As moms, many of us have had to put some of our goals and dreams on hold to care for our littles in their tender years. Some of us probably have an entrepreneurial streak and have been itching to finally turn our passions or hobbies into a fulfilling business.
Whatever’s been stopping you or causing you to hesitate, perhaps these mompreneur stories will help add insight to your deliberations and preparations. We had the chance to speak to 7 moms who took the leap of faith and started their own business; and are finding fulfillment in navigating the intersection of and tension between motherhood and entrepreneurship.
Read on to learn more about their journeys!
Mommy Sarah Abalos-Mogol is the woman behind Saring, a newly-launched line of beautifully-crafted, locally-made handbags fit for different occasions.
“The concept actually came from my husband. He wanted to work with Filipino craftsmen and really promote our Filipino heritage,” she shares. “He took care of sourcing the materials and the finance side while I did the sales and marketing of the brand.”
Running a business taught Mommy Sarah patience, resilience, and adaptability, qualities that she carries into motherhood every single day. It has helped her become more organized and intentional with her time, allowing her to be fully present with her family while also pursuing her passion.
Mommy Sarah admits that the downside of being an entrepreneur is that you don’t really have an “off” switch. “There’s always something on your mind—whether it’s planning, problem-solving, or making decisions—and it can be hard to fully disconnect. There are times when work requires my full attention, but I also want to be fully present for my child.”
That said, she lets daughter enter her “work” world to stay connected with her. “We brought her along to our first bazaar, and even playfully asked her to say, “bili na po” to people passing by. Shoppers found it adorable, and she seemed to really enjoy being there. I think she saw it as her own little playground, too.”
Mommy Ria Sales is a seasoned mompreneur, having launched her online clothing store RiO.ph in 2011.
“Working in a corporate job while raising kids was a lot to juggle, and I wanted to be more present for them without giving up on my dreams,” she says when it came to how she decided to become a mompreneur. “Starting an online business felt like the best way to combine my passions with the ability to work on my own terms.”
Being a mom became her strength in business, as it made her more empathetic and understanding, especially with customers who are fellow parents.
There are days when Mommy Ria feels overwhelmed. “Sometimes, I feel like I’m being pulled in a million different directions. But I’ve learned to prioritize and manage my time, and through it all, I’ve felt the strength and grace that God has provided me.”
Thankfully, her kids are more than willing to help – and they learn loads from it, too! “They love to help me pack orders and organize the stock, which makes them feel part of it all,” Mommy Ria reveals. “I’ll never forget the time my eldest started selling some of his own things, like his toys, after watching me. He used the money he earned to buy things he wanted. Seeing that entrepreneurial spark in him was so rewarding!”
Mommy Kaye Teopiz-Ang founded OMES Learning & Events, an events & consultancy business, out of a desire to return to her first love: training. Seven months into becoming a first-time mom, she found herself searching for resources, a supportive community, and more learning opportunities to help her navigate this new season.
“I started hosting workshops focused on motherhood and parenting. I quickly discovered that other parents were in the same boat, eager for connection and learning,” Mommy Kaye shares.
And according to her, this leap of faith enriched not just her motherhood, but her overall personhood. “It deepened my appreciation for people, for life itself, and has strengthened my relationship with the Lord. It has taught me resilience in ways I never imagined, expanded my patience for people and circumstances, and nurtured a sense of gratitude for blessings—big or small.”
This is not to say that her journey came with no struggles. She admits to struggling with mom guilt at times: “The reality of trying to balance it all is often the hardest part. This is where the familiar ‘mom guilt’ often creeps in—the feeling that we’re doing well in one area while missing out on special moments and opportunities in another.”
Over time, she learned that perfect balance may not be achievable, but striving for a life that feels well-integrated across different areas is possible.
One way she integrates her work and family life is exposing her kids to her business. “My eldest helps out in workshops and events. She sees me speak to people, run trainings, join some meetings, and overall witness the work that I do.”
She reflects, “I have many memories of bringing her along to meetings when we didn’t have a yaya. Those moments were challenging but also incredibly memorable, and I’d say they were fun for us both.”
Mommy Nica Topacio founded Onna-Musha, a clothing shop focused on cover-ups for different occasions.
She has always felt that she was born to be an entrepreneur. “I started selling ice candy at 8 years old. I would get up early every Saturday morning to help with the preparations. With the help of my mom, we would pack them one by one and I would sell them at home. Even during college, I would already join Christmas bazaars,” she shares.
Being a mompreneur, according to Mommy Nica, “gave me direction. My priorities in life became very clear. The sense of fulfillment that I get when I can provide for my child is immeasurable.”
However, time management when you’re an entrepreneur and a mom can be challenging. “There are days when I’m so tired and I just want to lay in bed. Usually, when I get home, I still have to manage our household, tutor my daughter, and read her a bedtime story at peak energy! But then, I remember why I’m doing this and who it’s for and all the stress magically disappears,” she says.
Having her daughter join her at work is also a source of joy. “I would bring my daughter to exhibits and bazaars. She would play around the stalls and even talk with our customers,” Mommy Nica says. “I would also bring her with me to visit my fabric supplier. I want to let her know and understand that this is my line of work.”
Partyboosters Events is the brainchild of Mommy Jacque Tan, whose background is actually in pharmaceuticals. For her, motherhood was what led her into the world of entrepreneurship.
“While planning for my baby’s first birthday, I realized that it was so hard to source out good suppliers. I also realized that I could do all the planning and decorating myself,” she recalls. “So I enrolled myself in a balloon decorating workshop and learned the craft, and the rest is history.”
Running a business allows Mommy Jacque to be more flexible with her time, which enriches her motherhood. She can decide which events fit her bandwidth, being a mom first.
It also gave her stronger insight into what her clients are looking for. “Being a mom allowed me to know what’s trending in family events, which helped me organize fun and stress-free parties. I met a lot of clients who turned into real friends, and seeing their families grow adds great pleasure to what I do,” she enthuses.
That said, she’s not exempt from the reality of working in the event industry. “Since our work days are usually weekends, I would sometimes miss out on pasyal time. Sometimes, my kids aren’t able to attend their friends’ parties because I’m not able to accompany them,” Mommy Jacque admits. “Thankfully, they’ve always been understanding and are assured that I always make up for lost time.”
It’s a good thing her love for creative things rubbed off on her kids, which created a new opportunity for them to bond. “My eldest would always help me with the crafts and she gets paid for it. My kids are also my first testers for the craft activities – they try the kits out and give honest feedback before we even launch it to the public,” Mommy Jacque shares.
Mommy Pam Pasagui set up food company 22 Pastil, which specializes in the iconic delicacy from Maguindanao: pastil, or shredded meat or fish and steamed rice, which are wrapped in banana leaves.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the process of canning food. I even watched vlogs by Pinoy moms abroad who would do it to preserve ingredients,” she says.
She initially shared samples of the product with her former colleagues and let them know that they could order if they liked it. To her surprise, on the same evening she sent that message, she received a list of orders, which validated her business concept.
Since setting up 22 Pastil, Mommy Pam has been enjoying managing her own time – something she didn’t get to do so much of as an employee. “Now, my kids wake up every morning seeing me prepare their needs, and I also get to drive them to school,” she shares. “Then while they are still in the school, that’s the time I get to focus on my business.”
Relatively new to the role of entrepreneur, she admits that she hasn’t gone full-blast with the business yet. “I’m still finding ways to prioritize motherhood while still being able to grow the business at a healthy pace and expanding my market. I’m being careful not to neglect my kids or miss their childhood.”
In the meantime, Mommy Pam involves her kids in doing simple tasks for the business. “During their summer break, I asked them to distribute flyers to our neighbors. When someone placed an order, they shouted excitedly from outside, “Mama, someone wants to order! We need to deliver it!” so I let them handle even the delivery.”
She adds, “They returned home with a Php100 tip and were overjoyed! It was fun seeing them learning new things and taking the initiative to interact with other people.”
Mommy Sigrid Sarmiento-Sayos owns Studio Morii, a quaint flower shop in Alfonso, Cavite that advocates sustainable floristry. Launched during the pandemic, this business stemmed from her natural love for nature and gardening.
“Whenever we’d have events or family gatherings at home, I’d always watch my grandmother and Tito do their floral arrangements and table settings. And when we opened our restaurant in Cavite, I would gladly do the centerpiece and vase arrangements,” she recalls.
And so during the lockdown, with plenty of time to research, she bought books, attended classes, and practiced everyday. She says, “I even included small bouquets with our food deliveries, and our customers loved it because it uplifted them during a difficult time!”
Being a mom made Mommy Sigrid a braver entrepreneur. “My kids gave me a higher purpose. I was so driven and focused with my goals. I learned to value my time and money. I also learned to balance my life. I know when it’s time for family, work or leisure.”
The hardest part of being a mompreneur, according to her, is dealing with mom guilt. “There’s the feeling that you have to be there for them all the time, especially in their younger years. I’ve had to figure out how that plays into my work rhythm as a business owner.”
While many mompreneurs choose to involve their kids in the business, Mommy Sigrid has chosen a somewhat different, yet equally meaningful route.
“Right now, at their age, I just want them to respect and appreciate nature just like me,” she muses. “I want them to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. I appreciate it when they observe me and ask questions while I work but I really don’t want to pressure them to involve them.”
She concludes, “Hopefully, when they see me happy at work, they’ll be inspired to pursue their own passions in the future; and when they see me tired from work, understand that you have to work hard if you want something.”