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By Johanna M. Sampan, Reporter
It was built with love, inspiration and courage,
the F Salon & Body Spa. It started in a small corner of San Juan
in 2001, a dream project of Florisa Mariano with the help of her
husband. “After saving the income of the first branch for six
months, I was able to open the second branch in Boni Ave., then
again in less than six months, I opened the Karangalan outlet,”
Mariano narrates her inspiring story. Sensing the dynamic momentum,
she bravely launched another branch in España Ave. three months
after the Karangalan outlet was inaugurated.
To date, Mariano has 425 employees working in
152 branches of F Salon & Body Spa all over the Philippines. In
addition to these company-owned outlets are 23 franchise branches.
“My main goal is to pamper mothers and students without them
having to spend much,” Mariano points out, adding, “I’m proud
to say that from the day I opened the salon, I didn’t raise the
cost of any of our services.” A regular haircut with shampoo and
blow-dry at F Salon remains at P39.95.
Her training as a registered nurse came in handy
for Mariano whenever she’s tackling the technical aspect of her
business. To be abreast with the current standards of salon
business, she had her training in the best skin care centers and
dermatologists in Hong Kong.
“I really exerted effort on perfecting
the methods of facial treatment. In this line of work, you also need
knowledge in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and the effects of
medicine in the body,” Mariano explains.
Mariano with her three bubbly kids seems to have
a perfect life, but tragedy struck on December 2003 when she found
her husband dead, lying beside her. “We were married for 10 years
but since we’re together since college days, I will put the number
at 15 years,” she laments, her sadness evident.
Armed with her faith in God, Mariano decided to
continue her business after mourning for her husband. “I know that
there is a purpose for everything, and God has prepared me very well
to face whatever comes my way. I derived my courage from the things
that my husband taught me,” she says, continuing, “I also want
to be a living testimony to other widows. It was a painful loss but
with God’s help, I want to show them that one can become stronger
and independent.”
Despite her exemplary achievements at age 35,
Mariano still attributes her success to God. In addition to her big
faith, she proudly admits that she’s still clinging to the
time-tested formula of hard work and perseverance.
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