This gen Z from Pampanga is a living proof that every rejection in life is simply a redirection.
Ymarel Angel Nazal Lintag graduated with a degree in economics at University of the Philippines Baguio in 2018. After graduating, she pursued a career at the Department of Education.
“Actually, hindi itong business na ‘to ang unang reason ko to resign. I was supposed to get po ‘yung second degree ko. Music sana pero hindi kasi ako pumasa ng auditions dun sa dream university ko,” she told The Philippine STAR.
“Parang naka-set na ‘yung mind ko na papasa ako dito, mag-aaral ako ulit. Nung hindi ako pumasa, wala akong Plan B. Parang nag-fail na ako dun sa plan ko na ‘yun,” she added.
Growing up, Ymarel saw her mom’s pamper sessions at the nail salon. Little did she know, it would be her business in the future.
“Next to music, art po ‘yung passion ko. Over time, nagna-nail art pa rin naman ako sa sarili ko pero nakalimutan ko na ‘yung parang mag-pursue ng career dun. Kasi art nanaman ‘yun, passion nanaman, wala namang pera dun,” she noted.
She then decided to try her luck in the nail art industry. Ymarel started selling hand painted fake nails online in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ang initial capital ko is 30,000. Since nag blow up nga siya sa Tiktok nung una, ROI ako after 200 sets. Kasi December diba very festive ganyan tas ang daming nag oorder talaga. Minsan bulk pa ‘yung order nila,” she said.
After a few months, she realized she needed to expand her services. She then started accepting clients at home after securing certificates to become a nail technician.
“May bride nun gusto niya na magpa-nail art, kaya lang ayaw niya mag-fake nails. Tapos parang ‘yun ‘yung nag-motivate sa’kin na “oo nga, what if mag-expand ako?” Kasi ‘yung iba hindi nga naman talaga nagfe-fake nails,” she recalled.
“In 2023, nakakatanggap na ako ng 70 clients a month on average. Ang nabebenta kong sets ng fake nails ngayon nasa 100 to 150 sets a month,” she added.
When her business became stable, she decided to resign from her day job and focus on her newly established business.
“‘Yung mga magqu-quit ng corporate job, tapos halimbawa nagpursue ng passion and hindi agad nabigay ‘yung gusto, tandaan lang lagi na every rejection is [a] redirection. Lagi mong iisipin na baka hindi pa binibigay sa’yo kasi hindi mo pa time. There will always come a time na ikaw naman,” she stressed.
Ymarel hopes to establish a beauty academy in the future to help individuals earn money in the same business.
Meanwhile, sshe also shared that others were curious on how she pursued her passion.
“Ang tanong nila, ‘Ate, should I continue with pursuing my degree?’ Sinasabi ko naman lagi kung kaya niyo, ipagpatuloy niyo muna. Kasi kailangan niyo magka back up. Although may high hopes ka na mag succeed ‘yung business mo, meron ka pa rin dapat nasa isip mo na what if mag fail ka san ka mapupunta,” she shared.
“In another lifetime kung mas privileged ako, passion agad. Kasi sayang din ‘yung four years na parang iinispend mo. Parang mas magagamit mo ‘yung four years para makapag grow ka sa path na gusto mo,” Ymarel said.
