After re-launching her salon business DYLN Style Lounge in Quezon City last month, Jennylyn Mercado said she will be focusing on being both an actress and a businesswoman this year. The 37-year-old artist also put up her own production studio Brightburn Entertainment along with husband Dennis Trillo last year. When she is in business owner mode, Jen said she wants to know all the little details.
“Iba, siyempre mas hands-on ako pagka sa business. Kahit na wala ako sa salon, kahit na busy ako, nasa work ako, yung reports maya’t maya, yung tawag maya’t maya. Importante na hands on ka para hindi tayo naloloko. Hindi natin masasabi yung panahon ngayon. Hindi natin alam may mga nangyayari na hindi mo alam. Kaya mas maganda na aware ka sa lahat ng mga galaw at lahat ng decisions sa business mo,” she said.
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Jen also says being a wife and mother gives her even more inspiration to do well in her businesses. “Siyempre, kaya ko naman ginagawa ito para sa future ng pamilya ko, ng mga anak ko. And itong DYLN pagka wala ako, sila na ang mag-ha-handle nito. Para naman secured na yung future nila kapag dumating yung oras na kailangan ko na silang iwan. Huwag naman (laughs). Pero hindi natin masasabi yung panahon. Hindi natin masasabi yung buhay. Hindi natin alam kung anong puwedeng mangyari,” she added.
Prior to opening her salon, Jen had previously operated a salon (under a different name) and a cat cafe at the same location found along Maginhawa street which is right in the heart of U.P Village.
“Ten years na kami and siyempre inaral namin. Kasi ako talaga, mahilig ako magpa-salon, magpa-hair color, magpa-nails. And now, meron kaming additional services. May drip kami, may lashes din kami, may brows na kami. So para na siyang one stop shop. Naisip namin na magdagdag ng mga services and magkaron na rin ng mga franchise dahil isa ito sa mga talagang naka-focus ako na business ever since. Kaya nga ten years na kami and nadagdagan na lang yung mga services namin. Ngayon, happy kami na i-announce na magkakaroon na kami ng mga franchise and magkakaroon na kami ng mga ibang branch sa south kaya abangan niyo yan,” she explained.
When asked what happened to her previous salon location, Jen revealed, “Nanakawan kami dun. Marami kaming mga hindi magagandang experience dun pero so far dito okay naman.”
As a hands-on owner, Jen said she wanted to go through the same training as her staff so she would be familiar with the process.
“Nag-train ako nung sa lashes kasi lagi akong naka-lashes kung napapansin niyo. Kasi pagkagising mo, ayos ka na, hindi mo na kailangan mag-mascara, buhay na yung mata. So nung nag-t-training sila dito nung nag-la-lash training sila, kasama ako. Na-realize ko ganun pala talaga kahirap yung isa-isa mo siyang ilalagay, hindi mo basta basta puwede gawin kasi kailangan steady yung hands mo, hindi nanginginig,” she admitted.
If she were to give what she considers her best advice when it comes to doing business, Jen said that nothing beats a business owner who is really passionate about what she does.
“As much as possible, maging hands-on talaga kayo. Silipin niyo lahat yan. Pag-aralan niyo lahat yan bago kayo pumasok sa isang business. Kung gusto niyo ng ka-partner, sana kilalanin niyo kung sino yung makaka-partner niyo. Mag-research kayo,” she said.