Empowered: this is how vlogger and entrepreneur Anna Magkawas described herself as a businesswoman, mother, and social media personality.
Last month, the 35-year-old Luxe Beauty and Wellness CEO received two awards for her excellent performance in the business industry.
On June 22, Magkawas received the “Titanium Award for Exceptional Performance and Sales Achievement” for one of her brands, Luxe Slim. Two days after, the mother-of-three accepted the “Gawad Filipino Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year” by Euro TV Philippines Entertainment.
During the awarding ceremony, Magkawas dedicated such recognitions to the distributors and resellers who trusted her and her brands.
“Hindi ko ine-expect na may maglalakas loob na magtitiwala sa akin. Thank you talaga sa inyo dahil from the start nandyan kayo, hindi niyo ako iniwan, hanggang sa dumating tayo sa punto na ‘to. Hindi ko (lang) ‘to award, but award nating lahat, para sa inyo ‘to!”
Young go-getter
During her interview with Euro TV Philippines’ “Be The One,” hosted by Dhevy Sahagun, the mompreneur talks about her journey towards becoming one of the country’s empowered businesswomen.
According to Anna Magkawas, she is just a simple “probinsyana” from Tiaong, Quezon, who dreamed of having her own business and currently turning those dreams into reality.
At a very young age, Magkawas learned to be independent and hustled by selling chocolates and candies to her cousins and playmates. During summer breaks, she would often open a mini sari-sari store or help her grandmother sell “lugaw” (rice porridge) within the neighborhood.
From bag reviews to revenues
At the start of her career, Anna Magkawas is a name synonymous with a luxury bag guru. Her “fake vs. real” vlog entries earned her a ticket to fame in the YouTube world.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic opened more opportunities for her to explore the beauty and wellness industry. The girl boss admitted she was hesitant to take the risk and enter the skincare business venture at first.
But her fears turned into a big break when she became the testimony to her own products. Magkawas said she uses her items first and lets customers see the result.
“So yun ang naging selling point ko, yung sarili kong (experience sa product) mismo ang binenta ko sa tao. Ginamit ko yung product hanggang nakita ng tao na unti-unti kuminis yung muka ko.”
On July 25, her skincare brand will be celebrating its first anniversary in the business. Magkawas said she couldn’t be happier now that Luxe Skin and Luxe Slim are getting recognition in and outside the country.
“Masaya ako sa outcome, masaya ako sa kung ano man ang estado ng business ngayon dahil maraming nagtitiwala,, maraming gumagamit na (ng mga products) at happy naman ako sa feedback ng mga tao.”
Currently, her beauty and wellness products are available nationwide and in other countries, including the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Qatar, Dubai, Japan, Singapore, and more.
Giving back
Even though Luxe Beauty and Wellness is barely young, Anna Magkawas shared how the company was able to help not only her family but as well as her distributors.
“Natutuwa din ako dahil yung mag distributors natin na nagbebenta ng products na nagtiwala sa products ay malaki na rin yung naging ambag ng produktong ‘to sa kabuhayan nila ngayon,” Magkawas said, adding that some of her resellers were able to buy a delivery van and build a new house.
As per her corporate social responsibilities, the CEO makes sure to give back to the community by giving away school supplies and gifts during Christmas.
When VIYLine Media Group (VMG) asked for her message to aspiring business women, her only key points to remember are trust, training, and taking the risk.
“Magtiwala ka sa sarili mo, trust your instinct. Kung sa tingin mo medyo nalilito ka or meron kang hindi alam, pwede ka naman magtanong, pwede kang mag-research. Kesa naman magsisi ka kasi hindi mo sinubukan.”
