Ever scroll through social media and feel like everyone’s living their best lives and have their very own business success stories, while you’re stuck wondering if your side hustle will ever pay off? Don’t worry, some of the most inspiring women entrepreneurs in the Philippines didn’t start with massive capital or celebrity connections.
In a business world that was not exactly designed for women in mind, these Filipino entrepreneurs aren’t just thriving, they’re rewriting the rules entirely. They’re proving that you don’t need to compromise your values, hide your femininity, or copy “how it’s always been done” to build something extraordinary. While they also face the infamous “twice as good for half the credit” challenge, these women are turning perceived barriers into launchpads for innovation. The best part? Their strategies aren’t secret or complicated—they’re principles you can start applying today.
Top Filipino Women Entrepreneurs:
- Czarina Sevilla – Avocadoria PH
- Maricar Peñalosa – Ate Rica’s Bacsilog
- Anna Magalona – But First Coffee
- Glenda Victorio – Brilliant Skin Essentials
- Angela Chen-Delantar – Eskwelabs
- Andrea Brillantes – Lucky Beauty
- Kathryn Bernardo – KathNails & Isla Amara
Czarina Sevilla, Founder of Avocadoria
Czarina Sevilla left her corporate job during the pandemic to sell avocado spreads from her kitchen—a move that transformed into Avocadoria PH, a sustainability success story.
While other food brands post perfect product shots, Czarina films everything from farmer negotiations to supply chain hiccups during typhoon season. This radical transparency built a loyal following who trust her completely. By showing the messy, unglamorous parts of running a food business, she proves authenticity beats perfection every time.
Her business approach is refreshingly simple: show your process, admit your struggles, and let people see the real humans behind your brand. Stop waiting for everything to be perfect before sharing your journey—your struggles might be someone else’s inspiration.
Maricar Peñalosa, Founder of Ate Rica’s Bacsilog
Maricar Peñalosa started Ate Rica’s Bacsilog with just ₱500 and a tiny food stall, eventually growing a multi-branch empire while keeping prices affordable. She cracked a code that makes so many brands stumble: making budget-conscious feel aspirational rather than cheap.
Maricar transformed practical money-saving tips into content gold, breaking down exactly how she maintains quality while keeping prices low. This transparency makes her community trust her completely. She treats customers like future business partners, not just transaction sources, creating content that actively helps her audience start their own ventures.
Starting small is nothing to be ashamed of— own it, use its ease of access as an edge, and help your community level up alongside you!
Anna Magalona, Founder of But First, Coffee
Anna Magalona created But First, Coffee with an expressed support for Filipino coffee farmers for high-quality local beans, turning every cup into a big contribution in the empowerment of local agriculture.
Instead of competing on convenience or price, she made her coffee about something bigger. Through social media, Anna shares content about coffee, entrepreneurship, and Filipino coffee culture; this features educational posts, behind-the-scenes looks, and stories about local coffee.
She’s turned cultural storytelling into a competitive advantage, making her business about serving drinks while using the platform to preserve Filipino culture. Find a cause you genuinely care about and weave it into your business model—when customers feel they’re part of something meaningful, they become advocates and not just mere buyers.
Glenda Victorio, Founder of Brilliant Skin
While some beauty brands were offering one-size-fits-all solutions, Glenda Victorio built Brilliant Skin Essentials by focusing on creating products that address specific Filipino skin concerns—from oiliness and acne to sun exposure damage.
Her approach centers on authentic representation, as she often features before-and-after testimonials from customers. This transparency created a loyal community who believes in her products because they can see actual results from people just like them.
She’s also known for being a young, self-made entrepreneur in a competitive industry. Beginning as an online reseller of various products to make ends meet, she eventually turned into an industry leader just from her own innovations. A key takeaway that we can all learn from her: never be afraid to start!
Angela Chen-Delantar, Founder of Eskwelabs
Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Angela Chen-Delantar launched Eskwelabs to help thousands of Filipinos (especially women) learn analytics and data science through engaging, accessible courses. In a world where tech education feels intimidating and exclusive, she made it approachable.
Angela’s superpower is simplifying complex concepts without dumbing them down, breaking intimidating subjects into practical lessons people can immediately apply to their lives. Her focus on accessibility means removing barriers, may it be financial, cultural, or educational, that traditionally keep people out of tech.
She connects new concepts to familiar Filipino examples, making advanced technology relevant to everyday experiences. If you’re an expert in something complex, your biggest opportunity might be in making it accessible to beginners—good teaching is a superpower in any industry.
Andrea Brillantes, Founder of Lucky Beauty
At just 21, actress Andrea Brillantes built Lucky Beauty with her passion for beauty, with a tagline of “Make-up is a wearable lucky charm”. She turns her congenital anosmia (inability to smell) into a unique competitive advantage, creating cosmetics that focus on visual appeal and texture. Not only that, she did not let this disability get in the way of expanding her business, as she also launched Lucky Potions in 2024.
Most people would see her condition as a limitation for a beauty entrepreneur, Andrea saw it as a different perspective that could create something genuinely unique in a crowded market. Her vulnerability in discussing personal challenges creates genuine connections with her audience.
She’s also mastered cross-generational appeal, creating different content for different platforms while maintaining authenticity. Your unique perspective—including any challenges you face—might be your greatest business asset. Don’t hide what makes you different, leverage it.
Kathryn Bernardo, Founder of KathNails and Isla Amara
You know Kathryn Bernardo from the big screen, but have you seen her business magic? Instead of just smiling for endorsement photos (which would’ve been the easy route!), she rolled up her sleeves to build KathNails and the gorgeous eco-boutique hotel Isla Amara. Instead of slapping her name on products for quick cash, she created legitimate businesses that stand on their own merit.
Kathryn documents the real business-building process: the ups, downs, and everything in between. Her innovation in creating accessible investment opportunities shows how to let your community participate in your success. She prioritizes sustainable practices that benefit her community and environment, showing all of us that making money and making a difference can happen at the same time.
Kathryn’s approach is such a good reminder that whatever platform you have—whether it’s 20 million followers or just your circle of friends—you can use it to create something that truly helps others.
FAQ for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
How do I find my unique angle in a crowded market?
Look at what existing businesses in your industry are NOT doing. Often, the biggest opportunities lie in serving underrepresented communities or addressing overlooked needs. Chen-Delantar focusing on simplifying complex ideas, or Brillantes approaching beauty from a different sensory perspective.
How do I build trust as a new brand?
Be transparent about your process, admit when you don’t know something, and consistently deliver on your promises. Share your failures and what you learned from them. Authenticity builds trust faster than perfection.
Should I collaborate with other entrepreneurs?
Absolutely. Look for entrepreneurs who share your values but serve different aspects of your target market. Collaborations can help you reach new audiences and create unique offerings that benefit both businesses.
How do I stay motivated during challenging times?
Connect with your deeper purpose for starting your business. All entrepreneurs face setbacks, but it’s important to stay focused on the positive impact you want to create. Having a mission beyond profit helps you persevere through difficult periods.
What’s the most important mindset for entrepreneurial success?
Embrace being a beginner and commit to continuous learning. Every challenge is an opportunity to improve your business and better serve your customers. Also, remember that sustainable success takes time—focus on building something lasting rather than seeking quick wins.
The women entrepreneurs that are currently reshaping Filipino business in 2025 represent a new breed of influencer—one whose content drives not just engagement but actual business impact.
It’s always a big risk, but the entrepreneurial journey isn’t about having everything figured out on day one. It’s about starting with what you have, solving problems you understand, and staying true to your values along the way.
M2.0 Communications is a Public Relations Firm that specializes in business, technology, and lifestyle communication. We offer a range of PR services including crisis communications, media relations, stakeholder management, influencer marketing, and video production. Learn more about our work on our case studies page.
