Antoinette Lacson: Crazy about Havaianas and more
At the Jagdish Temple.
Everybody is crazy about Havaianas! Thanks to Antoinette Lacson, a Manileña and resident of Bacolod City, this world-famous brand is being marketed quite efficiently in Western Visayas. Now, we can enjoy Havaianas' different designs as well as fun, fun activities here.
Get to know more about Antoinette Lacson in this interview.
Kathy: What areas does your promotion cover?
Antoinette: We cover Negros Occidental and Panay Island with the exception of Boracay.
Kathy: What are the challenges of being the promoter of Havaianas?
Antoinette: As the sub-distributor of Havaianas in Wesern Visayas, the biggest challenge for me, having come from Manila, was that I needed to learn to adapt to the different needs and strategies that work in each region I work in. In this case, Negros and Panay, where each city's personality and populace is completely different from each other. I had to learn to tailor events to make it more suitable to the local market.
In Kabankalan.
Kathy: What's your favorite Havaianas style and why?
Antoinette: I really don't have one favorite style, I wear them all! But I do have a favorite color, red!
Kathy: What is it about Havaianas that Bacoleños and Ilonggos go crazy about?
Antoinette: Havaianas is simple, it's functional and you can wear it anywhere and with anything! Apart from the comfort and durability, it's a very versatile fashion accessory. Plus it suits the laid back lifestyle of the Bacoleños and Ilonggos.
Kathy: What events have you organized last year and this year in order to promote Havaianas?
Antoinette: Our biggest event was the "Make Your Own Havaianas" which was held in November last year. After that, we had a "Free Kick" event last April, and this coming August 10, we'll have a "Havaianas Kids Carnival". But, that's not it just yet, we still have a few more surprises lined up for the rest of the year.
The colorful world of Havaianas
Kathy: Non-Havaianas fans say that they don't want to invest money on a pair of slippers. What's your response?
Antoinette: Once you've tried your first pair and witness it's super soft comfort, you really won't be able to stop there. It's value for money considering it's durability and versatility.
Kathy: Are you particular about what you wear?
Antoinette: I have my moods. But more often than not I am very particular about what I wear.
Kathy: Any fashion item that you are most fond of and why?
Antoinette: Dresses. I have a closet full of dresses. You don't have to think about putting an outfit together, just wear the dress, put on earrings, a pair of Havaianas and that's it!
Kathy: What's your usual get-up?
Antoinette: A dress or a tank top and trousers with a pair of Havaianas.
TThe colorful world of Havaianas
Kathy: What other businesses are you into?
Antoinete: My husband and I run a farm here in Negros, we grow fruits, sugarcane and bangus. Apart from that, we are planning to expand our retail knowledge this year into the food and beverage industry, a plan we've been working on for the past few months now.
Kathy: What other activities keep you busy apart from work?
Antoinette: We're avid animal and nature lovers. We have five dogs and six horses that we love spending time with and taking care of. We spend a lot of time outdoors, and I love fiddling around in the garden. I'm also a certified yoga teacher so working on devoloping my skills takes a good part of my early morning and late afternoon. I have yet to teach a class in the Philippines though.
Kathy: What work principle do you live by?
Antoinette: I've always beleived that no job is either too great or too small for you not to put 110% into it. No matter what field or industry you're in, you've got to love what you do and make it work.