Actress Kiray Celis has just added another feat to her list of accomplishments.
She has now become a thriving entrepreneur.
On Monday, January 27, 2025, Kiray officially launched her range of drink supplements: Hello Bloom Juice, Day-li Supplements, and Hot Babe Coffee.
The latter is a slimming dietary supplement designed to aid in weight loss, and it's a product that the former child star personally uses and endorses.
During the launch event, Kiray proudly announced that she and her team had already reached a total sales of PHP8.3 million in just six months.
"Hindi pa po tayo nagga-grand launch pero ito na po yung total sales natin from online," Kiray told members of the press.
Kiray embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in early 2024.
This move was largely influenced by her success as a livestream seller and the encouragement from her boyfriend, Stephan Estopia.
Kiray shared, "Yung boyfriend ko, nagkaroon siya ng idea... na sabi niya, yung ibang product nga nabibenta mo, hindi ikaw yung may-ari niyan.
"Paano kung ikaw po yung may-ari?'"
Alongside her boyfriend's encouragement, Kiray drew inspiration from her "second mom," Vice Ganda—a successful entertainer and entrepreneur.
Kiray told the press, "Isa yun sa mga talagang tinitignan ko na someday, gusto ko... hindi maging kagaya ni Mama ,pero gusto ko gawin yung mga nagawa niy.
"Kasi tama yung mga nagawa niya, e. And alam natin, si Mama Vice, alam natin kung gaano niya kamahal ang mama niya. Ganun din ako."
KIRAY CELIS: LIVE-SELLING JOURNEY
Kiray shared the story of her live-selling journey, which ignited her ambition to start her own business.
The 29-year-old actress revealed that this venture began during the pandemic when she started promoting food and products on social media.
Instead of accepting payment for these promotions, Kiray opted for ex-deals, receiving products in exchange to support her family.
This led to a live-stream selling opportunity, allowing her to earn more.
She recalled, "Dumating po sa point na may nag-message akin para i-invite ako, parang mag-live. Sa trabaho ko kasi, sa taping ko, minuto lang yung eksena, e, three minutes. Matagal na yung limang minuto na nagli-linya ka.
"[Dito] three hours dere-derecho, magla-live ako. Kahit madaldal ako, pero inisip ko po parang, 'Hindi ko naman kilala yung mga products na ito, paano ko siya mabibenta? And mabibenta ko ba talaga to?' Ganyan.
"Pero trinay ko kasi nga po, di ba, ganito naman sa artista, no. Pag nauso yung vlog, 'O, sige vlog naman tayo.' Pag nauso yung live-selling, 'Ah, sige mag-live-selling naman ako, try ko naman.'"
Ignoring the negative comments about her ex-deals, Kiray stayed focused on her goals, which paid off.
Kiray revealed that she achieved one million pesos in sales during her first live-selling event.
"Noong unang live-selling ko, nagulat po ako, naka-one million ako... Ang nakakatawa po doon, two hours and 55 minutes, parang nakaka-300,000 [pesos] pa lang ako.
"Tapos sa limang minuto bago ako matapos, biglang umangat yung GMV [Gross Merchandise Value] ko.
"Sabi ko, 'Hala, paano nangyari yun? Totoo ba iyan?' Sabi ko doon sa pinagla-live-an ko. Hanggang sa umulit ako kasi sabi ko baka tsamba lang.
"Natakot ako kasi sabi ko, 'Baka parang, baka jino-joke lang ako ni Lord. Baka hindi talaga tio sa galing ko. Baka, baka wala lang. Isang beses lang talaga.'
"Hanggang sa paulit-ulit po nag-live ako, nag-mi-million na po. Parang medyo natuwa po ako. "
KIRAY CELIS: NEW GOALS
Since last year, Kiray has been busy with her new business venture.
With her entrepreneurial success, many are curious if she's planning to leave showbiz.
Kiray answered, "I think dumating na po ako sa time na parang nagawa ko na po lahat ng roles, feeling ko. Parang napuntahan ko na lahat ng call time, lahat ng malayong location, malapit, napuntahan ko na po.
"Ang sinasabi ko po sa inyo, yung pag-aartista ko po kasi, hindi ko siya pangarap. Ginawa ko yun para makatulong sa family ko. And natulungan ko na sila.
"And I think, sa nakikita niyo po sa nangyayari dito sa Hello Bloom and Hot Babe, baka ito talaga ako."
Kiray next goal is to provide her siblings with their own homes.
This ambition grew even more meaningful when Kiray took on the role of mother to her two nieces and nephews following the passing of their mother, Kiray's sister-in-law, last year.
She said, "Gusto ko, lahat ng kapatid ko may sari-sariling bahay. Yun pa rin talaga yung plano, e, noh? Siyempre may mga pamangkin na rin po ako, e."
"Since wala akong anak, mga pamangkin ko po yung insipid ko. And last year, nawalan po ako ng sister-in-law.
"So may naiwan po akong dalawang pamangkin na ako na yung naging nanay.
"So ngayon po, ako po yung nagpapaaral sa kanila and sa akin po sila nakatira so mas marami po kong responsibilidad."
Although Kiray intends to concentrate on her business, she remains open to taking on projects that won't require too much of her time.
"Hindi ko naman iiwan, nandun pa rin ako. Nakakatuwa nga na kahít wala akong ginagawa ngayon, nakikilala pa rin ako ng mga tao.
"And natutuwa nga po ako kasi kaya sila bumibili kasi kirala nila ako as Kiray, di ba? And yun, healthier me and family time naman this year."
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