Mico Joy Ligon is not your ordinary single mom. She is a beacon of resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit, making waves in the world of business and inspiring others with her remarkable journey. Despite facing challenges, Mico Joy has emerged as one of the finalists in “Gawad Madiskarte,” an award body that recognizes hardworking moms with entrepreneurial prowess.

The 28-year-old’s entrepreneurial journey began with a simple yet innovative idea. After recovering from a three-month battle with COVID-19 and facing heavy financial burdens, she found herself in desperate need of a source of income to provide for herself and her child. “Wala tayong kakainin by tomorrow! Wala akong pera, wala akong trabaho. What can I do? (We have nothing to eat by tomorrow! I have no money, no work. What can I do?),” Mico asked herself while battling anxiety.

It was during this challenging time that the idea of starting an online direct selling second hand clothing store, called Outfit Repeaters PH, was born. The concept stemmed from her initial success in selling her own outfits and her son’s old baby clothes online. Encouraged by this positive experience, Mico Joy decided to expand her business by tapping into the thriving online market for preloved clothing. With only PhP2000 in her purse and a strong determination to succeed, she took a leap of faith and launched her online “Ukay-Ukay” business in 2022.

Mico built on the knowledge that many people, like herself, bought and sold preloved clothes online. She then fused her experience of wearing Baguio’s “ukay (thrift clothes)” and her strong background of 7 years working in sales and applied her learnings in her new project.

Her business strategy was simple yet effective. Leveraging her community connections in a 37-building condominium complex, Mico Joy targeted her neighbors as her primary customers. This grassroots approach allowed her to establish a loyal customer base and gain valuable insights into the needs and preferences of her community.

Despite facing challenges along the way, including being scammed not just once but three times and losing her initial capital, Mico Joy remained unfazed. Her resilience and positive outlook enabled her to overcome these setbacks and continue building her business. She learned from her experiences, adapted her strategies, and never lost sight of her ultimate goal. “My one goal is that I need income from my own business. My small success at the start is what keeps me going,” shares Ligon.

One of the humorous anecdotes from her journey was her initial struggle with sourcing products. Her only supplier at the time offered thick winter jackets, which seemed impractical for a tropical country like the Philippines. However, Mico Joy turned this challenge into an opportunity by discovering that many of her neighbors worked in cold environments in the BPO industry. This unexpected demand for winter jackets in a tropical setting turned out to be a blessing in disguise, highlighting Mico Joy’s ability to turn obstacles into opportunities.

Her perseverance and innovative thinking paid off, leading to the success of her online business. With a combination of optimism, prayers, and hard work, she gradually saved up and expanded her business. Her dedication and entrepreneurial spirit caught the attention of “Gawad Madiskarte,” earning her a well-deserved spot as one of the finalists in the prestigious award.

Mico’s words of wisdom for moms who are a bit afraid to start a business. “Just start, we never know kung saan tayo dadalhin. Pwedeng mawala si money, pwedeng malugi, but the lessons you will learn along the way… hindi mo mababayaran yon (Just start, we never know where it will take us. Money could be lost, business can fail, but the lessons you will learn along the way… that’s priceless). “You cannot purchase that in a course, in a school,” advises the owner of Outfit Repeaters PH.

Mico Joy’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the entrepreneurial spirit. Her story serves as an inspiration to single mothers and aspiring entrepreneurs, showing that with perseverance and a positive mindset, anything is possible. Her recent achievement of opening her own first physical store in Nueva Ecija is a testament to her continued growth and success in the business world.

As she continues to pave the way for others with her entrepreneurial success, Mico Joy Ligon is truly a shining example of resilience, strength, and the unwavering spirit of a mother determined to create a better future for her family. And she hopes her fellow mompreneurs in the Madiskarte Moms PH learn from her experience.