MANILA, Philippines — Artists like Kiray Celis have played a myriad of roles on the small and big screens. They also do the same in their personal lives. They wear different hats.
Kiray’s recent one is that of a “boss lady.” She’s the CEO of the beauty, skincare and wellness company, Kiray’s Brands.
Blooming and confident, Kiray granted representatives from print and online media groups a free-flowing and fun chat.
“Mas marami pang trabaho po yung mga gusto kong mabigyan ng work ko (I want to give more job opportunities through my work),” said Kiray, whose business venture has recently introduced products from Hot Babe Green and Skin Vibe to the public.
“Tanim lang ako nang tanim ng mga bagong products (I’ve just been introducing new products),” added she. “‘Di ko rin po alam kung ano rin po yung magugustuhan ng mga tao, ‘di ko rin alam po kung ano yung mag-cli-click kaya gawa lang po nang gawa (I don’t know what people will like or what will click with them. That’s why we just keep on creating and producing).”
It seems that her business approach is to offer everyone a wide variety of products that will suit their needs and preferences.
At this point, her business has not yet reached its return on investment. But earnings are coming in.
“Favorite ko yung mga honest reviews kasi hindi ko kilala yung mga yun. Di ko kamag-anak at wala akong kamaganak na 400,000 (my favorite part is getting honest reviews. I don’t know them and I don’t have 400,000 relatives),” shared she. “So, maraming, maraming salamat.”
These are the many reasons why Kiray is inspired to embrace her businesswoman era.
During the interview, she gladly shared that most affiliates who attended the event were once buyers of the products. With the earnings from their commission, most of them left their eight-to-five jobs and are focusing on selling the products.
Kiray has seen that diligence and perseverance do pay off.
So far, her company has about 20 products, but some will be released soon. They have to make sure that they are FDA-approved.
From being a company leader, Kiray is also a bride-to-be. She also squeezes her wedding preparations into her business commitments.
“Ako yung todong abala because ako yung maarte sa aming dalawa (I’m really on top of everything because I’m more picky than my fiancé),” said she. “Yung dyowa ko kasi sobrang bait talaga (he is very kind).” Both lovers have their own businesses.
Kiray has also realized that a wedding could be quite expensive and appreciates the love and support of people around them.
The wedding sponsors include Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Eugene Domingo, Sharon Cuneta, Vice Ganda, Gabby Concepcion and Maricel Soriano.
Although she didn’t give the exact date, Kiray said it will happen this year, sometime in December.
She and Stephan Estopia will have a church wedding in the country and their honeymoon destination is Amanpulo. She described her husband-to-be as someone very private.
Before having their own abode, they made sure that their parents had their own houses. They also put their businesses first and make sure they have a sustainable livelihood.
They’re saving for their house as a couple. Kiray’s dream house is a mansion with guards.
As for the number of children she wants to have in the future, her answer was “seven.” The 31-year-old actress, who grew up in a family with four siblings, said that her husband looks forward to having their own baby.
The couple also had a prenup pictorial in Japan, and they had an enjoyable time there. Kiray was surprised that the vending machine photo went viral or trending. It didn’t sit well with others. She said that they asked permission from the authorities. Besides, she said, others did the same thing in the past. She apologized for those who were offended by it.
Although the business industry keeps her busy these days, show business will always have a special spot in her heart.
“Di ko po masabi kasi siyempre, first love ko yung acting talaga, eh (I can’t say because acting is really my first love),” said Kiray about plans of going full-time as an entrepreneur, “and hindi naman ako mapupunta sa business na ito kung hindi ko rin po sinimulan ang showbiz (I wouldn’t enter into business if I hadn’t started my showbiz career).”
“Hindi mo pwedeng talikuran yung pagmamahal mo dun sa first love mo (I can’t turn my back on my first love),” added she. “Hindi mo pwedeng talikuran sino yung nagpakilala sa’yo kung saan ka nakabili ng bahay at umasenso ang pamilya mo (I can’t turn my back on something that introduced me to people and the reason I’ve bought a house and given my family a better life.)”
With that, Kiray is having fun straddling the entertainment and business paths.