By Maria Kristina R. Wingkee

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill. This is exactly what Gibson Kien M. Repomanta, a Project Manager from the Technology Division at NLEX, went through. He and his wife decided to explore opportunities beyond the traditional 9-to-5 job.

Gibson, married to his wonderful wife Maria Elena “Ella” Ripomanta, is the proud father of three beautiful children. He recalls the early days of their marriage when they faced significant financial struggles. Ella, worried about their finances, often felt overwhelmed. Gibson took charge of their family’s financial situation. He made it his responsibility to handle budgeting. He ensured they made ends meet. His determination to shield his wife from unnecessary stress has continued to work in their favor, even years later.

Ella was a housewife. She had more time to browse the internet and social media. It was there that she stumbled upon a Facebook page selling overrun shirts. Intrigued, she researched suppliers and found the right sources. Gibson saw the potential in this idea and wholeheartedly supported her. In 2021, they officially launched their business, naming it Isha & Abel after their children.

The journey wasn’t easy. Gibson and his wife packed and shipped items together. They had no dedicated team for packing and order fulfillment. They both dedicated countless hours to ensure every order was completed on time, no matter how exhausting it was.

Gibson believes that success in business requires resilience. “You have to be willing to bounce back from failures, learn the ropes, study your product, and build strong relationships with suppliers and customers.” One of his guiding principles is “Kung di mo susubukan, di mo malalaman”—if you don’t try, you’ll never know what could happen.

The challenges, however, didn’t end with success. There were times when they compared themselves to competitors. They struggled to secure the best deals from suppliers. They also faced difficulties with customer relationships and handling returns. The risk of dealing with damaged or rejected items was always present. But despite these challenges, Gibson and Ella never gave up on their side hustle. They understood that success wasn’t about avoiding failure; it was about continuing to push forward and making things work.

Their business continues to thrive today. They offer quality overrun shirts from well-known brands like ZARA, NASA, Vans, H&M, Cropp, Loewe, and A Bathing Ape. There are many more brands to choose from. They’ve ventured into live selling. They have participated in bazaars. They even joined the NLEX Fair. Gibson’s colleagues have become loyal customers.

Their journey with Isha & Abel has taught them valuable lessons about managing money. Instead of spending on branded shirts, they’ve chosen to invest in their own products. They’ve adopted a simpler lifestyle with a focus on a better future for their family.

Gibson’s outlook on their progress reflects the Filipino saying, “Malayo pa, pero malayo na”—”It’s still far, but we’ve come a long way.” Gibson and Ella persevere with dedication. They show a willingness to adapt. They continue to build a brighter future for themselves and their children.

---

---