It’s no secret that the pandemic caused extreme distress among Filipinos, and established businesses were no exception. Homegrown Filipino brand One Earth Organics experienced its impact as it stopped operations due to complications. Throughout the brand’s struggle, its CEO, Tyffanie Short, remained steadfast in fighting for what she built.
Short founded OEO in 2013 after she grew tired of using chemical-based products that did more harm than good. As a single mother, she launched the brand using the P37,500 in her savings, initially meant as a downpayment for her son’s tuition fee. Instead, she took the leap of faith to provide Filipinos with a natural alternative to skincare while securing a better future for her son.
One Earth Organics, according to Short, is safe for people with skin problems as she herself deals with psoriasis. The brand helped her achieve healthy skin and boost her confidence.
The brand was eyeing long-term goals and success since its launch nearly a decade ago, but everything changed with the pandemic.
“While 2020 was challenging, 2021 was a different animal. I was left with three employees and zero leadership team. It felt like I was back in 2013 when I was just starting out,” Short said during an intimate dinner at Raffles Makati on November 17.
Although she felt grateful for the employees who stuck with her during challenging times, she struggled with providing for them and keeping the business afloat amid production problems. It’s during this time she strengthened her faith in a higher power and, most importantly, herself.
Short, even though a strong, independent woman who’s ready to fight for what she believes, also learned to surround herself with the right people who support her ideas. Among the people who gave her strength when she was at rock bottom is her son.
“I approached him and told him we can leave everything behind and start fresh in another country. Or, we can continue what we’ve been doing, but we need to use our life savings to sustain the company,” she said. To which he replied, “Mom, I believe in you. I trust you. I believe you’re going to get everything back. The employees and other people are depending on you.”
Her son’s words inspired her to push forward. She began by reinvesting all her savings to the company to re-establish the brand. With her initiative and the help of friends, distributors, and partners, One Earth Organics got back on track last July.
Today, One Earth Organics has 23 direct employees, with 50 to 60 store ambassadors. Short is also hopeful that they’ll finish the year reaching more than 90 employees. Although there are still struggles along the way, the brand is well on its way to recovery.
Compared to its pre-pandemic operations, when One Earth Organics dedicated itself to research and development, the brand is currently focused on maintaining operations and restocking shelves for continuity. Nonetheless, Short promises that the brand will soon divert its efforts into producing new products that caters to different skin types.
One Earth Organics is available at Watsons, The SM Beauty Department Store, and Beauty Bar, along with LazMall and Shopee Mall.