A collection of "Nuez" brand Traditional Filipino Hair Care and skin care products, including various shampoo bars, a conditioner bar, a body bar, and bottles of coconut hair serum, arranged neatly against a plain white background.

Lanao del Norte, Philippines—“Work smart, not hard, and surround yourself with the right people.” These are the guiding words of Regine Mae S. Rizon, the woman behind Laregina Coconut Products Manufacturing.

Even as a child playing vendor, Regine Mae harbored a dream of becoming a “tindera” or vendor. Witnessing her mother’s entrepreneurial endeavors, she gained firsthand experience in managing operations and reaping the rewards of hard work, igniting a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship.   

Recognizing a unique opportunity to merge the hair and skin care industry with the livelihoods of coconut farmers, Regina Mae envisioned a business that would bridge beauty with sustainability. She observed a market saturated with commercial and chemical-based hair care products often failing short of their promises to address common hair issues like hair fall, dandruff, and dryness. At the same time, she noted the insufficient income of hardworking coconut farmers despite the immense value of their harvest. These factors inspired her to establish her business.   

To address the gap in the hair and skin care industry, Regine Mae turned to a time-tested solution: Traditional Filipino Hair Care with coconuts. This natural resource is abundant with essential nutrients that promote hair health, strengthen the hair shaft, and provide deep scalp hydration, effectively reducing hair fall, dandruff, and dryness.

However, like any business, challenges arose. Despite the coconut’s richness, the natural scent of coconut oil (lana aroma), often considered unfavorable, posed a potential deterrent to customers. To overcome this, Laregina Coconut Products Manufacturing strategically incorporated essential oils into their formulation, neutralizing the coconut oil’s scent while preserving its beneficial properties.

When asked with the question of navigating a traditionally male-dominated industry as a woman, Regina Mar offered an insightful perspective: “I don’t see men as a challenge, but rather an opportunity. It’s not about who dominated the industry; it’s about recognizing and addressing the needs of all consumers, regardless of gender.”

Her response demonstrates the mental fortitude and business acumen that have fueled her business growth. She exhibits a remarkable ability to identify opportunities within challenges and effectively implement solutions while maintaining product quality.

Through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), Regine Mae gained valuable insights and promoted her products at various trade fairs. With the DTI’s continued assistance, she connected with valuable networks, secured partnerships, and accessed new opportunities that expanded her business reach in the market.

Additionally, she benefitted from personalized mentorship under the DTI’s Kapatid Mentor ME Program, which played a key role in her entrepreneurial journey.

“With the DTI’s help, I’ve been able to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and build a successful business,” said Regine Mae.

Laregina Coconut Products Manufacturing is now focused on expanding its business expansion by making its products available to more consumers through distribution in supermarkets nationwide.

Alongside its growth ambitions, the company is addressing environmental concerns by moving away from single-use plastics, starting with the replacement of sachet shampoo with eco-friendly alternatives.

As one of the growing businesses in Lanao del Norte, Regine Mae encourages everyone to stay focused, remain resilient, and remember that success results from both hard work and thoughtful decision-making.

To inspire other women who are seeking to enter entrepreneurship or break into traditionally male-dominated fields, her message is simple: attend trainings, invest in personal development, and always strive to do better.

She encourages aspiring women entrepreneurs to never be afraid to continuously improve themselves, to stay determined, and to remember that there is always room for progress. ♦

Date of Release: 09 April 2025

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