Businesswoman Nikki Palad is proof that passion is a key element to achieving success.
At 30, Nikki has opened her own luxury boutique shop, Baggage PH.
But she is quick to point out that her success didn’t happen overnight.
Nikki opened up about her story in an exclusive Zoom interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
NIKKI PALAD: FROM RAKETERA TO BAGGAGEPH FOUNDER
Nikki began her entrepreneurial journey in 2019 as an online seller while raising her one-year-old child at home.
“Yung kid ko noon, one-year-old lang, breastfeeding mom ako.
“Gusto ko lagi akong nasa bahay kaya naghanap ako ng way na magnegosyo ulit nung nasa bahay lang. Kaya napunta ako sa online world.”
Starting with a capital of PHP40,000, she began selling designer bags sourced from the U.S., focusing on accessible designer brands through her online shop.
Over time, the business expanded into a full-scale luxury sourcing venture.
“Nag-start ako sa naging reseller mo na ng Michael Kors, Coach from U.S. Michael Kors and Coach bags, dun yun nag-start.
“And then after a year na naging okay, nag-start ako with the Gucci outlets. And then yun na, nagsimula na ako… nag-Louis Vuitton na, dire-diretso na.”
Even before launching her online shop, Nikki already had a natural flair for selling.
She recalled: “Ten years old pa lang ako, katulong na ako ni lola sa carinderia. Kaya talagang, ano… wala, mas gusto ko talaga magbenta.
“Noong college ako, nagtitinda ako ng mga Jansport bags, lahat-lahat binebenta ko. And then, yun na… So lahat ng binebenta ko, nagiging okay.
“And then, kapag may bazaar sa mga condo… Nagtitinda ako ng mga french fries, hotdogs. Doon, nakikita ko na okay yung magnegosyo. Kaya doon ako napunta sa online.”
In 2023, Nikki reached a major milestone by opening a physical store for Baggage PH at Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, strengthening the brand’s presence beyond online selling.
“Gusto ko yung integrity, yung trustworthiness ng brand… we are setting footprints sa market kasi. So kapag nagse-set ka na ng footprints sa market, dapat nandoon lahat. Kaya nag-store kami.
“Kailangan ma-reach out na namin buong Pilipinas… na yung Baggage PH is a trustworthy business na puwede silang mag-purchase ng luxury items nila sa amin.”
She continued, “Pinili ko talaga si Cloverleaf kasi gitna siya ni NLEX at ni SLEX… kasi mostly ng mga madam [clients[ namin is provincial…Eighty percent of our clients is from province.”
NOOD KA MUNA!
NIKKI PALAD: LESSONS LEARNED ALONG THE WAY
Nikki’s success didn’t happen overnight—it was built through years of hands-on experience and continuous learning.
Along the way, she picked up valuable insights that she now shares with aspiring entrepreneurs.
Here are some of them:
BE CLIENT-CENTRIC
Her journey has been driven by persistence and a strong customer-first mindset—something she considers a non-negotiable in business.
“Client-centric ka dapat. Kung anong gusto ng kliyente, susundin mo.
“Kahit ano kapag kinailangan niya yung isang bagay ng ganitong timeline, kailangan mong ibigay,” she said.
BUILD TRUST CONSISTENTLY AND MAINTAIN IT
For Nikki, building trust has been especially crucial in the online selling space.
Hence, she would personally meet clients to deliver the orders.
“Kailangan ko ma-build yung trust nung mga client. Kaya talagang pinupuntahan ko pa sila… Kaya agad nakikipag-meet up ako. Yun yung challenge… And of course, pandemic pa nung time na yun.
“Talagang niri-reach out ko talaga yung mga clients just to have their peace of mind na original yung binebenta namin.”
Nikki told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that she goes the extra mile—literally—by traveling abroad to source products firsthand.
“Kailangan talaga very trustworthy ka… Dapat zero chances na magda-doubt sila.
“Kaya nag-go-go beyond measures na ako. Nagta-travel ako. Nagvi-video ako sa mismong store… inaayos ko talaga pangalan ko.
“Ang isa rin sa pinakaimportante, hindi nila nafi-feel na iniisahan mo sila. Dapat feel nila yung value nung pagkabili nila.”
MASTER THE CRAFT AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO LEARN MORE
Part of her success also comes from mastering global outlet sourcing.
Nikki proudly mentioned her travels across Europe multiple times to identify the best deals and build relationships with store staff.
“Inikot ko buong Europe… para sa mga outlets and best deals. Siyempre, bago mo makuha yung best deal doon, dapat nakapunta ka na nang ilang beses. Nakilala mo na yung staff doon.”
She added that knowing global price points helps her secure the most competitive offers for clients.
“Dapat makita mo yung lahat ng prices around the world kung ano ba yung pinakamura talaga… yung pinaka-maximum sale ng isang product yun ang kukunin ko.
“Kaya nasasabi namin we are the best and lowest price guaranteed talaga.”
Beyond sourcing, Nikki said she invested in her own growth by studying fashion styling at FAD International Dubai.
“Nag-aral ako ng short course sa fashion styling sa Dubai nung 2023… para every time na nag-a-ask sila ng bag, depende yun sa character nila.
“Nare-recommend ko yung best… kasi may iba-ibang klase ng tao.”
WORK WITH A TRUSTED TEAM
Behind her growing business is also a strong support system. Nikki works closely with trusted staff—many of whom she has known since the beginning.
“Lahat ng staff ko… wala kaming outside people na hindi ko talaga kakilala simula nung una pa lang.
“Kailangan talaga 100% trusted mo yung kasama mo. Otherwise, magkakaroon ng problema.”
Her husband, Ray Angelo Palad, a fellow entrepreneur, has also played a key role in her journey.
Nikki told PEP, “Blessing talaga na parehas kaming magkatulong sa negosyo. Parehas kaming nagtutulungan. So parang power couple.”
BE PATIENT
For women—especially moms—who want to start their own business, Nikki emphasizes patience and learning to embrace the journey.
She said, “Start small talaga. Kasi kapag doon ka nagsimula, sa pinakamaliit, alam mo kung paano hawakan yung pinakamalaki.
“Hindi ako nagmamadali sa success na sinasabi ng lahat… gusto ko lang i-cherish nila yung growing part… kasi yung journey na yun, yun yung magpapatatag sa iyo.”
HER BIG DREAM
Meanwhile, as Baggage PH continues to expand, Nikki aims to make it a go-to destination for luxury outlet finds in the Philippines.
“Big dream sa Baggage PH, gusto kong maging go-to sa luxury items especially the outlet items…
“Gusto ko matatak sa utak ng mga tao na hindi na nila kailangan pumunta, mag-travel ng two to four hours sa mga outlet store… dahil may Baggage PH na silang pupuntahan dito sa Pilipinas.”
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