UnaCash Celebrates International Women’s Day by Promoting Supportive Growth Environments for Women

UnaCash, an in-app and in-store financial services provider, celebrates the invaluable contribution of women entrepreneurs and professionals in line with International Women’s Day .  This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action”, serves as a call to enhance gender equality and support the advancement of women in business.

Women have increasingly taken on vital roles in the financial sector and have contributed to economic growth. McKinsey’s Diversity Matters Even More report indicates that companies with female representation exceeding 30 percent are more likely to achieve superior financial performance compared to those with less. These companies are also seen to demonstrate higher adaptability in competitive markets.

In line with this momentum, UnaCash highlights three women who embody the resilience and talent necessary to thrive in the industry, showcasing their contributions and commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment.

Building a supportive work environment

Niña Ocillo co-founded KN Rider Helmet Trading with Kyna Benito and actively oversees daily operations in their Marikita City location. Ocillo rarely has weekends off, often choosing to meticulously check on the inventory and evaluate the store’s daily performance after working hours. Her commitment to customer engagement and staff motivation is not just about driving business; it’s about empowering her team to do their best. Her experience reflects not only her entrepreneurial spirit but also the larger trend of women breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry. However, maintaining excellence for the business has its challenges too.

“Unang-una, ang pisikal na aspeto…talagang mabigat ang mga stock at deliveries, lalo na’t kakaunti lang ang staff ko,” Ocillo shared. “Kasama na rin dito ang pag-handle ng mga staff kasi iba’t-ibang pinanggagalingan nila at kailangan ko kilalanin ng mabuti para maintindihan ko sila.”

(First of all, the physical aspect in this industry (is challenging) due to the weight of the items and deliveries, especially since we have limited manpower from our end.” Ocillo shares. “This also includes managing the staff since they come from different backgrounds, and I need to get to know them well in order to understand them.”)

Recognizing the challenges women team members face, Ocillo takes on a proactive approach to mentorship which guides the staff to overcome obstacles and at the same time, foster a supportive atmosphere in the store.

“Ine-encourage ko sila na hindi hadlang ang pagiging babae sa kahit anong aspeto ng trabaho. Kasama nito ang pagbahagi ko sa kanila ang aking karanasan na ang isang matagumpay na negosyante ay isang risk-taker at handa lagi sa anumang pagsubok, kahit ano pa ang kanilang gender.” (“I encourage them that being a woman is not a barrier in any aspect of work. Alongside this, I also share my experience that a successful entrepreneur is a risk-taker and always ready for any challenges, regardless of their gender.”) 

Her story inspires other women entrepreneurs to pursue their goals, demonstrating that resilience and dedication can lead to success, regardless of the challenges faced.

Navigating career and motherhood

Lyka Pahit, a Sales Merchant Specialist at UnaCash, offers a unique perspective to enhance the customer experience. She advocates for a strong support system in the workplace and the importance of effective leadership from colleagues. As a single mother, Pahit highlights that the right support helps women thrive and drives overall business success, fostering an environment where they can excel in their careers.

Pahit’s commitment to this cause is deeply rooted in her own experiences during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. She found herself in a position where she was the sole provider for her whole family as a former cashier and bagger in a local supermarket.

“Sinasabihan ko na lang ang sarili ko noon na kakayanin ko. Nilalakad ko mula Marikina hanggang Eastwood para makapasok lang sa trabaho,” Pahit recalls, reflecting on a time when her determination was put to the test. “Dahil sa walang mintis na pagpasok ko sa trabaho, dito ako na-regular. Doon din ako nakaipon dahil sa (commute) allowance at nakabili ng secondhand na bike para gamitin pangpasok.” 

(“I used to tell myself that I could make it. I would walk from Marikina to Eastwood just to get to work,” Pahit recalls, reflecting on a time when her determination was put to the test. “Because I never missed a shift, I was able to secure a regular position. I also saved money from my (commute) allowance and bought a secondhand bike to use for getting to work.”)

During this time, she left her then-two-year-old and three-year-old toddlers to her parents, and constantly had to go through the questions from her children and explaining to them why it is necessary to leave and work. They would often tell her to just stay at home, which left a painful pang in her heart, as they chased her moments before leaving for work.

“Kapag pumapasok, challenge po iyon bilang nanay. Although nariyan ang parents ko para umalalay sa akin, sa kanila talaga ako humuhugot ng lakas lalo na sa mga anak ko,” Pahit asserts with determination. (“Getting to work is a challenge as a mother. Even though my parents are there to support me, I truly draw strength from them, especially for my children,” Pahit asserts with determination.)

Despite the numerous challenges, her unwavering attitude has helped her reach this point in her life, as she strives to provide a better future for her kids.

“For me, talagang mahalaga ang mga kababaihan sa industriya, lalo na sa panahon ngayon kung saan marami ang mga single mother. Mahalaga na makahanap ng trabaho na nagbibigay ng saya at hindi nakakapagod dahil masaya ka sa ginagawa mo. Dito ko din napatunayan at masasabi ko na ang karamihan sa mga gawaing ginagawa ng mga lalaki ay kayang-kaya rin ng mga babae,” Pahit said.

(“For me, women are truly important in the industry, especially today when many are single mothers. It is essential to find a job that brings joy and isn’t exhausting because you enjoy what you do. Here, I have also proven and can say that most women can also do as much as men do,” Pahit said.) 

Pahit further emphasizes on the importance of having a supportive work environment, especially for women who are juggling multiple responsibilities while striving for professional success. The journey reinforces the idea that when women support each other, it creates a nurturing environment that pushes everyone to excel.

Success through nurturing leadership

In her role as the head of retail of Save ‘N Earn Wireless (SNE), a chain of telco retail stores known as a one-stop shop for gadgets in Bohol, Monica Jean Roldan has positioned the company as a leader in the market within the area. Despite the competitive space, Roldan addresses that aside from women, business owners in general should support each other. In order for this to thrive and to grow, businesses must foster a collaborative environment where businesses need to build a connection to better serve their customers.

According to Roldan, this was also their way of looking out for the people that they have been working with in general which also became the reason why she pursued her current path with the family business. Learning how to realize the personal goals of their employees will help the business grow, despite certain challenges in the industry.

“It’s very challenging to be creative because we have to play within the limitations of the brands that we carry,” Roldan shares. “But the biggest challenge I’ve found over the years since I started and up to today is really managing people. I don’t think I’ve met a business owner who hasn’t struggled with managing people because now, they’re also changing. People’s priorities started to change, and as a business, how do you react to those changes?”

Roldan’s approach to leadership at SNE emphasizes the significance of understanding and supporting the people within the business. It highlights how essential it is for women and business owners to empower one another.

Building on this, Roldan shares a powerful insight into why women excel in leadership roles.

“I would say kasi the one thing about women that make them very good at being bosses or in being in business is they’re very nurturing. Women are naturally nurturing, that’s a strong point,” Roldan shares. “It’s a very good compliment with men. Men are very direct, very driven, very goal oriented. Women are goal oriented, pero meron din silang part that they need to carry their people with them towards the goal. So maganda yung role ng babae sa isang workplace because they’re going to nurture your people and give a different perspective to any businesses trying to reach their goal.”

 (“I would say that the one thing about women that make them very good at being bosses or in being in business also is they’re very nurturing. Women are naturally nurturing, that’s a strong point,” Roldan shares. “It’s a very good compliment with men. Men are very direct, very driven, very goal oriented. Women are goal oriented, but a part of them consists of the need to carry their people with them towards that goal. So the role of women in the workplace is important because they’re going to nurture your people and give a different perspective to any businesses trying to reach their goal.”)

Creating an environment where women can openly thrive

The stories of Ocillo, Pahit, and Roldan illustrate the power of a supportive network and shared experiences in overcoming obstacles. It is essential to highlight the importance of collective efforts in advancing gender equality across all industries.  Businesses are encouraged to foster an inclusive working environment that prioritizes career development, mentorship, and equal opportunities for women.

UnaCash honors the vital contributions women make to the financial services industry. By supporting their professional journeys and advocating for inclusive practices, this is a vital step toward empowering women and enabling their continued success. ###

Note to Editors: Responses in Filipino have been edited for clarity.

About UnaCash

UnaCash offers people-centric, in-app and in-store digital financial solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Filipinos. Its ‘Buy now, Pay later’ service has been upgraded to include point-of-sale loans, accessible via online and in-store partner merchants.

With the help of analytics and data-driven technologies, UnaCash is driven to continuously improve products and develop new services that will bridge critical financial gaps in the Philippines. The UnaCash app is available through the Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery.

UnaCash services have been recognized by outstanding organizations from 2023 to 2024, namely the Global Business Magazine, The Global Economics, Global Business & Finance Magazine, International Finance, Retail Banker International, World Business Outlook, and The Digital Banker.