Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 9) — Content creator Mae Layug has no background in entrepreneurship, but she has established a cosmetics company that promotes inclusivity among its customers and represents the Philippines globally.
Speaking to CNN Philippines on Thursday, Layug said she first thought of establishing her brand Get Ready With Me Cosmetics, or GRWM Cosmetics, during a visit in South Korea.
“It was 2019, I was in Myeong-dong, Korea.” she recalled. “I was browsing a lot of makeup products. Sabi ko noon, it feels good if I could see Filipinos being represented globally…. sabi ko parang gusto kong mag-develop ng something that I could say that it’s proudly made by Filipinos for the Filipinos.”
[Translation: I said it feels good if I could see Filipinos being represented globally…I said I would like to develop something that I could say that it’s proudly made by Filipinos for the Filipinos.]
At the time, the beauty vlogger also saw what the Philippine market lacked, especially when it came to shade range of foundations and powders.
Since local brands usually had three shades then, Layug even had to source products overseas just to get what would suit her.
To fill this gap, Layug started working with brands for product development, which really made her interested. She then took the courage and decided to start her own brand.
Launched in 2020, GRWM Cosmetics aims to promote “beauty on your own terms” and inclusivity among its customers, said Layug, who is also the brand’s chief product officer.
She admitted that she got overwhelmed at first as she had “no background” in business management.
“I worked as a cardiac nurse for three years then became a content creator and I started my own business,\” she shared, \”but I’m very thankful na there are a lot of people na tumulong sa akin (who are helping me).\”
Since its launch three years ago, GRWM Cosmetics has been making a mark in the local makeup industry with its wide range of products.
