Filipina entrepreneurs redefine business through a commitment to environmental and social responsibility

Meet the entrepreneurs committed to sustainability and social justice. From crafting eco-conscious skincare solutions to curating thoughtfully made products rooted in cultural heritage, they combine creativity and social responsibility in each and every business venture.

Nica’s Necessities

With a background in craftsmanship and a deep-seated ethos of upcycling, Veronica Calonsag’s journey as the visionary behind Nica’s Necessities is as inspiring as it is transformative.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare facilities experienced challenges in accessing necessary personal protective equipment. Calonsag’s wife was among the many nurses, doctors, and frontline workers in Los Angeles who faced a shortage of facemasks in the workplace. So, Calonsag took matters into her own hands. Armed with a sewing machine passed down by her mother-in-law, Calonsag began crafting masks with meticulous care. This gesture would eventually blossom into a full-fledged business endeavor called Nica’s Necessities.

Motivated by a desire to make a difference, Calonsag turned her attention to upcycling. She explores innovative ways to repurpose everyday materials and reduce waste. From transforming reclaimed rice bags into stylish bucket hats and fanny packs to crafting fabric koozies and coffee filters, Calonsag’s creations blend cultural heritage with playful, eco-conscious principles. Her upcycled products can also be found in storefronts such as Vintaged LV in Las Vegas, Nevada’s Downtown Container Park, and the Mixed Pantry, a specialty grocery store in Seattle, Washington.

Calonsag’s commitment to sustainability extends far beyond her creative endeavors. It is deeply ingrained in her daily life and personal values, shaped by her Filipino upbringing and a profound respect for the planet. Raised in a household where thriftiness was celebrated as a virtue, Calonsag learned the importance of resourcefulness from a young age.

“It was always about if you don’t need to buy something, don’t. Reuse. I’m first generation, but my parents came here when they were about three or five years old. Their parents taught them to save what they could and not waste it because they come from fairly big families. Every penny counts,” Calonsag said.

Nica's Necessities at Soju Think You Can Dance Season 4. Courtesy: Veronica Calonsag

Drawing inspiration from her cultural roots and personal convictions, Calonsag strives to weave sustainability into every facet of Nica’s Necessities. Whether sourcing eco-friendly packaging or championing compostable materials, Calonsag aims to minimize environmental impact. 

“I strongly believe in being a steward of the Earth. You can’t help cultivate your community and be a good part of it if you’re not taking care of it,” Calonsag said.

Her vision is also grounded in the power of community and social justice. From supporting Black Lives Matter causes, the movement to Free Palestine, and advocating for Asian American rights, Calonsag leverages her business platform to drive meaningful change. Upon launching her website, Calonsag sold Black Lives Matter t-shirts, with 100% of the proceeds allocated to organizations facilitating transportation for voters in underserved communities, particularly those facing logistical challenges in accessing polling stations. Calonsag also donated money to Safewalks, a public safety community initiative founded in 2021 in response to heightened anti-Asian hate violence.

“It’s not about political issues. It’s about human lives. That’s all it boils down to when I see it. Businesses are comprised of humans. As much as I can, when I have the resources, I am uplifting other businesses or organizations that need it,” Calonsag said.

As Nica’s Necessities continues to evolve, Calonsag hopes to inspire others to take action. She reminds entrepreneurs that businesses, no matter the size, have a responsibility to uphold human rights and champion causes that matter.

(Left to right) Kaya Self-Care is a collaboration between family members Carmen Pagsanjan, Anch Pagsanjan, and Nina Pagsanjan. Photo Courtesy: Pagsanjan Family

Kaya Self-Care

Based in New Jersey, Kaya Self-Care crafts sustainable, refillable skincare solutions and advocates for employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

In Tagalog, kaya means “ability” or “able to do something.” The Filipina-led and woman-owned brand is a collaboration between the Pagsanjan family: Anch, her mother, Carmen, and her older sister, Nina, who has neurodivergence and epilepsy. Anch wanted to create a platform that not only celebrated her sister’s creative talents but also provided her with a sense of purpose.

With a background in entrepreneurship and fueled by an affinity for non-toxic skincare, Anch sought to bring a fresh, ecologically conscious perspective into the beauty industry. She challenges the misconception that eco-friendliness demands perfection, advising that the key lies in genuine efforts to offer eco-friendly alternatives within personal care.

“I want to create a brand that’s loyal to its values and always puts people on the planet before profits. I think people really recognize and appreciate and relate to that,” Anch said.

Prioritizing environmental stewardship, Anch underwent thorough research to source the finest, environmentally safe ingredients for Kaya Self-Care’s diverse product range. Notably, their shampoo and lotion bars are exclusively plant-derived, devoid of harmful plastics and chemicals, and thoughtfully packaged in biodegradable materials to mitigate waste production. In November of 2023, the company established a refill station at a local Jersey-based facility, where consumers could replenish household essentials such as laundry and dish soap, thereby reducing the accumulation of plastic waste associated with conventional cleaning products.

Central to Kaya Self-Care’s mission is supporting the recruitment of individuals with intellectual disabilities into a comprehensive training program. Through dedicated team mentorship and networking, individuals are provided a space to acquire, practice, and hone essential workplace skills, enabling them to pursue enriching career opportunities.

“Kaya has helped me to become more independent, to learn something new that I have not done before, and to make even more different kinds of products,” Nina said. “My goal for Kaya is helping other disabled people, helping them to grow, giving them something to do, and giving more support because I know the feeling. They are just like me.”

Nina and Anch urge businesses to be more inclusive of people with disabilities in the workforce and mindful of their needs.

“If you put them in the right environment, if you give them that patience, if you give them that place to grow, they will flourish. I’ve seen it with my sister and want to see it with other people,” Anch said. 

Anch also emphasizes the importance of business owners adopting a proactive stance on social justice issues and bringing attention to causes that impact the welfare of people and the planet. By doing so, consumers gain greater awareness of the ethical considerations behind their purchasing decisions. 

“Even if you have a small customer base, it’s important to take a stand. You’re also creating a new age of businesses, and as they grow, that value will stay and become more influential,” Anch said.

The Pagsanjan family seeks to expand into retail spaces and partner with stores like Whole Foods, MOM’s Organic, Ulta Beauty, and Sephora. Their goal is to implement a “bring-back box” system, which would allow customers to return empty serum bottles to Kaya Self-Care for upcycling after a thorough cleaning and sanitization process. This approach would leverage existing foot traffic in retail spaces and streamline the process of product reuse.

“It’s a lifestyle change, and making our products more accessible will make it easy to make that change,” Anch said.

The path of entrepreneurship can be an exciting yet challenging journey. Nina encourages creatives to stay determined and optimistic even in moments of uncertainty.

“In the beginning, starting a small business can be very frustrating. Sometimes you don’t know the right thing to do,” Nina said. “You need to have hope and faith in yourself, and you will grow even more.”

Alexa, founder of Kurated Kultura and consultant of Road to Zer0 Waste. Photo: Srey Photography

Kurated Kultura

From food and home decor to beauty and pet care, Kurated Kultura curates thoughtfully made products from businesses and makers of Native Hawaiian, Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (NHAAPI) descent.

Founded by Alexa, the Filipina American-owned brand centers the sustainability efforts among environmentally conscious makers while supporting community-driven initiatives.

“We’re helping others make sustainability more accessible and interwoven into their business operations. People must understand that every time they buy something, they’re either supporting someone’s livelihood, their families, and local communities or supporting a big box store,” Alexa said.

Among the brand’s specialty gift boxes include a Filipino Children’s Books Set, a Slow Down Kit, a soon-to-be-released menstrual care box, and a postpartum kit for new mothers. Tailored for dog owners, their K-9 Kit comes with an assortment of items such as dog treats, stickers, and artisanal goods. A portion of the proceeds was donated to the Maui Humane Society to support their relief efforts in caring for injured and displaced animals of the Lahaina fires.

Kurated Kultura’s approach to waste reduction and resource conservation is based on the Four R’s: refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle. Using “refuse” as a primary strategy to mitigate environmental impact, the brand minimizes unnecessary packaging by arranging local pickups with vendors and prioritizing vendors who use sustainable materials in their products. 

Alexa, founder of Kurated Kultura, adjusts items from the “Filipino Kids Gift Box.” Photo: Jasmine Toy

As a sustainability consultant of Road to Zer0 Waste, Alexa works towards implementing a business landscape where companies partner with suppliers committed to reclaiming and repurposing materials. While achieving more sustainable objectives presents challenges, Alexa says adopting a circular economy model can help eliminate waste and regenerate nature.

“If we all do it collectively, then everyone’s going to be taking another step in the right direction, and it’d be better for our descendants, their descendants, and the future kids of everyone,” Alexa said.

Kurated Kultura expanded its offerings by hosting a “Nurturing Night” event in partnership with to address holistic well-being by offering workshops on self-care, spiritual wellness, and financial literacy. In October 2023, Alexa launched “Merienda with the Maker” to make community engagement more accessible nationwide. The Instagram Live series highlights sustainable practices, product offerings, and the experiences of NHAAPI makers.

“We’ll just meet, and it’s to be able to be in community with these folks and a community online, to be able to reach people that can’t meet in person. It’s a little bit more accessible,” Alexa said.

As Alexa continues her work promoting conscious consumerism, she dedicates 2024 to prioritizing radical rest and allowing oneself to embrace a gentler pace of life.

“I really feel called to share my experience as a business owner, interweaving sustainability with my background in finance, tech, and higher education,” Alexa said. “Incorporating sustainability is possible and should be a pillar in businesses. We can make a difference if we collectively move in that direction and be sustainably focused.”