Grace Abigail Custodio-Bagatsing

Grace Abigail Custodio-Bagatsing is a talented sales director and philanthropist currently residing in California. She uses her people-centric focus to help her team get to the heart of what customers need and provide them with winning business solutions. Her international experience allows her to excel in her roles as a manager and consultant for companies all over the globe.
Although she strives to put her all into her career, she saves energy for charitable activities that serve underprivileged children. Through her efforts, she aims to improve the overall wellbeing of kids living in the Philippines, United States, and beyond.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

I’ve always enjoyed wearing accessories and seeing people taking the time to adorn themselves with pretty things. I think it’s a form of art, elegance, and self-expression. It’s a great mood enhancer and picker-upper especially if you don’t quite like what you are wearing for the day, then you just add a little jewelry on you and see how it changes the whole look.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I wake up at 5 am and start the day with prayers and meditation. This is when I express my gratitude to God and develop a positive mindset for the day. Most of my creative ideas come to me at this time. The first couple of hours are dedicated purely to work. The cellphone is silent from calls and texts. No checking of social media.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I let my imagination take over and run freely. I don’t place any expectation on the outcome, just letting images flow through my mind and see which ones catch my fancy. I love the classic looks but at the same time, I am also attracted to art deco.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Wearing necklaces in layers. There is something powerful and feminine when a woman wears multiple strands of necklaces on her neck.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Reading lots of books on businesses, creativity, and self-help books. I learn a lot from reading books authored by successful people on businesses, on pursuing your passion as well as how-to’s books relating to self-care and running your own business.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Pursue your passion. No matter how trivial it may seem, there is something in there that will ignite your soul and will make you happy. Nowadays, more and more people of all ages are doing something they like and making money out of it! You can see it all over Instagram and Tiktoks. I am amazed how people are having so much fun doing the things they love and making money out of it.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Dress up and show up. More so if you are feeling down, get dressed nicely and your mood will lift up, even if for a bit.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Know your numbers. You have to intimately know the money coming in and going out to be able to continue what you love doing. There’s a creative side you need to nurture as well as a business side you need to maintain.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Networking and social media.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Work closely with your accountant. As the business owner, you must know the numbers by heart, and work well with your accountant to help you track down unnecessary expenses and losses, and to identify the key income-generating items.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

People love receiving free gifts along with the items they purchased, especially online buyers. They get thrilled when they receive a little note of thanks from the seller, along with a gift, and more so if the packaging is nice.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I bought materials to make resin jewelry. I feel like a kid with a new craft to learn and master. You can easily create your own designs as you please with it. I enjoy making them and giving them away as gifts to close family and friends.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Social media is a great way to promote your products, as well as a fun way to learn more about other new products out there and what is trending.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud. It will make you take an honest look at your life and what needs to be changed for you to improve your life.

What is your favorite quote?

The sun never says to the earth,
“You owe Me.”
Look what happens with
A love like that,
It lights the Whole Sky.”
― Hafiz

I believe there is power and healing in unconditional love..