Thia Thomalla celebrates first year of ‘Ayumi’ franchise; reveals wedding and future plans
The atmosphere was light and relaxing at Ayala Malls The 30th as beauty queen-actress-turned-entrepreneur Thia Thomalla celebrated the branch blessing of her Ayumi franchise. Surrounded by family and friends, Miss Eco-International 2018 and now businesswoman, shared her excitement about this new milestone.
“So, today we’re celebrating Ayumi Ayala Malls The 30th. This is my first franchise with Ayumi. Since last year hindi pa kami nakapag-blessing. Today we’re celebrating and we’re giving thanks to all the supporters of our clients,” Thomalla explained, radiating happiness.
The Ayumi Difference: A Touch of Japanese Artistry
For those unfamiliar, Ayumi offers specialized beauty services with a focus on Japanese techniques. “Ayumi is an art studio. We specialize in the Japanese techniques for the lashes and nails. Kaya number one ‘to sa lashes since yung technique niya is different from others. This was studied and created talaga in Japan, and brought here,” Thomalla clarified.
When asked about the unique qualities of Ayumi’s lash services, she emphasized the natural, lightweight feel, “It really depends on what you want eh, kasi like we have so many lashes available and lahat na sila ay lightweight. So kahit gusto nyo medyo mas pageant look, pwede pa din pero lightweight pa rin. Ang maganda dito sa amin, when you have it removed, hindi sasama ang real lashes ninyo.”
Clarifying the longevity of the lashes, she said, “It can last for 3 weeks to a month, depending on how good you can take care of it.” Regarding her own lashes she stated, “I am wearing, pero dinagdagan ko lang ngayon kasi hindi ko napa-retouch kahapon.”
Beyond lashes, Ayumi also provides eyebrow lamination and nail services. “Meron lang kami yung eyebrow lamination. Which is ilalaminate yung eyebrows mo, but it’s not permanent. Kasi others are looking for like a microblading or tattoo. We don’t have that. It’s just yung natural hair mo, ifoform namin. And it will be sculpted in the way you want. And it can last for a month, as long as you don’t brush it,” Thomalla added.
From Pageant Queen to Entrepreneur: A Learning Journey
Thomalla’s venture with Ayumi marks her first major business undertaking. “During the pandemic I tried small things, but this is like the real thing. So yes, my first business,” she confirmed.
She described her experiences as a business owner so far by stating, “It’s fun, kasi ang dami mo malelearn and even by being an entrepreneur, there’s so many people, staff, iba-iba yung ugali. Even the clients, iba-iba yung ugali. So ako kasi naturally natutuwa ko sa ganyan, observing people, learning how they respond. So ‘dun sa part na ‘yun nag-enjoy ako.”
While her family background wasn’t in business, she found guidance from her fiancé’s family and Beautéderm Founder and President Rhea Anicoche-Tan. “Okay, so sa side sa family ko, wala. So zero knowledge ako. I’m just grateful kasi yung fiancé ko, he comes from a family who is into business. So sila po na yung nag-ga-guide sa akin. And even Mommy Rei [Rhea Anicoche-Tan], from Beautéderm, if I had questions about other business stuff, palaging sumasagot sa akin. So grateful ako kasi I’m surrounded by good people.”
File photo of Beautéderm CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan with Thia
Thomalla’s connection with Ayumi began long before she considered franchising. “Actually, I discovered Ayumi noong 2017 because ‘yung friend ko from Miss World Philippines when I joined, after that she introduced this to me kasi i-try ko daw bago ako umalis for Egypt. So sabi ko, sige, ita-try ko. Then I tried it. But then I realized, medyo mahirap to kasi wala mag-retouch sa akin sa Egypt. So nagustuhan ko siya in terms of traveling. Kasi it’s easy na, you just wake up, you put on blush-on, you’re good to go. So dun ako natutuwa.”
One crucial lesson Thomalla has learned as a business owner is about financial management. “I think handling finances ang dami ko natutunan. Kasi medyo, dati mahilig ako mag-shopping. Pag once na-stress ako, shopping ako ahad. Ngayon parang hindi na, mas tight na ako. I spend more wisely ngayon. And like, look into things I can reuse. And you know, stay away from shopping centers.”
Wedding Bells and Future Plans
Beyond business, Thomalla is also planning her wedding. “It’s good naman. I’m enjoying the [wedding] planning. Medyo mabilis naman yung gagawin. The wedding will be this year. So, yeah, I’m excited. I’m really, really excited,” she shared.
Thia with her fiancé John Castelar
Describing her engagement, she said, “Actually, I think he thought when we get to the spot, walang tao. But when we got there, punung-punong pala sa tourists. Kasi we were laughing the whole time. This was in Imose Waterfalls. Some waterfalls in Japan. Sorry, I forgot the name. Well, I kind of figured out it will happen. Kaya ako naka-all-white. I figured it out. Mahirap ako isurprise. But anyway, so, yun yun. Maraming tao, kaya medyo na-awkward kami. Kasi siya, since he’s a very private person. Ako kasi mas, ano ako eh, di ba, artista-beauty queen. So, wala. Tawa lang nang tawa.”
Of the ring she stated, “It’s an heirloom daw.”
Thomalla’s ability to compartmentalize has helped her navigate business and wedding planning. “Actually, okay lang. Kasi parang how I work is parang, for example today, it’s just really Ayumi, business. And then tomorrow, doon na tayo mag-focus sa ibang bagay. Ayoko yung sabay-sabay kasi ma-overwhelm ako. And then I can’t focus kasi medyo ADHD ako. Medyo lang. Para lang relaxed lang din. I get overwhelmed easily kasi.”
Thomalla also displays Beautederm products inside of her store. “Yes. Binigyan ako ng package ni Mommy [Rhea Anicoche-Tan]. So, dito ko dinisplay. Kasi, a lot of clients ask me, what’s my secret daw? What am I using? So, at least andito na. Sabi ko, okay. I’m not gatekeeping any secrets naman even social media. So, what you see is Beautéderm talaga.”
When questioned regarding returning to acting, She explained “Ayun na nga. Kaya last year, hindi ako nakakatanggap ng project kasi sabi ko it wouldn’t be fair also to the TV series or whatever I’m accepting. Busy ako dito dahil tapos ang focus ko nandito. Hindi siya 100%. Dati, I’ve been there na nabash ka sa craft mo, when I started. So, sabi ko, I’m not gonna go through that again. Once I’ll be there, gawin ko nang tama at maayos ang trabaho. So, sabi ko, as I said earlier, same with the wedding planning, one time each, para di naooverwhelm. So, after this, I asked my handler kung meron na.”
Regarding joining beauty pageants in the future Thomalla shared, “That’s so hard to answer kasi, I think I always, I mentioned this before in an interview na, Miss World or nothing ako. So, Miss World not being open to it, nakakalungkot. So, I don’t know, I think now, things have changed with Miss Universe. So, you’ll never know. Once again, yung focus ko wala pa, but again, you’ll never know. People change, everything changes.”
Finally Thomalla stated, “Hi everyone, I’m Thia Thomalla and I wanna invite everyone to Ayumi Ayala Malls The 30th to get your lashes and nails done. See you here!”
