Three more branches of Skin 911 will open this year. (Skin 911 FB Page)
ELEANOR Velasco had to learn Cebuano to kick-start her skin care and beauty business in Cebu.
“I had my share of trials. Lain kaayo ilang tan-aw nimo, og mas lisod gyud masulod sa Cebu market if dili ka taga-diri (they look at you differently and it’s really hard to enter Cebu if you aren’t from here),” Velasco, chief executive officer of Skin 911 Facial and Slimming Center, said.
“Nagkat-on ko’g pina-Cebuano gyud nga Bisaya (I learned the Cebuano Bisaya). But I believe if you love the place, makakita gihapon kag tawo nga mu-believe sa imong gibuhat (you will find people who believe in what you’re doing),” she added.
She began her business as a home-service diamond peel and set up an outlet in 2006. After 10 years, the skin clinic already has five branches located in Mandaue City, APM mall, Jakosalem, Lahug and Escario.
Velasco said she plans to open in July two company-owned branches in Mactan and Talisay.
A third branch will open in Iloilo City next month while branches in Dumaguete and Bacolod will open later in the year.
“I would say that the lifestyle (in Cebu) now is more like Manila. Unlike before when skin care would be considered a luxury and kind of irrelevant, now they see it as a part of their lives. They have to take care of their skin,” Velasco said.
She said competition has intensified as more players have entered Cebu. But she was confident that with her firm knowledge of the market, she would survive.
“I have a loyal client base. Not to brag, but sometimes they go and try other clinics, and they always come back to me. It’s a testament to service and the kind of relationship businesses have with clients,” she said.