Starting a business abroad can often feel like a distant dream for many, especially when life has already been spent building a career in a completely different field. Yet for Mary Grace Doria Sy-Wico, what began as a spontaneous idea during a holiday vacation transformed into an inspiring venture that now brings beauty, wellness, and purpose together in Dubai.
A seasoned professional in the insurance industry for over two decades, Sy-Wico never thought she would become a business owner outside her home country. “It was never my idea, it was God’s idea,” she shared. Today, she proudly holds the title of Part Owner and Chief Distribution Officer at Beauty Re/store Dubai, a startup that promises not only premium products but also a greater mission: to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Planting the seeds of beauty and purpose
Beauty Re/store is more than just a brand; it is an extension of a mission that started in the Philippines under the leadership of Dr. Christine May Daguno-Canoy, President and CEO of Neo Golden Towers Trading Corporation. Established in 2016, the company specializes in buying, selling, distributing, and marketing beauty and skincare products and holds both a Bureau of Customs accreditation and a License to Operate from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration.
While spending Christmas with her family in Dubai last year, Sy-Wico discovered an opportunity that immediately sparked her interest—the introduction of Beauty Re/store’s premium shower head with scented filters. “It’s not just another beauty product; it’s a necessity, especially in Dubai and the Middle East where hard water is a major issue,” she explained. She believed deeply that “healthy skin begins with clean water,” a principle that fits naturally with the ethos of Beauty Re/store.
Driven by this vision, she approached Dr. Christine—who was not only a friend but also a churchmate at New Life PH—to propose a partnership. After months of preparation, Beauty Re/store Dubai was officially launched on April 12. “Call it bizarre,” she smiled, “but putting up an office overseas was never part of my dreams until this opportunity came.”
A heart anchored in service and financial literacy
Before her new role with Beauty Re/store, Sy-Wico had already built an impressive career as the CEO and President of one of the Philippines’ leading insurance agencies. For over 24 years, she dedicated herself to helping families secure their futures, always guided by a heartfelt mantra: “You will never go wrong if your intention is to genuinely help people and answer a need; success will inevitably follow.”
Her passion for financial literacy is deeply rooted in personal encounters with Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who returned home without sufficient savings. “My heart goes out to returning OFWs who were not able to save for their retirement,” she said. Meeting Filipino influencers in Dubai further inspired her to teach financial literacy alongside her business endeavors. “Only a life lived for others is a life worth living,” she emphasized.
While Beauty Re/store Dubai blossomed, she continued her mission of uplifting lives, proving that entrepreneurship and advocacy could walk hand in hand.
Building relationships, overcoming challenges, and dreaming bigger
Launching a business in a foreign land comes with its fair share of hurdles. For Sy-Wico, navigating government policies and procedures in Dubai demanded strict compliance and patience. “No cutting corners,” she stressed, highlighting how Beauty Re/store’s values of integrity and transparency have remained consistent, whether in the Philippines or abroad.
Fortunately, she found great support from the Filipino community in Dubai and the local government agencies, which she describes as approachable and helpful. “I appreciate their patience with all my inquiries and questions,” she said.
Through all the challenges, Sy-Wico found joy in building relationships, working with the right people at the right time, and doing things the right way. “At the end of the day, it’s not how much money you put in your bank account, but how many lives were changed because of what you do,” she reflected.
Looking ahead, she envisions Beauty Re/store becoming a global force in the beauty and skincare industry, a trusted name with a powerful presence known for excellence. “We dream of Beauty Re/store being present globally,” she shared with certainty.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those looking to build something abroad, Sy-Wico offers a grounded but motivating piece of advice: “Dreaming big and going global is not for the faint of heart. It takes grit, sacrifice, and the courage to keep going even when the path gets tough. But those who dare to dream big are the ones who change the game—trailblazers.”
Quoting the Bible, she added, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).
To her, success is not an end destination, but something that happens in the small, consistent wins each day. “It is not a one-time event, but a daily decision to show up, stay consistent, and keep going even when it’s tough,” she said. Progress, she believes, is built one step at a time, always anchored on three important things: Purpose, Process, and People.
