Actress Dianne Medina Is A Passionate Online Seller: ‘Kahit Ano Pwede [Ibenta]’
The new mom says she does not like seeing her bank account getting depleted.
![Actress Dianne Medina Is A Passionate Online Seller: ‘Kahit Ano Pwede [Ibenta]’](https://1cms-img.imgix.net/DIANNEMEDINA.jpg?auto=compress)
Starting a business is never easy, and it can even be more challenging if you are trying to balance work and family life at the same time. But for entrepreneurial women like actress Dianne Medina-Ilustre, no hurdle is ever too big.
In an episode of MomBiz on the Colours channel, the first-time mom shared that she takes after her parents when it comes to handling finances and managing a business.
“Ang business kasi ng family namin is apartments and commercial spaces, so may mga apartments [silang] pinapa-rent and houses. So, du’n ako nakakuha ng inspiration,” she tells hosts Pia Guanio-Mago and Divine Lee-Go.
In 2008, Dianne began a business selling and trading luxury bags from Japan to her co-workers and other celebrity friends.
“Uso pa nu’n, I remember, ‘yung BBM, dun kami lahat nagse-send nu’ng mga items, tapos exchange lang kami ng mga bentahan,” she says.
From bags, she also ventured into the shoe business and named her shop Shan ze laze, in partnership with Apartment 8. However, the business didn’t fly.
“At that time parang masyado pa kaming hilaw, hindi pa kami gaanong nag-test ng waters. Maraming challenges along the way.”
That did not discourage Dianne, however. Soon enough, she became an endorser and one of the incorporators of beauty shop Asia’s Lashes.
On the side, the 34-year-old also co-owns an events management company called 367 Events with her brother Xavier and his wife Andrea.
“But there were so many challenges along the way. So, during that time, nag-iisip ako, ano pa kayang pwedeng business? Because I don't want to see my account depleting.”
It was at that point when Dianne considered doing an online business. Through her Instagram account, @diannemedinashop, she began promoting and selling her products.
Online business
“Ang una kong binenta yung mga bags ko. Old bags ha, [and] old clothes. Ang bilis n’ya maubos. So, sabi ko dapat weekly or monthly dapat, kahit papano may bago at bago akong nilalabas para yung mga buyers, balik lang sila nang balik dun sa online shop,” she shares.
When her personal items had run out, Dianne extended the opportunity to her friends who are in the business of manufacturing clothes, bags, and essentials for the pandemic. Not long after, the online store became a one-stop shop where people can buy home decoration, accessories, beauty kits, and even food.
“Kahit ano talaga. Talagang open yung online shop ko. So, I just post, tapos every time may nakakausap ako, ‘Uy maganda product mo, pwede ko ba ibenta y’an?’ So padagdag lang siya nang padagdag,” she says.
Dianne admits she had some doubts about the online business in the beginning. “Nu’ng time na ‘yun, kinakabahan ako. Lalo na ‘yung mga clothes, mga bags, luxury items kasi syempre pandemic, [baka] walang bibili. So nagulat ako, surprisingly maraming bumili, na-sold out ko s’ya, nauubos ko s’ya without the hassle of going outside to do transactions.”
For Dianne, her online business is more than just a way to earn. Part of the proceeds go to Bayanihan PH, a collaboration of volunteers to help the homeless, frontliners, and COVID-19 patients. The project was founded by her sister Katrina.
Giving birth during a pandemic
In the same MomBiz episode, Dianne also shared her experience giving birth in the middle of the pandemic. As a first-time mom, she admitted how scary and nerve-racking it was, especially since no one, not even her husband Rodjun Cruz, was allowed to accompany her during labor and delivery.
“Sana man lang may support system, na parang hahawakan ng asawa ko yung kamay ko, pero, bawal!”
Their son Rodolfo Joaquin Diego III is now seven months old.
Dianne shared the following advice for those who want to start their own online business.
“Just make sure you do what you love to do, [that] it’s your passion. Kasi minsan kapag napipilitan ka lang … para magkapera, sometimes, hindi nagiging successful ‘yung isang business. Kailangan din mahal mo ‘yung ginagawa mo. And ‘yung business mo, talagang ‘yun ‘yung passion mo.”
And for those who have been experiencing tough times because of the pandemic, she has this to say.
“Count your blessings more than your problems, kasi alam ko ‘yung mga pinagdadaanan natin. And remember that your family is here, just surround yourself with so much positivity and so much love around you.”
Catch MomBiz every Thursday, 8 pm on Colours. Available on Cignal TV Ch. 202 HD and Ch. 60 SD, and for FREE on Cignal Play.
This article originally appeared on OneLife.PH
