Meet Maria

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maria. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maria below.

Hi Maria, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I can honestly say that it’s in my blood. Resilience is a deeply rooted characteristic in Filipino culture that enables us to find strength to adapt and rebuild during hardships. In many Filipino families, resilience is a quiet, steadfast virtue passed down through generations, woven into our daily lives through acts of sacrifice, faith, and unwavering love from our parents and grandparents.

I grew up hearing many stories from my parents and Nanay and Tatay (grandparents) about their hardships back home (in the Philippines) — from poverty, natural disasters, or the challenges of migration — which I’m sure other Filipino families can relate to. Their resilience wasn’t always loud or dramatic, but it showed in their daily efforts of waking up before sunrise (sometimes at night) to work, in stretching a meal to feed many mouths, or in smiling through pain to give comfort to me and my siblings.

When I think of resilience though, the first person that comes to mind is my Nanay. My grandma never had the chance to finish school, but she worked tirelessly cooking for local workers in her own karinderia (small eatery) to provide for her children and put them through school. Even as she got older and she had an aneurysm followed by a stroke, her resilience gave her strength to overcome the challenges of recovery for over a decade. She was, and will always be, such an inspiration to me and I continue to carry her spirit, resilience and courage with me into my journey as a small business owner.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

So I am a mom-owned brand that offers modern and minimal handmade concrete candles and home goods inspired by Filipino culture and my memories of growing up in a traditional Filipino home. My work is rooted in honoring heritage while embracing clean, contemporary design. Each piece I create is thoughtfully crafted to reflect the warmth, textures, and some stories of my upbringing — from the raw materials of our candle vessels and trays to the subtle, culturally inspired fragrance blends that fill each candle and modernized designs that elevate your homes.

What excites me most about Modern Filipina Co. is the opportunity to merge tradition with modern aesthetics in a way that feels both fresh and deeply personal. I find so much joy in translating memories from my childhood — like the scent of sampaguita flowers or the sense of nostalgia from familiar prints and designs found in my childhood home — and creating meaningful pieces for others to enjoy. I love when people connect with our work, whether because it reminds them of their own heritage or because they’re discovering something new and beautiful through the lens of Filipino culture. My hope is that each product not only brings beauty into someone’s home, but also carries a story that resonates and inspires connection.

Right now, I’m especially excited about our upcoming launch of concrete planters! We’re also working on more seasonal fragrance blends set to launch in the upcoming months, and preparing for the “BER” months, also known as the Holidays. Be sure to follow our journey on Instagram and TikTok for more updates on all things new! I appreciate you taking the time to learn more about me and my little shop, Modern Filipina Co., and for being part of the community that supports handmade, culturally inspired work. Salamat!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I would say that the three qualities that had the most impact on my small biz journey with Modern Filipina Co. were finding the courage to start, building community, and practicing patience. Taking the first step — especially when you’re building something from scratch — can be the hardest part. It takes a lot of inner strength to believe in your vision and creations then put it out into the world for everyone. Not everyone will like what you make either, and that can be a little discouraging, but the right customers will find you and support your work. Building community was also essential. Connecting with other makers, small business owners, and supporters helped me stay grounded and inspired. Finally, patience has been key — both in the creative process and in allowing the business to grow at its own pace. It’s easy to want everything to happen quickly, but meaningful growth takes time.

For anyone who’s early in their journey, my biggest piece of advice is to follow your passion. Let your “why” be the anchor that guides you through the ups and downs. On the slow days, which will happen — remember that rest and reflection are just as valuable as the busy, productive moments. Give yourself grace and patience as you figure things out, make mistakes, and learn along the way. Growth isn’t always linear, and that’s okay! Keep showing up, stay inspired, and continue learning and improving your craft. Every step, no matter how small, moves you forward!

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I’m feeling overwhelmed while running my small business, I make it a priority to step back and take a short break to gather myself. I’ve found that giving my mind a moment to breathe helps me regain clarity and focus. Also, I often break fulfilling orders into smaller, manageable batches so I don’t feel buried under everything at once. Spending time with my family also helps me reset emotionally and remember why I started this journey in the first place. Sometimes, I even treat myself to something yummy as a small act of self-care. And in those tougher moments, I take a second to remember the feeling of making my first sale — that spark of excitement and possibility reminds me how far I’ve come and why it’s worth pushing through.

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