30/06/2026
Lessons in Brilliance: Life, Leadership, and Sisterhood from CEOs Shed Garcia and Glenda Dela Cruz
By Angela Ortinero
In a raw, heartfelt, and laughter-filled first episode of her podcast, Miss Glenda Dela Cruz, founder and CEO of Brilliant Skin Essentials, sat down with her cousin and fellow CEO, Shed Garcia of Perfect Formula, to reflect on their journey from humble beginnings to leading two of the most influential skincare brands in the Philippines. What unfolded was not just a business conversation, but a soul-baring dialogue on resilience, womanhood, sacrifices, and the power of faith and family.
This lifestyle magazine feature distills the key life lessons from their candid talk, lessons that resonate far beyond business and touch on the universal experiences of growth, failure, friendship, and reinvention.
1. From Scratch to CEO: The Power of Starting Small
Both Glenda and Shed came from modest roots. Before she was the powerhouse behind Brilliant Skin Essentials, Glenda sold lipsticks and even flowers for the dead. Shed, meanwhile, was Glenda’s go-to helper—plucking white hairs for five pesos apiece, folding boxes, and doing whatever she could to help out in the early stages of the business.
Their message is simple: greatness can come from the smallest of beginnings. “We started from zero,” Glenda says. “As in, nothing.” And yet, with persistence and vision, they turned that ‘nothing’ into two thriving companies.
The lesson? Don’t wait for the perfect start. Begin where you are, with what you have. Small moves, repeated consistently, create momentum. And sometimes, helping someone build their dream will lead you to discover your own.
To be continued.