How this Gen Z Filipina grew her business: HIRAYA PILIPINA by CLEO LOQUE | MIC DROP with ayn bernos

Cleo Loque, a 20-year-old BS Entrepreneurship student, introduces herself as the founder of Hiraya Pilipina. Her brand aims to provide innovative solutions for women, currently focusing on solution wear like nipple pasties and period care like bamboo pads. She highlights the brand's evolution and its mission to empower women.

Cleo recounts starting her entrepreneurial journey at 15 with a 20,000 pesos loan from her supportive parents. Hiraya Pilipina initially sold empowering statement t-shirts and evolved to include various merchandise. Her parents, who were real estate agents and later entrepreneurs themselves, were highly supportive of her venture, which Cleo considers her biggest privilege.

Cleo discusses balancing her college studies with managing Hiraya Pilipina, noting that her entrepreneurship course directly benefits her business. She emphasizes the challenge of building a team at a young age, especially when some members might have more experience. Her strategy involves being deeply involved with her team, empowering them, and fostering their growth by identifying and nurturing their strengths.

Cleo describes the pivotal moment when her business "snowballed" after launching nipple pasties. This product, unlike her previous diverse offerings, led to a significant revenue increase. She took a calculated risk by investing three-quarters of her business's money into this new direction, driven by a strong belief in the product and a 'nothing to lose' mindset. She also highlights the role of Tik Tok shop live selling, which now accounts for 60% of their sales.

Cleo shares her financial management system, inspired by Donald Miller's 'Business Made Simple,' which involves four bank accounts: operating expenses, personal account (for her fixed salary), business profit account (for future investments and safety net), and an investment holdings account (for passive income generation). This system ensures the business's financial health and separates personal finances from business funds.

Cleo never considered quitting entrepreneurship, driven by her belief in Hiraya Pilipina. She discusses cultivating self-belief through small wins and consistently following through on commitments. Addressing how to start a business with limited funds, she advocates starting small and making it work. For those with no experience, she advises finding something you can 'own' and are ready to fight for, whether it's a passion or a problem you want to solve.

Cleo concludes by emphasizing the importance of self-belief. She states that believing in oneself exponentially increases the chances of success, especially when you are the kind of person who will make things happen regardless of challenges. She encourages viewers to follow her and Hiraya Pilipina on social media.