From Flight Attendant to Fashion Entrepreneur: The Journey of Crystal Joice Herrera

Crystal Joice Herrera is a mother of three and was previously a flight attendant for several years. While working as a flight attendant, she started a cosmetics business, but it struggled during the pandemic. She resigned from her job as a flight attendant when she became pregnant and was afraid of getting COVID-19.

During the pandemic, Joice started her own clothing business. Initially, she only sold t-shirts, but then she also began selling thrift clothes. She noticed that even during the pandemic, people were still buying clothes. She then decided to design her own clothing and explain to the tailor how she wanted it made. If the design was well-received, she would produce more of it.

In 2022, Joice participated in the Mentor Me Program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of the City of San Fernando. The program is a 10-module course that teaches entrepreneurs the know-how of running a business, covering topics such as marketing, operations, and human resources. The program provided her with valuable knowledge and skill set to help her to further grow her business.

With the knowledge she gained from the program, Joice was able to create new designs for her clothing business, one of which is the "Kaye Puff" which is a Filipino-style design that has been popular recently. The "Kaye Puff" design is based on traditional Filipino clothing, with a modern twist that appeals to the current market. The design has been well-received by customers and has helped her business grow. 

The success of this particular design is a testament to her creativity, hard work and the knowledge she gained from the mentor me program. She is continuously looking for new inspiration and ways to improve her designs.