Photo credit: @kiraycelis  / Instagram 

“Normal lang din po ako na tao na may pangangailangan at may mga kakulangan, kaya itong mga products ko po ginawa ko para sa mga kakulangan at mga insecurities natin sa mga katawan natin,” said actress and entrepreneur Kiray Celis on what inspired her to start and make her own products, which she officially launched earlier this year.

In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN during the launch of her newest brand, Day-Li, Kiray shared that despite being a celebrity, she also deals with insecurities and physical issues that affect her confidence.

“Karamihan po ng products natin, ‘yun din po ‘yung kailangan ko hindi lang kailangan ninyo.  Hindi porket artista tayo ay nakikita niyo na makinis (na). Hindi po. May mga talagang tinatago rin tayong pa-chismis sa katawan at mayroon din akong mga insecurities, kaya po kung ano ‘yung nararamdaman niyo, ako din po, nararamdaman ko,” she shared.

Earlier this year, Kiray officially launched her first two brands: Hot Babe, a slimming coffee brand and Hello Bloom, a beauty and wellness drink brand. Now, she has expanded her business with Day-Li, a line of food supplement capsules with various flavors and health benefits.

When asked how she manages her growing business empire, Kiray highlighted the importance of listening to her customers’ feedback.

“I'm very happy kasi alam niyo po, talagang lagi kong sinasabi sa mga tao na nakikinig ako sa mga review at comments ng mga bumibili sakin,” she shared. “Sa una kong product na mga drinks, nagrerequest sila baka naman capsule naman para mas mabilis, para straight to the skin, straight agad ang bisa. Okay po, sige po. So, ito na.”

She also shared that even negative feedback plays a big role in improving her products.

“Talagang nakikinig po kasi ako. Hindi ako nasasaktan sa mga bad comments, bagkus pinupush ko pa yung sarili ko na gawin [na mas maayos]. Parang ako pa yung pumu-push sa sarili ko para ma-inspire ako lalo. Bad comments, good comments man ‘yan, thankful ako kasi ibig sabihin noon may gusto pa silang makita at may gusto silang idagdag,” she expressed.

Kiray also made a conscious decision not to hire celebrity endorsers, choosing instead to keep her prices affordable and her products accessible to the masses.

“Hindi po ako kumukuha ng endorser. Hindi dahil mayabang ako, hindi dahil artista naman na ‘yung may-ari. ’Yung ipambabayad po natin sa endorser, ginagawa ko po, binabawas na lang po natin sa presyo para mas abot kaya niyo po ang ating product,” she explained.

WATCH: Kiray Celis on why she ventured into business | PUSH TV

She went on: “Gusto ko po since masa ako, alam niyo ‘yun comedy, syempre pangmasa din ‘yung products natin pero hindi po tinipid sa quality. Kaya kung kukuha tayo ng endorser why not bawasan na lang natin ‘yung presyo para mas mabili ng mga tao.”

Earlier this year, Kiray revealed that she earned ₱8 million in just six months through online sales.

In an interview with MJ Marfori, she shared how she quickly earned back her initial investment. 

"Agad-agad din po. Kailangang masipag ka lang talaga. Kaya po since nagpahinga rin ako sa mga taping, dito po ako nag-allot ng time ko and wala na akong nila-live na iba, ito na lang," she said.

READ: Kiray Celis earns ₱8 Million from online sales in 6 months, now a proud live seller

Kiray’s products are available on various e-commerce platforms. She also does live selling alongside her team to promote and personally engage with customers.