Monday, April 24, 2006
From Davao to the world
By Jojie Alcantara
Witerary
YOUNG entrepreneur Vanessa Mondragon talks about maintaining good skin care and youthful looks through a locally launched label called Armacology Sensi, and investing on a business worth our money and time. It started with an obsession for botanical-based products and hanging out in the Bodyshop outlets. A big idea occurred, and now she is running over 4 outlets in Mindanao. Lifestyle writer Jojie A. interviews her over Oriental Salad in Thai Ming restaurant.
JOJIE: So how did you come up with this idea? Why a business venture on skin care?
VANESSA: After a year of conscientiously planning and strategizing what an ideal business should be, we've finally come up with a distinctive and affordable business set-up that would not entail a big capital outlay for those who want to have a business of their own, and for people still employed but want to have a part time business. We have many reasons why we ventured on skin care business. First, Skin Care is the top 3 franchising business in the Philippines. Secondly, the viability for this business confirms by these facts: A steady market dominating the entire Philippines population is women; female population in the Philippines is 51% or 43 million; 70% of the women population belongs to 18-60 years old which is our target market and 6% household expenditures allotted for personal care. Third, most people nowadays want to have healthy youthful looking skin and stress-free time in their daily lives. Aromacology Sensi reinvented the personal care with the introduction of fragrance, flavorful indulgences including Body Butter, Aromatherapy Soap, Hair Treatment, Bath & Massage Oils, Body Scrub, Soya Milk Scrub, Depilatory Cold Wax, Facial & Foot Care with a focus on innovation from nature. It is backed-up by a research-based company, Bioskin, who has undisputed credentials in the skin care industry by providing high quality and innovative products.
JOJIE: How many outlets and location?
VANESSA: Aromacology Sensi evolved from one small shop in Davao City with only around 10-15 hand-mixed products on sale to where we are today; Four branches are located in different malls in the region, and still more to come! Currently we have three franchise outlets in Davao City in a unique cart display design located at the NCCC Mall of Davao, second floor (inside All Mixed Up!), Gaisano Mall of Davao, second floor beside escalator near Port Caf?; and Victoria Plaza, ground floor near Penhaus. We recently opened at SouthSeas Mall in Cotabato City and soon to open at KCC Mall Gen. Santos City.
JOJIE: What are the most popular items?
VANESSA: Our products are designed to fit people from all walks of life. One of the fast moving products is our Body Scrub made from dead sea salt and sugar that is known to be high in minerals and blended with flavorful extracts of fruits and vegetables that exfoliates, whitens and nourish skin with nutrients. We have Body Butter to protect your skin from the sun's rays and keep your skin moisturized the whole day. For Acne, insect bites, pimples and other anti-bacterial skin problems, we have pure Tea Tree Oil to solve your skin problems. Our Hypo-allergenic Bath & Massage Oils extracted from Grapefruit, Peppermint, Green Tea & VCO that is absorbed by the skin leaving it feeling smooth, non-greasy, with calming scents and anti-oxidants.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (April 24, 2006 issue)
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