Nurturing Dreams, Serving Purpose: How Two Filipino Entrepreneurs Grew Their Businesses with Sun Life by Their Side

Behind every beloved Filipino food brand is a story of courage, creativity, and resilience. For Chef Czarina Sevilla, owner of Avocadoria, and Wendy Villanueva, owner of Wilmar’s Taho, building a brand meant transforming vibrant local flavors into thriving enterprises.

These women prove that success in entrepreneurship is built on passion, purpose, and planning for the future. Despite their different origins, both entrepreneurs share a common partner in their journey towards business growth: Sun Life.

 

Avocadoria: From a Simple Idea to a National Craze

For Chef Czarina Sevilla, Avocadoria was born from a desire to elevate the familiar. “We wanted to turn something familiar into something healthier, more meaningful, and proudly local,” she shared. What began as a simple idea has blossomed into a brand recognized locally for its creamy, avocado-based delights.

Avocadoria’s rise was fast, but its growth was intentional. Guided by the values of quality, consistency, and care, Chef Czarina made sure every product they served reflected the team’s dedication. However, the rapid growth of the business also brought hurdles. “Our biggest challenge was scaling while maintaining quality,” said Chef Czarina. “But we addressed this by strengthening our systems, training people well, and planning ahead especially in managing costs and risks.”

As the business grew, Chef Czarina realized the importance of protecting everything she has built, including her people, her operations, and her future. This motivated her to engage with Sun Life for their business protection and financial planning solutions. “Knowing we had proper coverage from Sun Life gave us the confidence to expand and invest in growth because risks were already planned for,” Chef Czarina explained.

Today, Avocadoria proudly operates multiple local and international branches. With Sun Life, Chef Czarina can enjoy peace of mind as she continues to serve her customers and grow her business.

 

Wilmar’s Taho: A Legacy Reimagined 

Wendy Villanueva, owner of Wilmar’s Taho, was focused on keeping a thirty-year legacy moving forward. She runs the business guided by the values of integrity, consistency, and care. Started by her parents in

1990, the business faced its greatest test during the pandemic.

“I decided to sell taho online so that the business could continue and reach more customers,” Wendy recalls. Navigating local government regulations to ensure her vendors were classified as “essential” was a challenging task, but her commitment to her employees and her family’s heritage kept her driven. Supported by her husband and her family, Wendy transitioned the traditional street-side staple into a modern, digitally accessible brand.

For Wendy, partnering with Sun Life was about community and credibility. Beyond financial security, her relationship with Sun Life opened doors for the brand to reach new heights. “Being a Sun Life Client gave me opportunities like being invited to sell at the One Sun Life Congress,” she said. “It helped promote Wilmar’s Taho and build our brand’s credibility. This was our second time to serve Sun Lifers, and it’s always a pleasure to be a part of this community.”

With her personal and business finances secured, Wendy can focus on the future of Wilmar’s Taho, knowing that the legacy her parents started decades ago is strengthened for the next generation.

 

Future-Proof Your Business Today 

The stories of Chef Czarina and Wendy highlight an important lesson for every Filipino entrepreneur: the best time to protect your business is while it is thriving. By choosing Sun Life, these two leaders have ensured that their dreams are shielded from the unexpected, allowing them to focus on what they do best – serving the flavors that Filipinos love.

 

To know more about Sun Life’s products and services for business owners, visit sunlife.co/entrepfinancialplan or talk to a Sun Life Financial Advisor today.