EmpressMe.

How to be Invincible

2012-02-01T01:26:00.000-08:00

I felt like I've isolated myself for a whole month building the next stage of the empire. I haven't had time to go out, meet friends and relax. But this isolation definitely led to wonderful things. I'm now in talks with major shopping malls and looking into neighboring countries for Sly Boutique's flagship store and outlets. Also, simultaneously choosing and screening fashion design and production companies to launch the Fall/Winter 2012 and flagship store. Very close to closing major business deals and met many amazing people. So I'm happy!

At this moment, I feel like I'm living the perfect life. I have the man I love and who loves me like no other, I have a family who is always there for me and gives me the freedom I need to achieve my dreams, a best friend who loves me unconditionally and makes me feel the best always, and business partners and associates who continuously believe in me and my brand.

And so for this post I want to share to you things I learned the past years, so you too can live the life of an Empress and be truly happy, successful and invincible.

Business in General & the Fashion Industry

Choose the right partners. Get a partner who has something (other than money) to put into the table - unique set of skills, connections in the industry, and has excellent character. Don't partner just because you like each other or he/she is a relative - this will never be enough in business. It takes serious work, dedication, focus, and expertise in different field to get to the top.
Research the industry you want to get into. The more you know, the more power you get.
Screen fashion designers well. Don't hire them because they sketch nice. Hire them because they walk the talk. I met many fashion designers who has great vision but when it comes to getting it done, they get lost in their creative world. So you want to get the balance of great design and execution.
Outsource everything you can't do. Never build your own production house because you have the money nor you like the feeling of controlling things. If you're a newbie, it's the path to disaster. Pour all your energy in something you know.
Look at your cash flow. Without proper financing, business stops. If you don't know cashflow, get a partner who understands this, but you need to learn it too so you can make decisions faster.
Be open-minded. Allow business deals from other industries along the way. Even if you are a fashion designer, it doesn't mean you're stuck at designing clothes and can't close deals - you could be the next Donald Trump - so don't close any opportunities!

Business Deals

Know who you're dealing with. Never be fooled by appearance, status or perfect communication skills.
Don't jump into any deals because it sounds good. There are different levels of deal-makers and scammers. Be very sensitive to each type.
Ask someone very successful - preferably a taipan or someone who is working with that level - if you're unfamiliar with the deal. Some people are out there making money out of ignorant people. Watch your back and take small steps at a time.
Scams are endless. But the longer your patience, the more you will learn, and the more the probability you'll close a deal.
Organize your stuff. It will organize your thoughts too and find solutions!
Again, when people say "you can't", do it anyway - because there's nothing more excruciating than seeing other people's success. Make them envy you.
Choose the hardest task always. So that everything else feels miniscule.
Learn people's body language. Every move means something - they could be lying in your face! Listen carefully and don't be gullible. I picked up some cool tricks of reading people from tv series 'Lie To Me', check it out.
Don't be greedy. Many deals don't happen because of greed. Take what you feel is right and fair then turn to next project. Don't get stuck discussing and counting commissions before the deal happens.

Beauty, Image & Health

Prioritize. Know what's important to your business and relationships. Don't be held up by emotions. Eat your pride and go for the goal.
Choose friends. You're not being a b*tch, you just want to protect your future, your business and your life. Success breeds success. You want to go to the top, hang out with millionaires if you can't find billionaires.
Be careful what you say on your Facebook status. Whatever you say there reflects on who you are.
Stay away from public fights. It's ugly and cheap. I've been friends with people who loves getting into fights and causing unnecessary scene. With exceptions though - when someone is messing your business, don't hesitate to get your point across.
Know when to stop. When stressed out, stop what you're doing and take deep breaths. Sleep and meditate.

Love & Family

Communicate. Do everything you can to communicate but at the right time and place. Never be in a relationship where it's one-way. If your partner can't communicate then he/she probably is not the right one for you.
Love like it's the end of the world. Cook for him, adore him and give him kisses when least expected. If he doesn't return the love, rethink the relationship.
Don't be selfish and self-centered, admit your mistakes and find ways to solve your problems and revive the love. Relationships are never easy. Like I always say, it's like opening a business - you have to manage it, nurture it and make it as strong as you can to be successful.
If he/she is cheating, leave him and start all over again. Once they did it, they can do it again. So save yourself time and find that lucky charm.
When you feel down, go to your family, they'll give you the energy you needed and they'll accept you no matter what. If you're not in good terms with family, reconcile. You feel feel much better without the heavy baggage.
Respect your parents and your grandparents. They always want the best from you. Even if they sound repetitive and annoying because they get into your business, smile and think it's their way of showing their love. So make sure you hug them and kiss them and thank them whenever you can.
Forgive. Because if you don't, you will never be truly happy and feel successful. You will be dragged and you will drag everyone around you to your misery. You always want to be that vibrant, beautiful and successful girl everyone wants to be.

The Empower Network

2011-11-26T01:00:00.000-08:00

I'm constantly in search of new ideas and new products for my company Sly Empire Inc., constantly scouring the net, my connections in the industry for trends. And recently I found an amazing business I can add on to my growing empire. The beauty of this is that ANYONE can do this.

You don't need to be a serial entrepreneur to launch this online business.

You don't need to be a savvy computer programmer to create this.

You don't need to be a celebrity to be successful on this.

The only thing you need to do after setting it up and a little training is tell your friends about it and blog about what you think about it - just like what I'm doing now. Everything in the business is automated, no need to figure out the product you will sell, no hassle figuring out the system.You just follow the link below, set up and a merchant account and voila! - you got an instant online business! After the setup, all you got to do is tell the world about it.

Why do I think YOU can do this easily and don't suggest a traditional business? Here's why:

1. In a traditional business, you have to have a business plan, which can take you a month (shortest) to a year writing the plan - and if you can't write and don't have the business skills, it will cost you to pay someone to write it. If you got no dough, it's even longer.

The Empower Network is already setup for you. In one click, you instantly become the entrepreneur you want to be!

2. In a traditional business, you have to create a brand to be successful. To create one, you need to be creative, stylish, and in tune with what's going on in the competitive business world. What if you're a housewife with kids and have no time to figure out the what branding is about? What if you're already in your prime and don't have the time to start from scratch, compete with the younger crowd who is more creative than you? Designing this brand which includes - logo, business card, brochure, website can cost you a lot and your precious time.

The Empower Network is already branded, website is done and don't need crazy amount of capital to start one. You'll be shocked when you find out that this will cost you almost nothing to become your own entrepreneur.

3. In a traditional business, you have to get the right team of people to win the business game. And once you hire the right people (which will take you longer because you got not connections yet), you need to keep them happy. For an inexperienced entrepreneur, this won't only cost you money, but you can get burnt out because of the overwhelming work you need to do.

The Empower Network is not only automated, you will leverage on experienced online serial entrepreneur who made their money. No headache on trying to find the best staff and managing them.

Now, you ask me, I already have a company, why do this? Because I saw a business opportunity that doesn't require so much money and effort plus I can share this business opportunity to anyone in the world and change their lives. Business is all about the bottom line - if you're not too skilled to put up a business, you will have to answer to your investors or lose your hard earned money. I spent a few millions on my brand already and made many mistakes. But not everyone can go through the same without losing their sanity.

I know it's hard and not everyone has the same skills I have, connections and mentors needed to launch a business. Being a celebrity model is also a huge leverage. Not everyone is a celebrity, not everyone can compete to established businesses. The main reason of building this brand empire to make a statement. Many just needs to survive. Some just want an easy going life, just enough to live and hope that some luck will also give them a better life, maybe some bonuses will give their families a vacation they want and education their kids need. Not everyone has the luxury to have these things. But many want financial freedom, because life is hard these days and getting harder everyday. Well this is your lucky day. In one click, your life can change. And if that happens, I'll be the happiest in the world because I helped you live the life you always wanted.

Build the life you want now.

Kim Kardashian's 72 Day Marriage: PR Genius or PR Bomb?

2011-11-22T08:33:00.000-08:00

If you know the Kardashian brand, you know how clever Kim Kardashian was spun into a multi-miilion brand name that everyone in the world is hooked on. Just like Paris Hilton, KK got famous because of a sex tape scandal and exploded into Hollywood through a reality tv show "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" then built a multi-million empire with endorsements, fragrances, and clothing line, really kashing in big time as a brilliant pr machine.

But recently, the Kardashian Klan is said to be krumbling because of her short-lived marriage - divorcing after only 72 days of marriage, putting her and her family's rising empire at an uncomfortable risk.

PR Genius or PR Bomb?

Well, it's a PR Genius because now, everyone in the world is hooked more than ever to the family, everyone is curious how they can surpass the intense media attention - will they survive the cut-throat showbusiness or will it vanish and be synonymous to the saying "Hollywood eats you up and spit you out fast"?

The PR Bomb of this whole incident is the fact that marriage was only 72 days and denying of her $18,000,000 profit from the wedding - debate is still on if she really profited or not - ignited fury among viewers who created petitions to boycott the show, including the media thinking its all a sham:

http://boycottkim.com/

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/no-more-kardashian.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/omg/kim-kardashian-worth-thought-a-72-day-marriage-stunt-media-boycott-coverage-article-1.970986

http://www.tmz.com/2011/11/02/kardashian-divorce-bs-wedding/#.Tsk_prLDS5M

I like KK, I think she is an awesome entrepreneur, almost surpassing Paris Hilton's, the original PR darling of sex tape scandal to worldwide serial brand. And I only wish her well, that she can go beyond this because she worked hard to get to where she is. I think that many people envy her success thus any mistake they see is blown up into proportion to her bring her down. I don't think that she is that evil manipulate everything and marry because of money - she has money already plus if she continued the marriage she'd probably profit more from exclusive photos of her baby 'twins' for for the gossip magazines. But she decided to end it.

I think that it's great to see most of her sponsors still supporting her. Those who turned their against her just shows that world does revolve around money - the bottom line is business. They forget that even the stars make mistakes, they're not perfect. It's crazy how much people support you and want to be your friends when you're up there...you see real friends when you got nothing. I'm sure KK will learn so much from this and will be wiser. And I salute the family especially madam Kris Jenner who is an amazing mother and great manager who works hard for her family's success. People really have have to take it easy on them and think before judging them. They make many people in the world happy with their entertaining lives and we have to have to grateful for interesting people like them.

Love is never easy. It's like putting up a business - you don't launch it and sit there wishing it's gonna work. It takes dedication, time, effort, understanding and eating your ego to build a long lasting relationship. But you do this for the right person. I'd definitely cut the crap fast if I find out my guy is cheating on me or abusing me. We all made mistakes in relationships - and some of us keep on repeating the mistakes, falling for the wrong guy because we, women want that fairy tale wedding just like Kimmy's and never really try to evaluate long if this is right for us.

And I think this is exactly what happened to her - she fell hard fast and she probably thought that it's a real bonus she can show the world her love for the guy. I'm sure she is devastated and emabarassed that she has to answer to media and fans around the world. I could definitely relate to this because I made the same mistake in the past by committing into engagement only after a few weeks - he turned out to have bad taste of lifestyle, low IQ/EQ and very abusive. Although I stayed longer than I should have, I wished I ended it faster because I put my life at risk.

There's nothing wrong by being ambitious and putting your dreams first, and loving yourself first before any guy. I think that it's important to know how to love yourself before you start a family so you can give your all. The Kardashian family definitely have so much love for each other and is in itself a PR Genius, if they continue supporting each other, no Hollywood can break a strong, outrageous brand.

I wish you well KK, and see you soon in Hollywood!

Detour: Ultimate Party Girl to Serial Entrepreneur

2011-10-29T05:08:00.000-07:00

I was partying so much I was called "Ultimate Party Girl" by a hip lifestyle magazine and I thought this was cool. And cooler that you get invited to these ultra-exclusive velvet roped events, and you think you're "IT" and people put you on a pedestal thinking you're somebody important, or what they call "VVIP." That was really nice to hear, it felt good, it felt like you're the shit. But the problem with this is that you get hooked to this lifestyle and you think that that's really it, that "you're there." Then you get a magazine cover for just being famous in the scene, event pages and even get discovered by modeling agencies. But as I grew up I realized that constant partying leads you to more parties, more exclusive VIP rooms, By-Invitation house parties and get you nowhere. I know that at the end of the night most of us go home to our real lives, lives that we try to escape from. As for me, I was escaping from my own nightmares.

Only until recently, I realized I was escaping from poverty, from becoming part of that race, I didn't want to be seen as "poor." I wanted the limelight, the recognition, the mention of Avi Siwa on every event, I wanted everyone to know me - that I'm the coolest person you'll meet. I loved the controversy, the scandals, I came out in a TV show called "OUT" to make this point clear - that I don't give a shit about anybody and no one can stop me from doing anything I please to do, that it's cool to be me. Not my parents, not my boyfriend, nobody is on top of me. It makes me sick thinking how that instant stardom - being the country's sudden gay icon has blown up my ego. That was dumb. The blinging lifestyle and billboards defocused me. Like Robin Sharma says "Nothing fails like success."

One morning, after a long weekend of crazy partying, I heard a voice. It said "I thought you want it that bad?" It shook me to my core. I got up from the couch where I was living for months and went back home to my family. I changed. From the scandalous Ultimate Party Girl that everyone knew to becoming unstoppable Serial Entrepreneur. I took the reigns to get my life together and started building Sly.

Finding My True Identity

2011-06-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

"The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself." Mark Caine

The quote above takes me back to many stages in my life when I asked myself – can I really do it, having this challenging situation, this environment, being who I am and with little resources I have? Just like you, I was in doubt in many different occasions. I experienced hardships, failures and many trials that could have jeopardized my dreams. But instead, I took it all as opportunities to grow, see it as blessings and tests to make me a stronger entrepreneur.

Growing up in two, very distinct families could have stopped me from becoming who I am now - but it didn't, it pushed me to be extraordinary. Flaunting nationwide that bisexuality should be accepted and offended the conservatives, could have weakened me - but it just gave me hope and stronger desire to share a vision. Experiencing physical and emotional abuse from someone close to me, could have shattered me and made me feel like a victim - but this just gave me wisdom and new perspective of life. Having nothing and starting from zero, could have made me throw my dreams away and become a nobody - but it only gave me much more leverage to go for it. Hearing some so-called friends try to ruin my name could have broken me - but I only saw truth and deepened my empathy towards them. Reading false stories about me could have made me fold - but it just gave me the will to be a better person. Failed deals and businesses could have left an ugly mark on me - but it only gave me the real meaning of life and what's really important to me.

These situations built my true identity.

It honed my skills, my values and perception of life. It made me a better daughter, granddaughter, sister and lover. It made value life in a different way. It made me understand people, their wants and needs. It made me see the world through the eyes of many different people.

It made me unstoppable.

It gave me life, power and wisdom.

It made me Sly.

Inception of Sly

2011-06-25T04:32:00.000-07:00

Sly.

adj. artfully cunning, clever in attaining an end

A day in Sly Empire

Sly Boutique: checking Fall/Winter 2011 samples production, talks on strategy, pitching to retail stores for consignment and talks on a flagship store
Wine: Just bottled 6,000 bottles, finalizing label and tasting with distributors
Sly Empire Reality Tv Show: Editing pilot episode, solidifying characters, and studying which network we should pitch it to
Sly Empire Development Corp: locking down high-end real estate developments, selling hectares of land to international buyers and hiring/screening key brokers
School of Seduction: finalizing training materials and merchandise with partner Yamani Ongpauco
Modeling Agency: finding power bookers, screening fresh Asian models
Deals: Connecting a call center to local clients, finding buyers for businesses for sale, finding investors for start-up companies

Inception of Sly

My fascination with building an empire was shaped as early as 6 years old. Instead of dolls, I played with the idea of reigning a palace with a big garden of roses, elephants, tigers and snakes as pets, a throne made of gold, and a multi-jewel encrusted crown and septor. Alice in Wonderland, Labyrinth, and Never Ending Story were movies that took me to a place that built the idea of a grandiose royal kingdom.

So in my real world, I kind of - reigned.

Grade Three – Won my first crown as Ms. Talent in Holy Child Academy
Grade Six – Won Ms. Sto. Nino crown, trophy as Valedictorian & Best Girl Scout in Sto. Nino De Novaliches School
2^nd Year High School – Won 1^st runner up Ms. Siena & Ms. Talent crowns
3^rd Year High Schoo – Won Ms. United Nations crown
4^th Year High School – Won Ms. St. James College crown
First Year College – Won 1^st Runner Up Ms. Education in UST (University of Sto. Tomas) crown
3^rd Year College – Won Ms. AMA Computer College crown
And in several occasions, class president and top of the class

But I realized winning crowns was not the way to build an empire. I gave up the crowning glory of winning these pageants, and gave up my ultimate goal of becoming a Bb. Pilipinas – the holy grail of crowns. I dropped out of school, and with my small inheritance, I built my first venture - H&H Martini Bar. The real empire-building begins...

Next post, "Finding My True Identity."

Sly Empire

2011-06-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

I’ve always been fascinated with the stories of how empires were built, how these rulers masterfully conquered the world. I’m seduced by how Cleopatra’s wit & charm gave her power over Egypt and the world until today.

I'm also equally dazzled by 21^st century power brands led by amazing entrepreneurs who built their world from scratch - Richard Branson & his fast expansion of the Virgin brand; real estate magnate Donald Trump & his many developments, books & tv show; talk show queen Oprah saving millions of people to building her billions;

Martha Stewart’s basement catering business to multi-million conglomerate; the emperor of cool Sam Nazarian's deck of high concept Philippe Starck bars, hotels & casino; Steve Job’s rebranding of the Apple into the most coveted brand; the social networking king Mark Zuckerberg becoming the youngest billionaire in the world who sparked his empire from Harvard dormitory room;

Howard Hughes, an industrialist who relentlessly perfected aviation, first man to travel the world in 3 days and producing films; and my favorite, our own, Mr. Henry Sy, no. 1 billionaire in the Philippines, who started from nothing to becoming a super tycoon in Asia.

This fascination and curiosity led me to building my own empire, Sly Empire. It's been five years since its conception in 2006 and it's been quite a ride. Now, I'm sharing to you my dear readers what it takes to get to the top through this blog, EmpressMe.

For now, sip your wine, relax and enjoy a short clip of my reality show teaser above.