She is a registered nurse who has been working as a company nurse in Cebu City. While she found fulfillment in caring for her patients, she always had a thing for natural living and simple living in the countryside. One day, she decided to take a leap of faith and left her nursing career behind to pursue her dream of becoming an agripreneur.
From Nursing to Farming
Regina Mae Rizon, also known as Regine or Jen-Jen to her peers, is a 36-year-old registered nurse, who has transitioned from the agricultural sector to the skin & hair care products industry, driven by her entrepreneurial spirit. As the youngest of four children born to Ms. Teresita S. Rizon, Regina Mae was raised in Cebu from elementary school through college, graduating from Maria Montessori International School.
Regine’s first experience with gardening was growing plants in pots at home. In her childhood, she recalled not enjoying farming much and never imagined she would pursue it. However, after the pandemic, she returned to Baroy, Lanao Del Norte, and in 2022 established a 500 square-meter vegetable garden, focusing primarily on okra production on her parents' farm in Barangay Limwag. It is in this venture that she applied the organic farming techniques she had learned from a TESDA training program.
Re-discovering the Tree of Life
Regine's farming journey began when she kickstarted a small farm in her hometown. She was particularly intrigued by the versatility and potential of coconuts, a crop that is abundant in the region. Regine began experimenting with different ways to utilize the various parts of the coconut plant, from the fruit to the leaves and even the shells.
In May 2023, she attended a training organized by ATI on the Production of Coconut Products and By-products at Amparitas Farm, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur to expand her perspective in the coco business. The training has further increased her desire to pursue more in this enterprise. The training attended was an eye-opener for her where she learned that nothing is wasted from Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) to premium cooking oil. Upon going home, she applied her learning. Her family owned nine hectares of coconut. At first, she used their coconuts for free. She now buys coconuts in their neighboring communities.
Her Learning Journey
Her farming and business venture was no walk in the park since Regine had met a string of failures and a handful of setbacks. From vegetable gardening to free-range chicken production, and lettuce production, she sought business tips and found each venture’s viability as well as the pros and cons.
One of her customers Ms. Helen Cabrera Alguso II, an ATI-certified Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) owner encouraged her to become an LSA. She later applied with an endorsement from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Baroy, Lanao del Norte.
While still in hydroponics and chicken layer production in 2022, she tried another venture which is the processing of coconut-based products. She started a micro-enterprise that aims to provide customers with quality coco-based organic and natural products. She envisioned providing extra income to coconut farmers and uplifting the quality of their lives through value-adding practices and by promoting green and sustainable business while helping the environment.
In April of 2023, she bought equipment such as a coco milk presser and coco grater. Thanks to DTI-Lanao del Norte under CFID for providing her with a stainless table and heavy-duty pallets. She is operating following the standards and protocols in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Later on, Regine created a line of coconut-based skin & hair care products as well as an easy, mess-free coco hair serum which she learned first from YouTube. She started with 10 bottles of coconut hair serum with P500 as an initial investment. Her brand name is Nuez Naturals Green and Sustainable Beauty. Nuez is a Spanish word for coconut.
“I have my fair share of cries, struggles, figuring things out, attending trainings, running out of money, resorting to loans, and a lot more. Nevertheless, our locally made products have made it to the international market as far as the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand and Hongkong”, Regine shared.
Regine’s efforts paid off as she was endorsed by DTI-Tubod, Lanao del Norte through Mr. John Fernan to DOST Lanao del Norte under CFIDP for efficient and quality products to have more sales.
Currently, her documents are being processed by the FDA for verification of coconut product notification, as she plans to proceed with selling online through Shopee, Lazada, and other online platforms.
Launching a Coco-Based Skin & Hair Care Products
Regine's journey as an entrepreneur began with the establishment of Laregina Coconut Products Manufacturing in Baroy, Lanao del Norte. Her diverse background and nursing expertise have equipped her with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges of running a successful business. Adaptability, leadership, persistence, resilience, and effective time management are some of the key attributes that have contributed to her success as a nurse entrepreneur.
Establishing and launching Nuez Naturals---her own line of coco-based skin & hair care products, gave Regine a whole new sense of fulfillment.
As Regine delved deeper into her research, the incredible skincare and beauty benefits of coconut-derived ingredients gave her positive results and impressions.
Her array of products includes Virgin Coconut Oil, coconut hair serum, coconut cooking oil, coconut body bars, coconut shampoo bars, coconut conditioner bars, and coconut charcoal. She has local and international markets for her coco hair serum product, mostly online in Cebu and Tacloban. She collaborates with one of the best hair salons in Ozamiz City and Oroquieta City through consignments and re-branding. To date, Regine earns an average income of P136,000 a month.
Empowering the Local Community
Regine has then hired a team consisting of four staff including a pharmacist, as well as three coconut processors, to support her value-adding business. Processing coconuts and producing coconut-based products, including for the cosmetics industry was a huge help in supporting local coconut farmers. The business spans processing the coconuts as well as marketing the final products. She has made a significant capital investment of more than half a million pesos to establish the business. She is very grateful to her mentors who have provided her with encouragement, guidance, and advice during challenging times, including Ms. DJE of DJE's Farm, and Dr. Reggie Macahilo of Mr. DEGA Farm, Engr. Allan Arnoco of Jika Farm and Fields Café Co., and especially her mother who has been her greatest supporter.
Regine's success not only transformed her own life but also had a positive impact on her local community. She employed local farmers and provided them with fair wages, as well as shared her knowledge and expertise to help them improve their farming practices. Additionally, Regine's coco-based products have become a source of pride for the people of Baroy, Lanao del Norte, showcasing the province's natural resources and supporting the local economy.
Looking Forward
Regine's plan for the future involves acquiring her own land and building a dedicated facility to house her business operations. She aims to showcase her products in a wide range of sales channels, including local markets, malls, and supermarkets, to expand her reach and visibility. By becoming an expert in her field, Regine hopes to position herself as a successful agripreneur with a trusted brand, which will allow her to employ more workers and grow her team. To further amplify her business, Regine plans to leverage digital platforms such as Facebook, a dedicated website, and TikTok to increase sales and generate more income.
Lately, she has become more focused and mature in her decision-making process. While her motivation levels fluctuate, with some days filled with drive and others where she feels like giving up, her resilient spirit shines through. Her mantra of "laban lang" (keep fighting) and relentless hustle, 24/7, exemplifies her determination to overcome challenges and achieve her goals.
Inspiring Others to Follow Their Dreams
Today, Regine's Nuez Naturals has become a thriving business, with her products being sold both locally and internationally. Her story has inspired many others, particularly the young people who wanted to try their luck in agriculture, to consider pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams and to see the value in sustainable, nature-based industries.
“Choose your passion wisely, then follow your passion. Remember it is your passion, not your parents or teachers but yours. Then work hard for it. Never lose hope, at the end of the day, new opportunities will come. Also, be grateful for your difficulties and challenges for they hold tremendous blessings. Do not chase time, if you cannot finish something today, there will be always tomorrow, but do not procrastinate”, Regine concluded, sharing some life lessons and business tips.
Regine's journey from nurse to successful agripreneur is a testament to the power of following one's passions and the incredible opportunities that can arise when we are willing to take a risk and step outside of our comfort zones. Her story is a true inspiration to all who dream of turning their passions into a successful and fulfilling career. (Written by: Teodosia D. Jaraba with Vic Thor A. Palarca)
Story by:
