MANILA -- Model and blogger Kryz Uy definitely knows how it is to be a #GirlBoss having founded her own online store February Lifestyle.

Uy, who is engaged to “Pinoy Big Brother” winner Slater Young, was among the guest speakers at the recent Blogger’s United 2018 as part of the program presented by Carousell Philippines, an online selling platform, which aims to empower more women entrepreneurs.

“Kryz has been in Carousell since last year. She’s buying and selling in Cebu, and she’s one of the pioneers in the [Philippine] blogging world, and she’s actually a great example of someone [in Carousell] who’s busy -- she’s a multi-hyphenated person,” Marita Galvez, marketing manager of Carousell Philippines said of Uy.

During her packed talk, the Cebuana personality tackled some of the challenges that female entrepreneurs may face.

“Online selling empowers women from all walks of life to earn and take charge. On Carousell, 75% of our users in the Philippines are female. With this program, we hope to empower them with an entrepreneurial mindset, and skills to sell better,” Galvez added.

Before her talk, ABS-CBN News caught up with Uy to discuss her entrepreneurial journey.

Q: You’ve now branched into your own business called February Lifestyle. Can you tell us something about this lifestyle brand?

A: It’s taking local materials from local artisans. Because I know a lot of local artists in Cebu, and they don’t have a platform to sell, and I have a platform. And I wanted to use it for something better.

So I took the opportunity to help these local artisans… In a world where everything is digital, or made in China, you don’t really see the process behind it, and [here] you see something that’s made in the Philippines -- handwoven, handmade and hand-everything. I’m trying to take all these local materials and trying to make it relevant for [fashion] now.

A post shared by February (@februarylifestyle) on Jun 16, 2018 at 9:02pm PDT

Q: You sell earrings and bags that are 100% made in Cebu. Can you share some of the challenges that you’ve faced in your business?

A: There are many challenges in being an entrepreneur, but we don’t realize how hard it is -- especially when you’re working for a social enterprise. …My artisans, they are real women. They’ll work on my products [only] when they’re done doing the laundry, or bringing their kids to school. I sell online only, through my site, because working with local artisans, we can’t keep up with the supply they (big department stores) need.

Q: With all these difficulties, why do you persist in doing business?

A: I met someone and I was inspired to pursue this. One step at a time, it became a business, and every day I keep on learning and growing. But more than a business, it’s really about helping out. There’s a higher purpose to it.

A post shared by February (@februarylifestyle) on Apr 8, 2018 at 8:56pm PDT

Q: How can one become a girl boss?

A : I’d rather talk about what hinders people from being a girl boss. First of all, the fear of failure. Second, comparing themselves to men, and the male people in their lives that are successful.

Carousell, for me, is an easy avenue for you to test out business -- whether you’re into business or not. It makes you feel empowered without putting so much out there, because it’s just stuff that’s in your closet. It makes it so easy.