From Taping to Live Selling, Kiray Celis Reveals Where She Truly Earned More
KIRAY CELIS – After years in showbiz, Kiray Celis revealed that her biggest financial breakthrough did not come from acting but from entrepreneurship.
Kiray Celis is proving that success can take many forms. Once known primarily for her acting career, she is now thriving as an entrepreneur, and she is unapologetic about the path she has chosen.
At a recent Thanksgiving gathering for Purple Hearts, the actress-turned-businesswoman addressed critics who belittled her shift to online selling. She candidly shared how some people looked down on her new venture. “May nag-comment nang naglilive ako — sabi ‘yuck online seller na lang’. Gusto ko sabihin, ‘doon umayos buhay ko.’ Hindi siya online seller lang. Hindi ko kaya sabihin yung ‘lang’ kasi doon umayos buhay ng pamilya ko,” she said at the event.
For Celis, online selling has not just been a side hustle; it has been life-changing. She emphasized that the financial stability she gained from her business surpassed what she earned from years of taping. “Hindi ko kaya bumili ng gamit kahit mag-taping ng matagal. ‘Di ko kaya Land Cruiser, ng van sa mama ko, ‘di ko kaya. Ang dami ‘di ko kaya kung taping lang,” she explained. “Lahat ito online lang kaya hindi siya ‘lang,’ hindi siya ‘yuck,’ at ‘di siya nakakadiri.”
Today, her earnings allow her to shoulder responsibilities she once could not. “Ngayon ako na nagpapaaral sa mga pamangkin ko lahat, dati baon baon lang. Dahil sa ‘online lang’ na sinasabi nila. Kaya salamat sa patuloy bumibili ng products ko,” she shared gratefully.
Despite her business success, Celis recognizes that her showbiz background helped build trust with customers. “Iba rin pakiramdam kasi na kaya sila bumibili kasi kilala na nila ako bilang artista. Mas madali magbenta kasi ako si Kiray na artista,” she admitted.
While she remains open to acting opportunities, she intends to accept projects only when her schedule allows her full focus. For now, she is concentrating on expanding Kiray Brands with her husband, Stephan Estopia. She described his crucial role behind the scenes, managing operations and inventory.
Beyond business, Celis also reflected on her love life and upbringing. She revealed that during their courtship, she and Estopia “never” went on a date alone due to her mother’s strict supervision. Even during their honeymoon, they were not used to being by themselves.
Her mother’s protective presence defined much of her early career. “Nanay ko sobrang strict. Mama ko hindi nawawala ‘yan sa mga taping ko. Natigil lang ng pandemic. Kasi siyempre natakot ako. Kasi senior na parents ko. Doon nag start yung hindi na ako samahan,” she explained. “Pero ever since from 3 years old to pandemic, sobrang bantay sarado.”
Through it all, Celis stands firm: online selling is not “just” anything, it is the foundation of her family’s improved life.
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