Moms and Dads

Tina Campos: Transforming Passion Into A Sparkling Success

by Kevyn Gohu
March 28, 2025

The owner of her namesake jewelry brand, Tina Campos, shares her insights on how she has expanded her business while balancing life as a mom

“Grow. Improve. Elevate.” These words serve as a mantra for mompreneur Tina Campos as she carefully builds her namesake jewelry line.

For many moms, the flexibility of running a business is a dream come true, but scaling that dream? That’s where the real challenge begins. Some entrepreneurs invest heavily in digital marketing, leveraging their social media savvy to grow an online presence. Others prefer traditional bazaars and word of mouth to build a loyal customer base. But as a jeweler with a brand that has both an online and offline presence, Tina shares that both approaches require intentional decisions that align with three things: budget, market, and her advocacy.

“First, know your market, not only the foot traffic. In choosing my pop-ups, I also consider the marketing, support group and the purpose of doing not only business but the foundation and community they support,” she advises.

She emphasizes that mutual trust with the organization goes a long way. “Especially when putting up pop-ups, the relationship is a two-way street. If the organization won’t support or trust you, then mishaps will happen. But I’m happy to say that I don’t have any issues with the organizations that I’ve joined.”

So if any mom finds herself passing by ArteFino, Katutubo Pop Up by Bench, and other big Philippine cultural conventions, there’s a good chance Tina will be there with her sparkling creations!

Taking A Shine To Jewelry

The push to transform her hobby and passion for jewelry into a business came only after she spent time in the publishing industry. Encouraged by MEGA Magazine’s founder, the late Sari Yap, Tina Campos would eventually leave the corporate life behind and embrace her love for all things that glitter. Her work would initially appear in retail stores. But the skills she learned from her work in the magazine would translate to how she designs, pays homage to the style she loves, and makes her mark in the fashion industry.

“It’s why I named my jewelry brand after myself,” she admits. “I wanted the market to remember me and for the jewelry to represent my personality.”

A good look at her Instagram reveals where she draws her inspiration from. Nature has long been her muse. Charmed by the warmth and freshness of the Philippine tropics, Tina curates pieces that vibe with the tropics and boho-chic style. But like any designer, she also has a dream piece. A statement one, she shares, that would be dedicated to her late grandmother, Juliet.

“She represents elegance and the love of our community,” Tina explains. “So for her, I would design a piece made out of Philippine raw materials such as mother of pearl, shells, freshwater pearls.”

While her dream bejeweled piece is simple, it doesn’t mean she hasn’t dabbled in more vibrant designs. For her more colorful creations, she draws inspiration from the place she and her family are currently based in: Cebu.

“Cebu is known for its cultural art. It’s so colorful there, especially during the Feast of the Sto. Niño!” She gushes.

When Business Goes Beyond Borders

Although an Ilongga, Tina Campos has also embraced Cebu — the home of the famous Cebu Lechon — as her own. Beyond its stunning beaches, which inspire both her creativity and business, the passionate Cebuanos and their dedication to preserving culture through modern interpretations truly won her heart. It also helped that her husband, a Cebuano native, was based there for work.

At first, safety and security were concerns, but Cebu’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and strong educational institutions quickly put those worries to rest. Traffic and community life were also key factors in their decision. Looking back, Tina considers moving to Cebu one of the best decisions they’ve ever made.

“Cebu is such a culturally rich place with endless investment opportunities. And the people? They’re some of the warmest you’ll ever meet,” she intimates.

But how does she manage her business when a majority of her clientele are from the nation’s capital? It’s all about setting aside a budget, she reveals. “Since the people from Manila are my market, I had to balance the airfare, logistics, and the capital to join. But it also helps when you join conventions filled with people you want to share your passion with. Like for me, I joined conventions filled with doctors, lawyers, judges, and business owners.”

A sparkling future for her family

Although the demands of her jewelry business may take her away from home, Tina considers the moments she spends with her three kids as the brightest jewels in her collection. Their needs and school projects are just some of the aspects she pays careful attention to, especially for her son, who has mild autism.

“We give him all the love and support he needs,” she shares. “Because of that, he’s now attending regular school and doing well in his hobby.”

As the future remains bright for her children, it also does so for her jewelry business. With each dazzling piece, Tina Campos shines a light for every mom who wishes to break away from corporate and take her passion to greater heights. After all, with a bit of mindful polishing, what kind of business wouldn’t develop a unique shine of its own?