Kiray Celis opened up about what inspired her to go into business and launch her own brands.
In an interview with Karen Davila for DTI: Asenso Pilipino, the actress relayed that idea started when she worked as a live seller.
"Nung nag-start ako mag live selling ng iba't ibang products, first live selling ko naka-₱1 million ako na sales," she recalled.
However, at the time, she was only paid a talent fee to sell the products. "[That time] parang nasa ₱50,000 lang [TF ko]. Tapos po nagla-live ako ganyan, tapos laging milyon... Nung una akala ko po chamba. Tapos milyon-milyon, dere-derecho," she said.
It was her boyfriend, Stephan Estopia, who encouraged her to take the next step and build her own brand.
"Very business minded kasi 'yung boyfriend ko.... Tapos parang naiisip niya parang, alam mo kung nakakabenta ka sa kanila ng milyon, paano kung ikaw 'yung may-ari nung mga products na binebenta mo? Nabebenta mo nga 'yung iba eh, what more kung sarili mo pa? Mas masipag ka dun, tapos ginagamit mo pa, so mas makikita mo na mas okay talaga, tapos sa'yo lahat napupunta," she recalled.
Encouraged, Kiray began working with a manufacturer to develop her own products.
"Dun po ako nag-start mag-meet sa [manufacturer] ko na na-meet... dun nila ako guinide. Ito 'yung products namin pero ano ba 'yung gusto mong mangyari? Makakatulong ba sa'yo or sa mga gusto mong bentahan? Sabi ko bakit hindi both? Makakatulong sa akin at the same time ishe-share ko kapag nakatulong po talaga sa akin," she said. "Kaya ito pong products ko, lagi kong ipinagmamalaki na hindi ko nilabas para maka-benta lang, nilaba ko kasi nakatulong sa akin mismo."
Earlier this year, Kiray launched her first two brands: Hot Babe, a slimming coffee brand and Hello Bloom, a beauty and wellness drink brand. She then expanded her business with Day-Li, a line of food supplement capsules with various flavors and health benefits.