"If you have an idea, make it crazy; you cannot thrive in the business world unless your concept is crazy, since it will propel you to greater heights due to its craziness and uniqueness."
Dr. Seuss once said, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"
This is how Coke Young-Go is best described: a fashion icon in the province of Leyte, where she is also referred to as the "Heart Evangelista of Eastern Visayas."
Young-Go had a lot of experience before she achieved her childhood dream of becoming an entrepreneur and fashion designer.
Born in Tacloban, the city with the happiest people in the world, Young-Go expressed excitement and optimism as she spoke with The Manila Times about her journey.
Young-Go grew up wanting to be an actress, and she'd rather do drama skits than play hopscotch (piko) or Chinese garter.
"I gathered my friends and set up a stage; this is how I grew up.
"When I was in sixth grade, a team from Manila was trying to find aspirants from all over the city, particularly in schools, for a forthcoming sitcom that would be launched in Tacloban.
"I passed the audition, but I was not allowed to go to Manila because I was too young."
Young-Go told The Manila Times that her relatives had seen her sketching gowns when she was little and imagining them to come to life.
"Barbie was my idol because she could become whatever she wanted to be, and she remains my inspiration when I sketch.
"I also pick stones and wrap them in candy wrappers, then pretend to be a retailer selling those fake candies made from stones."
As time passed, her parents advised her to take up physical therapy in college.
"I told myself that I might not be able to achieve my dream because I need to follow what my parents wanted, which is how a batang 90s does: do what your parents want you to do since they know the meaning of success.
"I wanted to make dresses, be an actress or be a designer, but my father questioned who would purchase them, what I planned to do and my source of income."
She subsequently followed her parents' advice and studied physical therapy, although she informed The Manila Times that she did not work in the health care industry but rather in the sales department of a cellular phone company.
After recovering from the onslaught of Super Typhoon 'Yolanda,' Coke Young-Go opens Chew Love Restaurant in June 2014. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
"From physical therapy to telco, which is still under the area of sales and marketing, and extremely popular at the time, you can basically top up your prepaid credits with 30, 60 and 115.
"I enjoy interacting with others, and I am happy I stayed in telco as my marketing skills developed."
Young-Go said that she resigned from the telco after she got married and then became part of her husband's pharmaceutical business.
"Candy to prepaid cards and now medicines, where I've been assisting the pharmacy for five years.
"However, I finally asked my father-in-law if I could start my own business because it has always been my dream."
So it paved the way for Young-Go to establish a new business, which she saw as an opportunity after Super Typhoon "Yolanda," and her father-in-law gladly approved.
And I had to choose between a nail salon and a restaurant, and I went with the latter since Filipinos enjoy eating.
"We opened Chew Love Restaurant in June 2014, and I am proud to say that I was the one who created the design and concept."
Some people refer to Chew Love as a doll house, as Young-Go picked the color, mural design and customized furniture.
"Remember, Barbie is my idol, and my restaurant is the initial phase in fulfilling my dreams."
Chew Love Restaurant, like any other business, was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in lockdowns and the restriction of customer walk-ins.
"I was bored at that time and needed to come up with something, so I approached my mother for a suggestion.
"She came up with the concept of making handwoven bags so that our family could support a local community in their livelihood."
"That came about when we went looking for weavers, which we found in Basey, Samar."
Basey, in Western Samar, is well-known for its colorful and distinctive "tikog" handicrafts.
Tikog is a natural reed plant utilized as a raw material for mat weaving in the town.
Tikog stems are harvested from the wild and bleached in the sun for a few days. Once dried, weavers start meticulously weaving mats, bags, pouches, storage boxes and other crafts.
"We tell them the style and design, and we do the finishing touches like paint, colors and a few add-ons.
"This is a collaboration with local communities."
"That is how we got the name of the business, Weaves, from the technique for creating the bags and the bows, which signifies femininity because of the ribbon-like aesthetic."
Young-Go over time added clothes and dresses to Weaves and Bows.
"I went to the mall one day and noticed a pretty large scarf and considered transforming it into a blouse or something.
"So I purchased two and requested my dressmaker sew them together and experiment, and the end result is a top fashioned from two large scarves.
"I put it on social media and received excellent feedback, which led to online orders."
After recovering from the onslaught of Super Typhoon 'Yolanda,' Coke Young-Go opens Chew Love Restaurant in June 2014. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Some celebrities, including Cristina Gonzales and Carmi Martin, have purchased her items, which has contributed to her apparel selling like hotcakes.
"Then we had a physical store beside Chew Love, which is a garage transformed into a boutique, and we were fortunate to convince Robinsons Tacloban to grant us a space.
"There are other consignment offers in Metro Manila, but I would prefer to open a stand-alone business in the future to be put in Makati and Bonifacio Global City.
"Weaves and Bows is the fulfillment of my long-standing dream to be a fashion designer and businesswoman.
"If you have an idea, make it crazy; you cannot thrive in the business world unless your concept is crazy, since it will propel you to greater heights due to its craziness and uniqueness.
"If you are passionate, every day is a happy day."
ABOUT ME
What is your biggest fear?
Tribulation time in the "Book of Revelation."
What really makes you angry?
Rude behavior.
What motivates you to work hard?
Success
What makes you laugh the most?
True to life funny moments.
What would you do if you won the lotto?
I will keep it a secret.
If you could share a meal with any individual living or dead, who would they be?
Coco Chanel
What was the last book you read?
The Holy Bible.
Which celebrity would you like to meet for a cup of coffee?
Kim Soo-hyun
What is the most daring thing you've ever done?
Give birth.
What is the one thing you will never do again?
Go back to school.
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