This couple from Quezon City used to visit different ukay-ukay stores way back in college. One day, they tried selling their own clothes.
“We started actually nung 2018. Nag uukay na kami na pang sarili hanggang sa plano namin pang sarili na mahilig kami din mag-ukay. Binenta muna namin ‘yung mga sarili naming damit dahil wala kaming pang capital. Ang unang bumibili sa’min mga classmates ko,” 24-year-old Nicha Laurio told The Philippine STAR.
In 2019, Nicha Laurio and her boyfriend Mccoy Tay decided to invest P5,000 for their ukay-ukay business.
“Nakita namin ‘yung potential na ‘yung mga Pilipino gusto naka-jacket lagi kahit mainit. Ang price range lang namin is P70 to P449,” she said.
Nicha then started live selling on social media once a week. To their surprise, their products would sell out every time.
“Sa live selling talagang mas mabilis ‘yung pera sa live selling. So kunwari ‘yung 100 dito sa store, kaya sa live selling may nag bi-bidding ng P180 kunin ko ng P200,” Nicha revealed.
“Ako ‘yung assistant niya kasi dun siya magaling eh sa humarap sa camera. Ako camera shy ako eh,” Mccoy added.
A month after, the couple decided to put up a physical store along Del Monte Avenue in Quezon City. But before achieving success, they went through hard times.
“We started three days lang dito sa store na ‘to na walang customers kahit isa. Binigyan kasi kami ng three months lang, kasi hindi sa’min ‘tong store. ‘Pag walang nangyari alis na,” Nicha recalled.
“Sobrang mabilis siya sumuko. Andyan ‘yung time na minsan sasabihin ko sa kanya, okay lang ‘yan may bukas pa naman. May mga darating na araw pa naman. Sabi ko nagsimula tayo sa wala, anong masakit kung wala,” Mccoy noted.
With hard work and determination, a single social media post went viral on social media, and the rest was history.
“One single post sa Facebook, until now sold out siya. Naso-sold out namin in just two hours to three hours. May nagka-camping dito, may natutulog, may nag-aabang talaga kailan new arriva,” she said.
“Nagulat kami ‘yung iba talagang matanda na senior na, talagang pumipila sila. Nakakagulat kasi sabi nga nila, “ukay lang kami eh bakit kailangan pilahan kayo?” Mccoy added.
Mccoy also revealed the importance of finding the right partner in establishing a business.
“Hanapin mo ‘yung right na partner mo then ‘yung sumunod nun ‘yung pinaka right na business. Mas mahirap maghanap ng partner na tama kaysa magtayo ng business. Factor lalo na open kami sa isa’t-isa. Walang pero pero pag may gusto siyang sabihin sa’kin, sasabihin niya talaga sa’kin,” he stressed.
Their store is open once a week for walk-in customers. Despite fewer operations, the couple still earns five figures per week. They also have around 2,000 resellers nationwide.
With their hard work and sacrifices, Mccoy and Nicha were able to buy vehicles. Aside from that, they are currently building their own house.
“Kami kasi nagsimula sa passion lang eh. Talagang hindi lang ‘yung kita ‘yung minahal namin, pati ‘yung bad sides niya ginusto talaga namin,” Nicha
“Kahit na anong business mo basta nakuha mo ‘yung right partner mo, magbubunga’t magbubunga ‘yan. ‘Pag gusto mo ‘yung ginagawa mo, kahit paulit-ulit ka bumabagsak, darating at darating ang araw na makakatayo’t makakatayo ka pa rin,” Mccoy added.
