Rea Tanchoco:Accessorizing to the top

The classroom door swung open and a smiling, fair and petite girl rushed in. It was an accounting class, a subject which I dreaded.

But it was that friendly smile that spoke – it seemed to say that we were on the same boat and the she was just as anxious as I was. That is how I remember Rea Tanchoco.

The Rea I know today is quite different from what I remember back then. And although she is still fair, soft-spoken and mild-mannered she has become an entrepreneur extraordinaire.

You can actually mistake Rea for a presidential candidate because anywhere she goes people call out her name, asking her about the latest products– like what the newest colors are and about the hippest designs. Women in school wear pretty much the same things. Most of the earrings, necklaces, anklets, bracelets, belts (both stretch and buckled) bags are designed and produced by Rea.

The women’s comfort room has practically become Rea land.

At 22, Rea, a Behavioral Science senior designs and sells accessories. She also makes silk bags, belts (stretchable and silk belts), silk cell phone cases, bandanas and silk cuffs.

Matter of fact, she plans to open her own boutique soon.

"I started with such a small amount of money and now I’m starting to be independent. I don’t get an allowance from my parents anymore. I pay for my shopping splurges, my gas and even my parking tickets. When I go on trips I even buy pasalubong for my parents," says Rea. "Ten years from now, I would be financially independent and economically productive. I want to continue what I am doing until I get old, because I enjoy and love doing it."

Who would have thought that this dream was a byproduct of a class at La Salle. "It started when I was in first year college, when I was taking art appreciation class. From there, all my creative juices started to flow. I was creating simple accessories made of glass beads just as a hobby – something I did out of boredom and curiosity. It was only when I was in 3rd year that I started joining bazaars. I’ve expanded and started making different kinds of kikay stuff also," explains the proud entrepreneur. "Being a Lasallian has helped me become creative, confident, and logical when it comes to taking risks in business. DLSU, together with my parents have taught me how to manage my time, energy and money efficiently. They taught me to earn and invest early in my adult life."

Rea values her customers’ ideas and suggestions, and to this day, she is the best salesperson I have ever encountered. "I learn from different kinds of people every day. I get to meet a lot of people when I join bazaars and I learn to become open-minded when my customers suggest things that can help improve my products. I actually encourage them to tell me what they want – like the designs and colors they really like. I want them be satisfied with the stuff they buy from me." People like Rea have served as an inspiration to me. "Young people who want to venture into business must be really patient and hardworking... and they have to believe in their skills and abilities. Don’t be afraid to be different and to think up new ideas."

For starting entrepreneurs Rea has this piece of advice to offer: "Like what my mom always says: Always live below your means, because frugality translates into wealth... so if you really want to be rich and successful you have to learn to be frugal. Although it is something I have yet to learn."