This woman from Rizal made sure to make her dreams into reality—literally!
Dimple Ariado said that in her dreams, she launched a footwear business and became successful in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am a corporate sales executive before. Nag-start ‘yung business namin dahil napanaginipan ko lang siya. Nanaginip ako na naging successful kami because of mga sandals, shoes. So ‘yung nasa panaginip ko nakabili kami ng bagong sasakyan, nakabili kami ng bahay, so do’n siya nag-start,” Dimple told the Philippine STAR.
Dimple then told her unique dream to her partner, Alfren Gayosa. “Sabi ko sa kanya, ang ganda no’ng panaginip ko.”
The couple had been talking about establishing their own business together to sustain their needs during the pandemic.
“Kasi nag-iisip kami before that night kung ano kaya magiging business namin. So paubos na ‘yung mga savings namin kasi nga pandemic, walang work, so ‘yung natitira naming pera at that time, actually it’s P6,000 nalang. Do’n namin siya ini-start,” she recalled.
Dimple and Alfren then looked for footwear suppliers in Marikina. But Alfren admitted that at first, he was also undecided with the chosen business.
“Sabi ko pag-isipan muna namin. Kasi siyempre, kung ano mangyari heartbreak na naman ‘diba sa pagnenegosyo. Kasi siyempre, P6000 din ‘yon. ‘Di man gano’n kalaki ‘yan, [pero] sayang din.” Eh ‘di ‘yon, pagbalik namin dito, wala pang 30 minutes bumalik kami agad. Magsasara na ‘yung supplier,” he noted.
According to Dimple, she is not fond of owning several pairs of shoes unlike her partner. It was only her dream that piqued her interest in shoes and footwear.
Alfren poured his all-out support for their business after seeing Dimple’s determination. “Parang natawa ako pero sa kabila no’n, ‘yung excitement. Tsaka siyempre malaki naman ‘yung tiwala ko diyan sa partner ko.”
After investing P6,000, the couple now earns five digits. They would sell around 500 pairs every month. From a two-man-team, they now have 15 resellers nationwide.
“Kung hindi nagka-pandemic at hindi ko napanaginipan, walang D Selections. Siguro ‘yung dream na ‘yon, maraming natulungan, hindi lang kami,” Dimple stressed.
Her dreams also served as a reminder to keep working hard as they aspire for their business to be recognized globally.
“Naging continuous reminder talaga siya sa’min na ‘wag niyo pabayaan kasi diyan kayo nag-start at diyan din kayo magiging successful,” she said.
The couple said that one of the keys to their success was their trust and support for each other.
“Ever since naman malaki ang tiwala ko sa kanya. So, sa lahat ng plano niya na gusto niyang gawin, pinagkatiwalaan ko siya at sinusuportahan ko siya. Kaya no’ng nangyari ‘yung sa panaginip niya, ‘yun sabi ko, ‘Sige gawin natin ‘yan malay mo, wala din namang mawawala kung subukan’ kasi nga negosyo. Kung hindi ka magri-risk, walang mangyayari,” Alfren said.
“Risk taker kasi ako eh. Pero kung hindi din talaga dahil sa kanya. Siya ‘yung talagang nag-push sa’kin. Tsaka iba ‘yung pagiging supportive niya. May gano’ng tao pala. May partner pala na puwede kang suportahan sa lahat and matutulungan ka na mag-improve pa hindi lang para sa sarili mo kundi para din sa binubuo niyong business and future plans gano’n,” Dimples echoed.
