These successful Filipino businesswomen are challenging the norms in the business industry, boasting entrepreneurial success that brings nothing but pride in the Philippines’ journey towards gender parity.
Mica Tan
At 19, Mica Tan already knew what it is she wanted to do—to start her own business. Eight years later, she has done exactly that: co-founding private equity firm, MFT Group, which she also serves as the CEO. Her firm is active in nine countries worldwide, boasting an asset of $61 million.
Anne Arcenas-Gonzalez
Known as the “flip-flop queen,” Anne Arcenas-Gonzalez is the president of lifestyle retail distribution company Terry SA, which is also the exclusive distributor of Havaianas. She is also the owner of CommonThread, a store offering Filipino and worldwide brands, as well as Thread 365, a line of her own created tees.
Angeline Tham
Angeline Tham founded Angkas in 2015 based on her own experience, claiming that she has been late for several meetings after spending six hours in the Metro Manila traffic. She thought of a solution that will benefit thousands of other commuters who have endured the same traffic experience as her through this motorbike service application. Since then, the app has been downloaded 1.5 multiple times and claims to have a 99.99 percent security record.
Abba Napa
Abba Napa is a co-founder of The Moment Group, which owns a portfolio of restaurants and bars in the Philippines including Mo Cookies, Phát Pho, Ooma, Manam, Mecha Uma and Bank Bar. It has also imported Taiwan’s Michelin-rated restaurant, Din Tai Fung.
This Filipina is also part of the Next Generation Council of the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines, wherein she was responsible for making the forthcoming Sustainability Solutions Expo, featuring the most recent food-related solutions and technologies.
Rissa Mananquil Trillo
Rissa Mananquil Trillo co-founded well-known cosmetics brand popular cosmetics company Happy Skin, which has 13 stores and very nearly 100 beauty counters around the Philippines. The brand has also won 30 beauty awards, including the ‘Most Promising New Cosmetic Brand’ award from Watsons Philippines.
Contributed by Shilpi Kakani
