Kapamilya actress Andrea Brillantes, together with another famous YouTuber, Jay Emil Lasian (of team Katagumpay) recently renewed their contracts as endorsers of the fastest-growing food franchise Tapawarma. It was a good occasion for Andrea to talk about why she herself is venturing into business at a very young age, particularly her own make-up brand Lucky Beauty which was launched recently.
Andrea revealed that she worked hard to succeed in show business because she was inspired by Kylie Jenner of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" fame and founder of Kylie Cosmetics.
"May passion talaga ako sa make-up. Parang three years old pa lang ako, nagmi-make up na ako. Sobrang arte ko talaga noong bata ako. And noong nag-launch si Kylie Jenner ng sarili nyang brand, sabi ko gusto ko ring maging ganyan. Kaya nagpursigi talaga ako sa pagtatrabaho na magkaroon ng sarili kong pangalan para someday magawa ko rin yun. At eto na po ako ngayon," she stated.
(I really have a passion for make-up. I was only three years old when I started putting on make-up. When Kylie Jenner launched her own brand, I told myself I want to be like her. That's why I really worked hard to have a name in show business so I can do what Kylie did. And here I am.)
Aside from Kylie, the 19-year old Andrea said she looks up to people like Tapawarma CEO John Oliva who was a former janitor before starting his own set of businesses with his wife, Ladyh.
"Proud ako sa mga katulad ko na ginagawa ang lahat para sa pamilya kaya congrats po talaga Sir John dahil naging successful ang inyong brand," she said.
(Am really proud of those who do everything for their family, that's why I would like to congratulate Sir John for the success of his brand).
The Tapawarma owner disclosed during the chain's first Franchise Ball in Alabang that he also had a string of business failures. Success only became possible when they learned to be of service to others and increased their faith in God. Now, the Olivas also own Senyor Juan Suman Latik, Chef Senyor Juan Frozen Meat, Salt and Lia Beauty Spa Salon, John and John Global Solutions, among other ventures.
Andrea recalled her own journey. Starting her acting career at the tender age of seven and not really making waves until ten years later, she looked back at the moments in between when she entertained doubts about whether she would ever make it.
Now, her advice to everyone is to " have faith, love yourself and never ever give up."
"Alam ko cliche sya pero sobrang totoo na… never give up talaga, Ang daming stages sa life ko na na naisip ko na itigil ko na ba to? Parang wala naman akong mararating. O me mga pagsubok na ang layo-layo talaga ng mga pangarap ko sa nangyayari. Ang dami dami kong mga tanong pero lagi kasi akong umuuwi sa "bakit ako nagsimula? bakit ako nandito? Titingnan ko lang ang family ko, aalalahanin ko ang pangarap ko noong bata pa lang ako at kahit mahirap, pinipili ko pa ring bumangon, pinipili ko pa ring lumaban at magtiwala talaga sa timing ni Lord," she stated.
(I know it's cliche but it's really true: never give up. There were so many stages in my life where I thought of stopping because I felt I was not getting far. There were challenges where what was happening was far from what I was aspiring for. I had a lot of questions but I always went back to the reason why I started, why I'm here. I just look at my family and my dreams as a child. So even if it's hard, I always choose to get up, fight, and trust in the timing of the Lord.)