From that time on, it took her nearly two years of meticulous planning before she felt confident enough to launch her brand.
"Overall, like from the planning, the conceptualizing, it's gonna be almost two years. And then now lang siya namin ilo-launch.
"Kasi we really wanted to research and then plan everything ahead of time talaga. So medyo matagal yung process."
Starting a business is no easy feat and comes with many challenges.
Ashley is proud to have overcome them with her reliable team, particularly when their supplier's warehouse was hit hard by Typhoon Carina.
"Actually, siguro since it's my first one, ang dami ko rin po kailangan matutunan. So, I'm just taking it day by day talaga.
"So, may mga, siyempre may problems na parang, oh my gosh, nung bagyo, binaha yung supplier namin.
"So parang paano ba namin aayusin yun? Like, anong gagawin namin? So little things like that na day by day naman na-overcome namin.
"So I'm very grateful na I have a great team behind me."
WORKING WITH HER DAD
Launching the brand also gave Ashley the opportunity to work with her dad, Richard.
This decision sets her apart from most collagen drink brands, which typically feature female endorsers.
By choosing a male endorser, Ashley aims to convey that collagen drinks aren't exclusive to women and that any individual of age can benefit from them.
In her words, "I wanted to be able to give the message na parang, even men can take it. And no matter what age, basta adult na, puwede ka na mag-take.
"And yun nga, instead of just parang, parang ano, e, prevention is better than cure.
So habang bata ka pa, it's good to start right away.
"At siya, kahit medyo, mas may edad na siya, puwede mo pa ring i-take and it will still help. So, yun, walang limit siya. Like, for men or women, and even sa age."
Richard, one of the first to try the product, didn't hesitate when his daughter pitched the idea of him being the face of the brand.
Having personally experienced and believed in the benefits it offers, he was happy to endorse it.
"Aside from the fact that I don't have a choice," Richard jokingly said, before turning more serious, "I really saw Ashley's vision into bringing something that was of good quality but very affordable for everyone.
"And I've been quietly trying it out for the past few months I didn't say anything to anyone, but my co-actors in our show, a few days ago, they mentioned to me, 'Are you doing something to your skin? Because you seem to be glowing.'
"That's the exact term that they used, so I guess it's working."
But did Richard ask for a talent fee?
Ashley quipped, "Love lang po yung bayad."
Taking the cue from his daughter, Richard clarified that his involvement wasn't entirely pro bono.
He told the press, "Actually, we worked out an arrangement so she could make sure I participate. So, it's not free, but it's a discount."
Expounding on his "talent fee," Richard revealed, "Medyo may part na din ako sa negosyo, parang pampalubag-loob...
"Parang ano, what do you call that? Industrial, yung bibigay ko lang yung pag-endorse ko, not really because binabayaran ako, but because I believe in the product also."
LEARNING BUSINESS FROM HER DAD
Ashley has put her Marketing Management education from De La Salle University to good use with her new business.
However, beyond her formal education, she has also learned a great deal from her own parents.
When asked about the most important lesson she learned from them, Ashley replied, "I think one of the most important things I learned from my parents is that you really have to take care of your team.
"Alagaan mo talaga yung mga tao, kasi sila yung tutulong sa iyo...
"So, never forget to be thankful [to] the people around you and remember na it's not just yung grupo kayo na magpapalaki mong business together."
Another lesson she learned, specifically from her dad, is the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges.
Ashley said, "As an entrepreneur, he's very pursigido. Like, hindi siya nag-give up.
"Kahit ang hirap na nung pinagdadaanin sa business, he's always someone that will still push for it talaga hanggang kaya.
"So I think that's one thing that I learned from him as well."
Ultimately, Ashley also emphasized hard work.
"[Also] to be hands-on talaga. And to know na, you know, paglalaanan mo talaga siya ng oras.
"And may mga maghihirap kang pagdadaanan. But, we have them so prepare."
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