ASIDE from hard work, commitment and determination, luck also played a part in Kathelyn Dupaya's success. Owner of the MK Group of Companies, Dupaya is showing no signs of slowing down with the opening of the second MK Salon outlet in Gadong yesterday.

To mark the official opening of the salon, Dupaya specially flew in celebrities from the Philippines to officiate the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, along with popular Filipino artist Sunshine Cruz and Ara Mina graced the salon's opening ceremony yesterday together with Dupaya and her business partner Josephine Jasa.

In a brief interview, Dupaya expressed gratitude for the success of her business and extended her appreciation to MK Salon's former owner - one of her Bruneian friends - for entrusting the business to her and giving her the opportunity to run her own business.

"I arrived from the Philippines in 1993 to work as a waitress. I also took a side job working as a domestic helper in the evenings, and later on provided beauty related services," she said.

It was only a few years later that the opportunity to own her own salon came by when her friend offered her the business. After taking over the reins at the salon, Dupaya also took over the boutique located behind the salon. She would go on to open McBrumby Bake House and McBrumby Restaurant, both located in Tungku Link, before buying over the Shabu Me restaurant from another friend.

"It's all down to the opportunities given by my friend, and also my benevolent

and caring nature," Dupaya said, sharing with the Bulletin what she believes realised her rags-toriches story. "I try to help others whenever I can... Sometimes, I use profits from the businesses to financially help out my fellow Filipinas working here as well as the locals."

Meanwhile, Megan Young expressed her happiness at the opportunity to visit the country and officiate the salon's opening as a guest of honour, adding that even though she only arrived in Brunei over the weekend, she hopes to return again and see more of our beautiful country.

"Kathy is a very good friend and I didn't think twice when she invited me to the event. I have heard great things about her and the way she treats the Filipinos here is wonderful. This is something I appreciate about business people, when they look out for other people and give them opportunities, instead of just thinking about themselves," she added.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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