Aqua Skin Success Story: Couple Share How their Skincare Business Survives the Pandemic

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the early part of 2020, millions of businesses around the world, be it small or big, struggled and eventually went bankrupt. With wide-scoped lockdowns and travel restrictions, the economy went to a halt compelling some establishments to close.

However, there are a few that survived the crisis and in the Philippines, one of these notable companies is Aqua Skin. We hope that the success story of this company can inspire everyone who will be able to read this post.

Jeff Geronimo, the owner and CEO of the Japanese Skincare brand Aqua Skin, shared in an open letter how he and partner Trish postponed their wedding and even the construction of their dream house in order for their business to cope up with the hardships that the health crisis brought not only in our country but around the world.

“Trish and I’s original wedding date was supposed to be March 18, 2020, but then we all knew what happened during that time. The pandemic hit, and because of it, we decided to postpone our plans and move it to a later date when things are a bit better. Of course, you can imagine how hard it was to actually visualize when are we supposed to move it. At that time as we tried reaching out to our wedding suppliers, we had a lot of questions and uncertainties because of COVID-19. It was really challenging but when Trish and I focused on the situation, we grew even closer together, we got to know ourselves better in times of limitations, too. And then it clicked to me, that maybe it was God’s way of reassuring us that we are where we’re supposed to be, that because we were just so sure of getting married, we would be able to wait for that perfect time. And thinking of it now, we are more confident and sure of our next step in life together,” he said.

Jeff and Trish braced for the crisis during the time that our country had a surge and nationwide lockdowns were implemented. Their sales went down to a point that their passbook for the business account reached negative figures. Raw materials were getting harder to find because of the trouble with importation of goods. Almost all of their suppliers struggled greatly.

This is when Jeff decided to postpone their church wedding and soon-to-be constructed house and used his personal savings in producing Aqua Skin products with all of their employees intact.

“I had good, industrious, and hopeful people with me, and I just couldn’t let them down because of the worldwide health crisis. As their leader, I needed to do something. So what I did was, I used my personal savings meant for our Church Wedding and to-be-constructed house. In short, aside from our wedding, being postponed, even our future home was put on-hold. What motivated me to do this is my Team. We even added more employees before COVID-19 came. To think that during the peak of the pandemic, a lot of people lost their jobs. Why would I allow my employees to experience the same hardships? No one wanted this pandemic to happen. Unlike other companies that closed down for good or retrenched their workers, I made sure they were kept well and safe. Their welfare is more important than the material things I dreamt of in that moment. And once I was able to establish keeping them, I spent the remaining of my savings in producing Aqua Skin products. It was as if we were all starting from scratch all over again. With that challenge, I was able to see how each and every one of the team pursued to make the brand work. I saw their dedication, loyalty, and trust not only with the brand but with me as well,” he shared.

“Up until now, our team is complete—growing in fact! I am utterly grateful for these individuals for putting so much of their heart and soul in Aqua Skin. And whenever I look back at the ordeal we’ve been through, I can never express the pride I have in them,” he added.

“Aqua Skin’s success story is always worth telling. For just 5 employees working in an apartment unit years back, all that we have now has been a dream come true. We started out having little to nothing to invest, as well as no connections to aid us in climbing the market. My beginning was just from a humble home. All the success you are seeing now is the fruit of love, trust, and hard work of everyone from the team. Success never comes pouring instantly, it needs to take its time and flourish.”

“Despite the hurdles of being tricked by business partners, instances of loss of sales, and the grandest of them all: the pandemic, we never stopped. The moment you stopped working, you lose twice of what was already made in your craft. It’s okay to pause and to recollect, but never stop thriving if you want to be successful in business. Actually, the pandemic became our motivation to move forward. It works to focus on the solutions rather than the problem. Be proactive, as the say. That’s the best takeaway we can ever give anyone. Giving up is never an option, there will always be solutions coming your way. You just need to trust the process,” he shared.

Jeff and Trish emerged victorious from the pandemic and they even had their church wedding and dream house. Their brand, Aqua Skin, is becoming more popular as many people get inspired with their success story. Truly, by not giving up and focusing on the solutions rather than the problem, the couple were able to withstand all obstacles that come their way.