Some businesses are closing due to the pandemic but a young lady student in Romblon chose a different path, as she starts her own business despite the country's discouraging economic status caused by the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) last year.

Nicole Gwyn Magango, 20, a Human Resources Management student at the University of Sto. Tomas, is now enjoying her life as a student and at the same time, a manager of her own coffee-shop in the town of Odiongan.

Magango shares that during the implementation of the ECQ in Romblon, they pondered on what business would be lucrative during the pandemic - a venture that will surely click with consumers.

"I'm a fan of iced coffees but we lack restaurants and cafes in town serving this, that's why we arrived on this business," Magango said in an online interview with PIA-Romblon Wednesday.

"I believe that women are phenomenal and limitless. We just have to believe in ourselves. In the beginning, I didn't think I can do it, but the opportunity came, so I said why not try," she added.

To empower other women, she hired female employees to work in her shop.

The young entrepreneur, who gives credit to her friends and family as instrumental to her success, now encourages other women who are going to start their own business to have a brave heart and be responsible.

"When you start a business, you should not project that it will last for just a month - it should be long term. You should be a risk-taker. If you don't know how to take risks, you will be stagnant. So, learn to believe in yourselves and trust God," Magango said. (PJF/PIA Mimaropa)