At the heart of the cultural city of Silay in Negros Occidental, while feasting on the aroma of sugarcane plantations and the historical whispers of the old houses and museums, resides a former Manila girl who has found her true calling.
Melrose, the woman on the run, is the first of the two daughters of Silay-bred Rachel Dormitorio. It is in Silay where Melrose’s journey led her to a life embraced by love – for her husband, two young daughters, and thriving businesses.
Melrose boasts of a solid educational foundation, having earned a degree in BS Tourism Management. Her entrepreneurial inclinations were a product of her hardworking parents’ upbringing. Her father is an engineer while her mother, Rachel, thanks to her, exposed her and her younger sister to the world of beauty and fashion very early on in life.
Fashion Afficionado
Fond childhood memories abound of trendy clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories, shaping her as a fashion aficionado.
Married to a seafarer, Melrose is making waves in her gown rental business, Amarah Eliezer’s Gowns and Suits.
Moreover, she and her husband also co-manage their delivery business SC Food Riders - Silay City. I first encountered Melrose on my first trip to Bacolod where I accompanied media friends.
Melrose, who once immersed in the modeling profession in her younger years, exudes beauty, grace, and finesse. We visited her shop, and amidst the racks of different gorgeous gowns and dapper ensembles, she talked with humility about the evolutions of her businesses despite the growing number of her clientele.
Multi-Tasking Maven
Her journey towards entrepreneurship was not paved with gold from the beginning. Reminiscing about how she established the business, she wittingly revealed that it was conceived when her own wedding gown became sought-after among the neighborhood gals who were ready to say their vows. I could only visualize what a sight she was to behold during her wedding.
Due to the persistent demands year after year, she felt there was an untapped market she could fill in. Thus, Amarah Eliezer was born, named after her firstborn.
Later on, she expanded the business by offering rental services to wedding entourages. She is a hands-on entrepreneur.
She also ensures to keep up with the trends and pours out her creativity and innovativeness. She informs herself of the latest trends here and abroad. She engages in social media exposure, out-of-town events, mall expos, fashion shows, and sponsorships in local events.
She has done all of these while juggling the different roles she performs; she is a multitasking maven.
Melrose’s story is a testament that finding one’s niche and constantly honing it is an essential piece for entrepreneurial success. A woman on the run is a woman driven by love and ambition.
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