Entrepreneur Anna Magkawas on resetting, rebuilding, and moving forward
The past year tested many entrepreneurs, and Anna Magkawas counted herself among them. The founder and CEO of Luxe Beauty and Wellness Group described 2025 as a period that pushed business owners to slow down, reassess priorities, and face difficult realities head-on.
“People really held on to their money,” Magkawas shared in an interview with Manila Standard Life during her company’s thanksgiving party. “You could feel that consumers were being more careful. Even I felt it as a consumer. You really think twice before spending.”
That shift in behavior rippled across industries, including beauty and wellness. The slowdown became a turning point for Magkawas, prompting her to look closely at how the business was operating beyond sales and visibility.
Much of the year was spent strengthening internal systems and putting structure in place. Legal matters, documentation, and long-term planning took priority as the company worked toward becoming more sustainable and investment-ready.
“We started professionalizing everything,” she explained. “You have to prepare the business as if someone might want to come in tomorrow. Everything has to be in order.”
Expense management also became a key focus. Some marketing efforts were scaled back, including large outdoor placements, as the company redirected resources toward its core community. Attention shifted to users, distributors, and long-time supporters who had helped build the brand from the ground up.
“That was intentional,” Magkawas shared. “We wanted to focus on the people who already believe in what we’re doing.”
The mindset moving into 2026 is noticeably lighter. Optimism has replaced uncertainty, grounded in clearer direction and more disciplined planning. New offerings under Luxe Skin are lined up, while the brand continues to strengthen its presence in the wellness space. Retail partnerships continue to grow, with Luxe products now available in major chains nationwide and more expansions underway.
“This has always been about building something that lasts,” she explained, alluding to her long-term vision. “Something I can eventually pass on to my children.”
The challenges of 2025 also brought valuable lessons. Consistency stood out as one of the most important. Running a business, she pointed out, requires showing up daily, even when motivation runs low.
“People think being an entrepreneur means you control your time,” she shared. “But in reality, you’re always thinking about the business. You wake up thinking about it. You go to sleep thinking about it.”
Listening became another crucial takeaway. Growth, she noted, comes from being open to others and recognizing when someone else has better insight.
“We don’t do everything alone,” she added. “We listen to people who know more than us in certain areas. That’s important.”
Equally important was protecting one’s mindset. Being surrounded by the right people helped keep perspective during difficult moments.
“If you’re surrounded by negativity, that’s what you absorb,” she said. “You need people who inspire you and push you forward.”
The principle guiding her into 2026 remains simple. Consistency, patience, and purpose shape how she moves forward. Business grows through steady effort, discipline, and confidence in what is being built.
