MANILA, Philippines - Pacita “Chit” Juan’s eyes glow as she speaks about ECHOstore, a concept store that sells products from small marginalized, cultural communities, foundations and women groups all over the country.
In an interview with The STAR on the sidelines of a global summit in New Delhi, India organized by United States-based Vital Voices Global Partnership, Juan proudly says that ECHOstore, formally known as ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle is now on its second year of operations.
“We’re now two years old!” Juan exclaims.
To celebrate their second year, Juan said ECHOstore (an acronym for Environment, Community, Hope and Organization), launches an eco-friendly home care product line for the home. “We try to launch something every year,” Juan says.
In its first year, ECHOstore launched a natural body care line called Body Basics, which promotes living naturally. A portion of the sales of the Echostore Body Basics continues to support women’s health advocacies, Juan says.
Now on its second anniversary celebration, ECHOstore launches a home cleaning product line called ECHOstore Home Basics.
ECHOstore’s home product has been carefully designed to be economical, effective and environment friendly and at the same time tough in eliminating germs and bacteria.
“There are absolutely no harsh chemicals, bleaches or toxins in these cleaning solutions,” says ECHOstore in a separate statement.
Products in this home cleaning product line include a dishwashing liquid, a travel-size surface cleaner, fruit and vegetable washes, room and linen sprays and a liquid laundry detergent.
Furthermore, ECHOstore said that each purchase of the Home Basics product supports the ECHOstore Hope Fund which helps environmental sustainability initiatives and promotes women’s health.
The products are available in a variety of scents such as Orange Cinnamon, Basil Ginger, Lavender Mint and Lemongrass.
Juan and two female friends – Jeannie Javelosa and Regina Francisco – are the women behind ECHOstore.
Juan says that all three of them share the same passion for the environment, living a healthy lifestyle, supporting women’s health and causes and helping different communities around the country.
It was Juan who saw that there was a need for such a store to help the different communities around the country.
“While I was working for coffee all these years, I saw all these women doing crafts and livelihood but they did not have outlets to sell their products,” says Juan, founder of Figaro Coffee Company.
As such, she and her friends decided to put up ECHOstore.
“So we have a lot of products. Some are from indigenous groups, women’s groups and different foundations,” she notes.
She says that she and her two partners, Regina and Jeannie agree that running the ECHOstore is something they would like to do for the rest of their lives.
“It is a lifestyle. It is a business we can retire in and age gracefully,” Juan says.
She is also excited about future plans including the opening of ECHO World.
“Next year, we’re going to open ECHO World. We’re going to get products from all over the world that are environment friendly. It’s also to give inspiration to our Filipino artisans to do things the natural way,” Juan says.
Indeed, Juan says, Echostore knows no boundaries and limits and that it would continue to echo as far as it can the passion and advocacies behind it.