[DETOURS] Tired of being an employee, I became the boss of my own company

Editor’s note: Just when Ingrid thought she finally got her dream job as a junior interior designer, her heart went looking for more. Good thing she was brave enough to follow it. Get to know her story. You, too, can share your life’s greatest detours. Here’s how.

When I graduated college, I was just like every other fresh graduate. I was excited to conquer the “real world,” to sign up for all the job sites, to go on interviews, to meet new people, to learn, and, of course, to earn my own money. 

I landed a job at a construction firm as an account manager. It was my first job but it was never what I really wanted. I wanted to grow and build my career as an interior designer. I looked for another job and got one in an architectural firm as a junior interior designer. At the time, it was all I ever wanted. I designed hotels, offices, residential structures, and even a funeral home. It was exhilarating. 

I worked all day and even at night. I was not home most of the time because of my deadlines. Until I got to a point where it felt like all the excitement has left me. I felt so drained, so tired. My mental health was rapidly deteriorating, I was feeling it physically. I felt stuck, lost, and so down. 

I knew I had a choice: to get myself out or to keep pulling myself down. I decided that instead of dragging myself down any further, I started thinking of what I can do about it. “What do I really want?” I wanted something that I could call mine. Of course, that was easier said than done. I decided that a business of my own was the goal.

As I started thinking of my goal, anxiety crept in. As a person without a business background, I doubted myself. Questions like “Can I really do this?” “Can I handle the pressure of being my own boss?” and even, “Can this decision bring me to where I see myself in the future?” hounded me. However, I didn’t let those doubts and questions stop me. I started researching what I could do, what my skills were, what was available for me to do. Most importantly, where my passion truly is. 

After months of research and development, I was able to launch my first business “Cork.It” in November of 2018.

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Before talking in detail about my businesses, I first want to discuss the “.It” philosophy. The “.It” philosophy aims to promote local artistic talent and sustainability. Understanding that we need to do our part to help reduce the world’s waste and pollution, we at the three different “.it” companies have different approaches to the promotion of sustainability and local artistry.

Cork.It, the first company, was set up as a company that allowed me to use my skills as an artist. Using cork as my base material, we created everyday practical products that are also works of art. The goal was to brighten the days of those who see and use them every day. 

Why cork? It’s one of the most sustainable materials in the world and is also completely biodegradable. To extract the cork from cork oak trees, you may be surprised to hear that not one single tree is cut down, preserving the forests in its pristine entirety. 

Highlighting the versatility of corks, we now have a vast product line that includes earrings, keychains, coasters, magnets, cork pots, mousepads, placemats, lids, corkboards, and we’re still experimenting on more products that we can launch. So far, we already did the giveaways of the Cancer Coalition of the Philippines, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Pag-Ibig Funds, DPWH, Cebu Pacific Airlines, Universal Robina, weddings, birthdays, and many more. Everything I do is hand-cut, hand-drawn, and hand-painted. 

My second “.it” is called “Restore.It”. Building from the success of Cork.It, I planned on launching a new business. Looking through my closet, I found things to throw away because they were old, unused, dull. It then sparked an idea in my mind. In keeping with the “.It” philosophy of reducing waste, I decided to paint some new life into my old things. This gave my old things a whole new look and character that I no longer wanted to get rid of them. Keeping in mind the culture of throwing old things away was prevalent in our society, I decided to make my second business all about that. To restore, and paint new life into old things to prolong their use, and to make the people who see them smile.

I launched my 3rd .ITTT in August 2020 called Mold.It. This started when I was casually walking and I saw all of the papers scattered all over the street. How many pieces of paper are thrown away every day? I researched and found out that every year the Philippines alone discards 4 MILLION tons of papers according to the Manila Times. These used papers mostly end up in our trash bins and our landfills. At Mold.It, I aim to reduce our waste by taking these used papers and turning them into beautiful, fun, eco-friendly, and functional art pieces. 

Everything I do is molded out of 100% recycled papers, giving trash a second life. I’ve already done different designs of trinket dishes and recently, I am experimenting on paper vases. 

This is just the beginning. I went from giving my all to a company that did not recognize me to owning and managing 3 businesses. It shows that hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn and to take risks can be truly worth it in the end. – Rappler.com

Ingrid Resurreccion, 25 years old, graduated with a degree in BS Interior Design at the University of Sto. Tomas in 2016. It took her 3 jobs for her to realize that the corporate world wasn’t for me. She took a leap of faith, trusted herself and her talent to start a business. Cork.It started in 2018 and she’s still a one-woman-team two years later. Restore.It and Mold.It started during the quarantine.