Here come the sunnies

How Georgina Wilson reinvented herself by teaming up with style-savvy cousin Martine Cajucom and going into business

Sunnies by Charlie took Instagram by storm the last couple of months with a rapid campaign, showcasing the freshest eyewear with the city’s coolest people. It seemed everyone wanted a pair. Cousins Georgina Wilson and Martine Cajucom (along with Bea Soriano and Eric Dee) were the geniuses behind all the success. Young STAR talks to Georgina and Martine about starting a business with family, the trouble of long distance, and 2 a.m. phone calls.

YOUNG STAR: What made you guys decide to work together and what made Sunnies the perfect opportunity for that?

Georgina Wilson: Well, I’ve always thought that Martine was so talented and I really wanted her to style our first Sunnies campaign. After seeing that and how we worked together, it wouldn’t have been right to go ahead with Sunnies without her.

How was the transition from cousins to business partners?

Martine cajucom: As cousins, friends, and even business partners, we always find time to laugh and enjoy our time together.  I think that’s the key to success; working with people you respect and enjoying what you do.

What were some of the initial challenges and how’d you solve it together?

M: Like any “long-distance relationship,” I think the time difference was our biggest issue. Problem solved when I made the big move here!

G: The distance was definitely an issue when Martine was living abroad. Another thing that works really well within the company, and that goes for Bea and Eric too, is we all have a final call on something. Martine for example is the creative head and she has final say when it comes to those decisions and all the other partners respect that. I think that’s really important in a working relationship.

What makes your cousin the perfect business partner?

M: George has a brilliant understanding of marketing and numbers. She’s very supportive of my whimsical creative ideas. She takes it to a level that we can communicate to the local audience.

G: Martine’s skill set and mine perfectly compliment each other. I feel so lucky to have found this working relationship with someone I love so much! I really admire and respect her talent.  I think I’m also a good sounding board for her ideas, which is kind of what happens until like 1 to 2 a.m. every day! (Laughs)

Any lessons you’ve learned while in Sunnies?

M: Organizational skills! The power of labeling and utilizing folders has saved me from mini freak-outs.

G: I’ve learnt that I’m even less creative than I ever thought I was! (Laughs)