Bullying Played A Role In This Beauty Brand CEO's Success Story

Queen White CEO Sarah Vidi Payno used bullying as a motivation to establish her own skincare brand, which is now helping boost the confidence of many Filipinas

Janelle Roa Cabrera-Paraiso

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/fe40baf2-4f3c-4f49-bc49-168653a55389_sarah 2.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="This Beauty Brand Owner Started Her Business Because She Was Bullied"/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“<em>Dati, nabu-</em>bully<em> ako nu’ng mga</em> elementary and college days,” <strong><a href="https://www.queenwhitemain.com/" target="_blank">Queen White</a></strong> CEO <strong>Sarah Vidi Payno</strong> told <strong>Metro.Style</strong> when she was asked what sparked her interest in the beauty industry. She would get teased for her complexion and it took a toll on her confidence. </p><div><br/></div><p>It took quite some time before she finally got her fair share of confidence, and establishing her beauty brand was what truly helped her find her purpose. Sarah used the very thing that let her down to her advantage, and she is humbled by the better life that she is enjoying now. “<em>Nag</em>-start <em>kami</em> from scratch <em>talaga</em>. <em>Wala po kaming</em> idea <em>sa</em> skincare and online selling. Then, ’<em>yung pinampuhunan po namin dito</em> is ’<em>yung pampakasal sana namin ng asawa ko ngayon</em>,” she shared.</p><div><br/></div><div> </div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/37b9793a-e7a8-4576-8885-effd3d3dfb92_sarah.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="This Beauty Brand Owner Started Her Business Because She Was Bullied"/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Started in 2018, Queen White has truly come a long way, but it doesn’t mean that Sarah’s journey was an easy ride. She had to put off some of her dreams and reallocate the savings she and her now-husband once had. Using what they earned from their business, they finally got to push through with their dream wedding. </p><div><br/></div><p>Currently a mother of two, the Sarah today—a financially-disciplined, goal-driven woman—is grateful for the Sarah she used to be in the past. </p><div><br/></div><p>“<em>Mahirap kasi wala talaga kaming kilala</em> online. <em>Kumbaga, nagsimula kami na</em> zero <em>talaga. Nanligaw kami ng mga</em> distributors, <em>mga</em> reseller,” the beauty entrepreneur recalled, inspired by the mission to attract more online sellers and distributors into joining their business. “<em>Talagang araw-araw, ang</em> goal <em>namin</em> is <em>makapagpa</em>-entry <em>ng mga</em> online sellers, <em>hanggang sa ’yun, may nakakilala sa’min. Nag</em>-start <em>na siyang lumago</em> nationwide.” </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/a145fe9c-c017-4ab6-bab7-e8706749435e_sarah 3.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="This Beauty Brand Owner Started Her Business Because She Was Bullied"/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“<em>Nu’ng nag</em>-start <em>po kasi kami nito</em>, as in <em>wala kaming sasakyan, wala kaming pang</em>-deliver, <em>wala kaming kahit na ano’ng napundar</em>,” Sarah revealed. </p><div><br/></div><p>“<em>Tapos kami lang talaga ng asawa ko ’yung nagde</em>-deliver—bus shipping. <em>Talagang binubuhat namin ’yung mga</em> boxes <em>papunta sa</em> terminal <em>ng</em> bus,” she added, highlighting that from three to four boxes of orders, Queen White now has a van or truck full of deliveries.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsarahvidimercado%2Fposts%2Fpfbid06gfv1KbwxFU6mmCewndLT78j7apqG2qBjKBzKKsm8S9FDLXSPGEKR7tXpbDEjQh3l&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="792" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Perhaps at a young age, it was already written in Sarah’s palms that entrepreneurship is the right path for her. Back in the day, her family also used to own a shoe production business, from which she first learned her skills in business. </p><div><br/></div><p>As to why she chose to venture into beauty instead of retail, meanwhile, Sarah explained how those who preceded her, like Brilliant Skin Essentials, Inc. CEO Miss Glenda, paved the way for Queen White to be brought into being. She says, “<em>Sila ’yung</em> inspiration <em>namin. Sila ’yung ni</em>-look up <em>ko talaga na, ‘ay, gusto ko rin ng ganiyan.’</em> Since <em>sikat din naman ’yung</em> skincare online, <em>du’n namin nilagay ’yung puhunan namin</em>.”</p><div><br/></div><p>With sets and packages for skin restoration, rejuvenation, and whitening, Queen White has evolved into a beauty brand that both the upscale market and mass consumers surely love. Their best seller is the Queen White Goddess Set—“<em>Ito talaga ’yung ginagamit ko kasi mayru’n na po ’tong</em> sunblock. <em>’Yun ’yung pinaka</em>-favorite <em>ko sa lahat</em>, <em>’yung</em> sunblock—3-in-1 pore eraser sunblock.”</p><div><br/></div><p>“<em>Hindi lang po ’yung</em> customers <em>namin ’yung iniingatan namin dito. ’Yung mga</em> distributors <em>namin, hindi lang sila gumanda, pati ’yung buhay kasi nila gumanda sa tulong ni</em> Queen White <em>po. Nu’ng nag</em>-start <em>sila magbenta ng</em> Queen White, <em>talagang nagkaroon sila ng</em> savings,” stated Sarah, taking pride in the good cause her brand is also upholding. </p><div><br/></div><p>“’<em>Yun po ’yung pinaka</em>-main goal <em>namin dito</em>—<em>hindi lang makatulong na magpaganda sa</em> physical appearance <em>ng tao</em>,<em> kundi makatulong din sa pangkabuhayan </em>[<em>nila</em>],” she carried on. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/adc695cd-6c8a-4728-9c57-2293466a19b9_sarah vidi payno.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="This Beauty Brand Owner Started Her Business Because She Was Bullied"/></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/a25b7e10-97bb-4fe5-b6dc-ac3ffb41f113_queen white.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="This Beauty Brand Owner Started Her Business Because She Was Bullied"/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Apart from the financial success, Sarah considers herself successful, too, as her then-small-scale business is now capable of extending help to others. “<em>Kapag bumili po kayo ng</em> products, automatic, <em>mayru’n po tayong mashe</em>-share <em>na</em> 5 pesos every product <em>sa</em><strong> <a href="https://www.sosphilippines.org/" target="_blank">SOS Children’s Village</a></strong> <em>po. ’Yun po ’yung</em> organization <em>na may mga bata po tayong tinutulungan.</em>”</p><div><br/></div><p>When asked what advice she would like to impart to aspiring and budding beauty entrepreneurs, Sarah made a precise statement: “<em>Ang ma-a</em>-advice <em>ko lang po</em> based <em>sa aking</em> experience, <em>sa umpisa kasi</em>, <em>mahirap talaga</em>. One to two years, <em>hindi pa ’yan</em> established <em>e. Kumbaga, nagpapakilala ka pa lang, </em>so<em> dapat hindi tayo mapagod.</em>” </p><div><br/></div><p>“’<em>Wag kang susuko kasi lahat ng tinatanim mo ngayon, aanihin mo na ’yan, e</em>—three to four years,” she remarked, encouraging everyone to always grow their flame. “<em>Wala namang madaling negosyo. Ang mapapayo ko sa kanila, ’wag susuko agad-agad </em>and<em> ibigay lagi ’yung</em> best <em>araw-araw</em>. <em>Parang pakiramdam mo, ito na ’yung huling araw, e. ’Yun lang ’yung ginawa ko po. Hindi ako napagod—napagod pero hindi susuko.</em>”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/db2cb252-d3f6-4833-b847-56869d3efd6d_sarah family.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="This Beauty Brand Owner Started Her Business Because She Was Bullied"/></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/4886f89b-5f19-40d4-9d99-bd4b21e6a103_svp.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="This Beauty Brand Owner Started Her Business Because She Was Bullied"/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>Sarah Vidi Payno&#x27;s Facebook Page</strong></p><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/celebrities/filipina-celebrities-owners-of-beauty-brands/35355" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">These Filipina Celebrities Are Also Owners Of Beauty And Wellness Brands</a></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/inspiring-stories/profile-filipina-businesswoman-yoliesil-pontino/34216" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">In Conversation With California-Based Pinay Businesswoman Yoliesil Pontino</a></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/inspiring-stories/in-conversation-with-entrepreneur-izzy-concepcion/33144" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">In Conversation With Pet Parent and Entrepreneur Izzy Concepcion</a></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/inspiring-stories/sara-ku-sexual-trauma-survivor/26764" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lessons From Sara Ku, A Sexual Trauma Survivor Who Learned To Go Beyond The Shame </a></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/inspiring-stories/charisse-tinio-of-niceprint-and-her-new-businesses/27399" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Charisse Tinio Launches Five New Businesses Under Quarantine—Her Entrepreneurial Mindset Will Inspire You</a></div>

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Bullying Played A Role In This Beauty Brand CEO's Success Story

Bullying Played A Role In This Beauty Brand CEO's Success Story

Janelle Roa Cabrera-Paraiso

Published Jul 14, 2023 09:49 AM PHT

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Updated Aug 14, 2023 01:15 PM PHT

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