'Nabebenta Mo Talaga Yan?' This Mompreneur Grew Her Fashion Business From P3K To 6 Figures Monthly

This story is part of Smart Parenting's new advocacy, For Parents, By Parents, which aims to help newbie mompreneurs and dadpreneurs promote their products and services to our parenting communities. Do you have great products or services for moms, dads, or kids and need a bit of marketing push? Email us at smartparenting@summitmedia.com.ph with the subject, "For Parents, By Parents."

"One small win at a time."

This is the mantra of Mommy Jilianne Roylence Ramilo-Francia, 29, the mompreneur behind the local nursing wear brand, Valianne's Trends. 

"It all started when I got married in 2017 as a side hustle to my full-time teaching career. We wanted to save money for our desire to raise and build a family so I sold clothes for women." 

At that time, she was reselling ready-to-wear clothes from a supplier. She reveals, her starting capital then was P3,000, as the clothes were then available for pre-order.

"When I got pregnant the same year, I shifted the focus of the business from women's clothes in general to something specific and related to my current season - pregnancy and breastfeeding."

RELATED: Investing While Pregnant: Should You Do it?

Breastfeeding struggles

On her blog, Mommy Roylence shared that she had a hard time producing milk for her daughter QV. She delivered her baby via emergency Caesarean operation.

"When [my] baby's awake, I remember being so anxious, feeling nervous of baby's feeding time. So yes, during the first months, I had cracked, wounded and bleeding nipples."

But she didn't give up on breastfeeding, even if it caused her to suffer from a drastic weight loss. She lost 23 lbs. two weeks after giving birth. 

"My OB suggested that I could make the wounds heal first and pump milk instead. I chose to hand express to avoid over-supply and mastitis."

READ ALSO: Developing Mastitis Does Not Have To Be The End Of Breastfeeding: Here's What You Can Do

Finding her purpose

"While healing the wounds in my sore nipples, I kept reading articles on how to improve latching and breastfeeding. After two weeks (baby was already a month old then), I tried to sandwich-hold my huge breasts filled with milk, hoping it would be less painful and easier for baby to grasp. It worked!" 

Inspired by her breastfeeding journey, she found her purpose: to make pregnancy and breastfeeding a little bit easier for moms.

But Mommy Roylence told Smart Parenting that just like breastfeeding, building a business was not easy. 

"I had a series of hurdles as a mompreneur. Our business was rejected multiple times, but I tried my best not to take it personally," she said. But she took these setbacks as an inspiration to stand on her own, and build a purposive brand. 

Her greatest move: Become the first believer of her products.

"As I continue to improve the quality of our products, I became more confident about it, and I redirected those rejections and limitations to learning opportunities."

Mommy Roylence said she had no background in entrepreneurship. Prior to being a mom, she used to teach writing and literature to senior high school students. "I educated myself by attending trainings on how to continually improve our business. It's a lifetime pursuit."

READ ALSO: I Started My Online Business With Less Than P1,000: 5 Tips From Successful Mompreneurs

Progress with purpose

Now, Valianne's Trends is every Filipina mom's go-to shop for maternity and breastfeeding needs. From nursing wear, her business has expanded to selling educational toys for toddlers, Valiant Toddlers.

Having a crystal clear mission and purpose, her business did not only survive during the Covid-19 pandemic; it thrived.

Two of her businesses were born in 2020 and 2021. Together with her sister, they started Boobie Cookie lactation cookies, and Momma Cares postpartum care products.

From reselling RTW clothes, her business now employs five dressmakers, who are parents as well. Their headquarters is based in Bacoor, Cavite. When asked how much her business is earning, she said its up to six figures a month.

Her line of nursing wear is known for being comfortable and stylish, as these are made from child-friendly fabric, and with breastfeeding and pumping moms in mind.

6 Valianne’s Trends must-haves for new moms

1. Valianne's Trends - Aurora Nursing Dress

Buy it here.

2. Valianne's Trends Hera Shapewear Waist Trainer Tummy Control Underwear

Buy it here.

3. Valianne's Trends Annie Maternity/Nursing Blouses

Buy it here. 

4. Valianne's Trends - Bree Crisscross Seamless Nursing Breastfeeding Bra

Buy it here.

5. Momma Cares - Postpartum Anti-Hairfall Shampoo with Materni+ Technology 100 g 

Buy it here.

Made for moms, by a mom

On June 17, Valianne's Trends will be celebrating its 5th anniversary, themed Progress with Purpose. Smart Parenting's For Parents, By Parents is proud to be its media partner.

"Mommies should be confident that this brand is a brand especially made for moms by a mom. I personally know the challenges of a young and new mom so take it from my personal experience that the products we create are helpful for moms in their pregnancy and breastfeeding journey," Mommy Roylence said.

There will be a grand giveaway, and a Facebook live event, where they will celebrate with mom communities.

"The aim of our event is to acknowledge moms in their breastfeeding and postpartum stage and help them feel involved in a supportive community," she said.

'One small win at a time'

Mommy Roylence, who is also a member of the Smart Parenting Village, has this to share to aspiring mompreneurs who might feel rejected and alone in their journey.

"There is no such thing as "one time, big time," but there is such a thing as "one small win at a time" or "a good habit mastered at a time."

She adds, "It takes conscious effort to be truly successful in your chosen field. You have to wake up with a strong desire and pursuit for your passion because your whole family and other families who might someday rely on your business would be your driving force on why you do what you do."

"We have a lifetime to prove what Heavenly Father expects us to be as His child, so do the hard thing and pursue your dream," she said.

Follow Valianne's Trends on Facebook and Instagram for updates.