Wilma Doesn't is reaping the fruits of her labor.
In 2019, she and her husband opened the first branch of Chiks Ni Otit in General Trias, Cavite, with an initial capital of PHP300,000—PHP250,000 from her savings and the remaining PHP50,000 borrowed from her husband’s uncle.
Six years and many challenges later, her restaurant has gained a steady influx of customers even on weekdays.
On the sidelines of the media launch for Move It on January 29, 2026, Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP.ph) spoke to Wilma about building her business from scratch.
When asked if she considered taking a loan at the start of her venture, Wilma said she didn't want to have utang from the bank.
"Hindi ako... Takot ako mag-loan, e. And up to the present, wala din akong credit card, so ayaw ko ng utang," said Wilma.
"So anything na I wanted to build in the future at pag naisip ko na iyan, I start saving a part.
"Sa lahat ng nagiging kita ko, iipunan ko na apart nun para doon sa naiisip ko in the future."
Wilma revealed that the success of her first Chiks Ni Otit branch allowed her to open a second branch and her boutique hotel, Malaco, in Tagaytay.
Wilma Doesn’t on What Keeps Her Customers Coming Back
Her restaurant may not have luxury amenities like an air-conditioned room, but its main draw is good food and a comfortable dining experience with clean facilities.
That’s why she calls it a “five-star karinderya.”
It serves Pinoy favorites made with quality ingredients while remaining affordable for her customers.
Add to this, the lack of parking space has also been addressed.
Wilma affirmed: "Yes, kailangan mag-reinvest ulit doon sa negosyo mo.
"Meron kasing tinatawag na familiarity fatigue. So kaya mo iniiba yung look, nagdadagdag ka ng menu, para hindi nagsasawa yung customer mo.
"Lagi kang may something new to offer."
As an entrepreneur, she has experienced challenges in business operations including surviving the community lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is her secret to success?
"One, magtiwala ka. Magtiwala ka sa kakayahan mo, magtiwala ka sa negosyo mo, maniwala ka.
"Ipakita mo sa kanila na mahal mo yung negosyo mo. Magdasal ka rin.
"And dagdagan mo ng maraming, maraming sipag at hindi mo dapat alam ang salitang 'pagod na ako.'"
Asked about her driving force, Wilma readily answered, "You know, pag apat ang anak mo, gagawa at gagawa ka ng paraan para mabuhay ang mga anak mo."
wilma doesnt on SOMEBODY FEED PHIL FEATURE
A sign that Wilma's restaurant business is flourishing was the short feature for Chiks Ni Otit on the Netflix food documentary Somebody Feed Phil.
On the show's eight season, host/writer/producer Phil Rosenthal walked through several food spots in Metro Manila to try Filipino cuisine, and Wilma's restaurant got included among his selections.
The model-host made him try her restaurant's signature chicken inasal, grilled tuna panga, bulalo, stuffed milk fish, and banana split for dessert.
Phil appeared to have enjoyed his visit, describing her food offerings as "simple, grilled, beautiful food."
During their table conversation, Wilma mentioned that her 63 restaurant employees are mostly mothers, some undergraduate students, and a few ex-convicts.
She pointed out the importance of offering employment to those who have difficulty finding full-time work due to their life circumstances.
Phil, in turn, noted that giving second chances, even to ex-convicts, is admirable and is also practiced in some restaurants in the U.S.
That exposure on Somebody Feed Phil has helped boost awareness to her restaurant, according to Wilma.
"Ay, ang saya-saya ng puso namin. Of course, ang mga restaurant owner na kagaya ko na napi-feature ka sa mga global platform, nakakataas ng pride para sa amin.
"Kumbaga, sabi nga ng asawa ko, 'That is additional feather in my cap.' So ganoon siya.
"Imagine mo yung mga foreigner na naa-appreciate yung Filipino food? Ibang klase yun. Ibang antig doon sa puso namin. And thankful kami dun."
WHAT'S NEXT FOR WILMA DOESNT?
Always on fire to expand her investments, Wilma told PEP that her latest venture is a learning center for kids.
She plans to use her earnings from her endorsement of Move It to finance her new business.
"It's a gym play school in Cavite City for children ages one to four years old," she happily revealed.
She went on to say that her childhood dream was to become a teacher.
Talking about the inspiration for her learning center, she elaborated: "Ever since the world began, I wanted to be a teacher. Kaya lang nung panahon na yun mahirap kami.
"Ang nanay ko, imbes na ipangutang kami sa mga Bumbay ng tuition, inuna niya ang rice at linoleum. So hindi tayo nakapag-aral. So it's always in my heart."
Ngayon, I have resources. Kayang-kaya ko na siya gawin."
Wilma mentioned that the building construction started six months ago.
"Saktung-sakto, mukhang nagpapatayo talaga yung building ko kasi nagkaroon ako ng project like this sa Move It," referring to her earnings from her new endorsement as source of fund for her new venture.
While she won't personally teach in her kiddie school, Wilma said: "Meron akong partner na teachers. But I love kids.
"O, di ba?! From restaurant, meron akong hotel, and this is the next one, the learning center."