Shopee, the leading electronic commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, commemorates National Women’s Month by celebrating the success of Filipina entrepreneurs.
According to the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs 2018, opportunities for women to succeed abound in the Philippines. The country ranks first in Women’s Advancement Outcomes with strong female representation in business leaders and an equal inclination for both men and women to engage in entrepreneurial activity.
The Philippines is one of only three countries worldwide where the number of established business owners among women is higher than that of men.
This growth in the number of female business leaders and entrepreneurs in the Philippines is mirrored in the growing e-commerce scene, as more women opt to start their own businesses online. In 2017, Shopee saw a 158-percent increase in the number of female sellers on board compared to 2016.
Of the female sellers who went on board last year, 50 percent were preferred sellers—a title given to sellers who have attained commendable shop ratings and have displayed excellent customer service.
“We are proud to recognize and celebrate the success of Filipina entrepreneurs who have displayed outstanding business acumen and strength of character. Shopee remains committed to supporting local entrepreneurs in the Philippines, and we look forward to seeing more women take the step towards entrepreneurship by building their businesses online,” said Shopee head of regional marketing Agatha Soh.
In celebration of Filipina entrepreneurs in March, Shopee celebrates the stories of three inspiring women who chose e-commerce as a way to delve into entrepreneurship and build a successful career.
For Shopee seller Rhea Kristine Dumo, a small capital did not deter her from starting an online business. With just P2,000, Dumo started her online store and managed the business on her own—from sourcing products, to coordinating with buyers and packing orders – all while taking care of her daughter as a stay-at-home mom.
By selling a variety of toys and gifts for children, Dumo was able to buy her own house at the age of 28, and more importantly, spend more time with her daughter. “That’s one thing that money can’t buy but Shopee can give freedom to manage my own time,” said Dumo.
She now employs five full-time employees and two part-time student employees to manage Martipaps Gift Shop.
Arcel Monnette Mangubat, 25, chose to sell online as a way for her to pay for her wedding, start a family and attain long-term financial stability. As a first-time entrepreneur, Mangubat chose to start her business selling women’s apparel on an e-commerce platform in order to reach a greater number of customers and easily scale up her business. “The convenience and security provided by Shopee, along with its large customer base, allowed us to grow the business and eventually buy a motorcycle, build a house, and fund our wedding. We are very thankful for Shopee,” said Mangubat.
Owner of the Shopee shop Makeupholics, Melanie Sta. Maria, witnessed key improvements in her business
since she joined the platform in 2015. Already an established seller on other online platforms, Melanie joined Shopee to take advantage of the in-app logistics system to easily manage her inventories and marketing campaigns. With around 1,200 orders per month, Melanie successfully grew her business and was able to comfortably provide for her family.
“Not only has Shopee provided me with a secure platform to grow my business, it has also helped me achieve my dream of purchasing a car for my family,” Sta. Maria said.
Shopee aims to continually enhance its platform and become the region’s e-commerce destination of choice.
Shopee, a Sea company, was first launched in Singapore in 2015, and has since expanded its reach to Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.