Ruby Cariso never set out to be a “mompreneur.” She started as a busy mother juggling routines, household budgets, and the ever‑present worry of how to stretch every peso. Today, she’s celebrated as one of Lazada’s standout success stories, a Filipina entrepreneur whose humble ₱2,000 investment in printing has grown into a thriving online business empire.
The “Why Not Try?” Moment
Ruby’s journey began with a simple question: What if she used her spare time and old printers to earn instead of sitting idle? She already had access to basic printing equipment from past side projects, so she started by posting a simple offer on Lazada: custom‑printed shirts, bags, and backpacks made to order.
Her first few months were lean. She handled everything herself, designing mock‑ups, coordinating with print shops, packing orders, and cajoling friends and family to leave the first reviews. But she was relentless: she tweaked designs based on feedback, improved photos, and learned to respond to customers fast. Slowly, orders trickled in; then, they began to arrive in waves.
Building DesignPlus: More Than Just a Store
As demand grew, Ruby’s small listing evolved into DesignPlus, a recognizable brand known for personalized tees, bags, and school‑themed items. She didn’t chase fancy logos or flashy offices; instead, she focused on quality, reliability, and customization, the three things budget‑conscious parents and students cared about most.
Her secret weapon was community trust. She leaned into social proof:
- Happy customers sharing photos of their printed shirts on Facebook.
- Schools and orgs are using her work for reunions, sports events, and debut projects.
- Repeat buyers who treated her store as their “go‑to” for last‑minute gifts and promo items.
Gradually, DesignPlus became more than a side hustle; it became the family’s primary source of income, eventually funding long‑term plans, extra schooling, and even home upgrades.
The Mompreneur Mindset
What makes Ruby’s story stand out is how she wears her identity as a mother and an entrepreneur at the same time. She speaks openly about sleepless nights before big sales events, the stress of inventory management, and the guilt of trading family time for deliveries. Yet she also talks about the quiet pride of telling her kids, “Mama’s work is paying for this.”
Her takeaway for other aspiring online sellers is simple:
- Start with what you have. “You don’t need a big capital; you just need a good idea and a little courage.”
- Listen to your customers. “If they keep asking for the same thing, it’s a sign, not a complaint.”
- Keep learning. “Every failed design or slow season is a lesson, not a dead end.”
A New Role Model for Filipino Sellers
Today, Ruby is often cited in e‑commerce features and women‑in‑business roundups as a symbol of what a single mom with a laptop, a printer, and determination can achieve in the Philippines’ booming digital marketplace. Her story reminds readers that a modern Filipino SME doesn’t always begin in a mall or a factory; it can start in a living room, powered by a simple question: “If I can print, why not sell?”
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