Jaycel Soliman Gripon, a 30-year-old Filipina entrepreneur, is the epitome of resilience and determination. From humble beginnings, she overcame adversity and hardship to build a thriving business in Houston, Texas, and inspire others to follow in her footsteps.
Today, Jaycel is the proud owner of Café Gripon’s NASA, Sra. Churros, and Sweet Cravings Churros and Crepes, three dessert and coffee shop locations that specialize in churros and crepes.
As a young single mother, Jaycel was driven by ambition and the need to provide for her child and family. This drive led her to work abroad, first as a machine operator in Taiwan, and later in the United States.
Jaycel’s journey to success was not an easy one. After a failed marriage, she found herself alone in a foreign country, forced to rely on the kindness of fellow Filipinas for shelter and support.
Jaycel did not let her circumstances define her. Instead, she worked tirelessly in various jobs, including babysitting, cleaning houses, cashiering, and even working as an Uber driver. These experiences, coupled with her determination and resourcefulness, eventually led her to open her own business.
“I enjoy being my own boss because it gives me a sense of responsibility,” Jaycel said.
“I always wanted to learn and figure out more products. I enjoyed taking pictures of new products and posting them. I love the idea of meeting new people, the customers and especially employees. Most of my employees are my siblings, and I found that as my biggest blessing,” she added.
Working overseas has also given Jaycel a sense of pride in her Filipino heritage.
“It really feels good when you are from a third world country and you excel on foreign ground,” she said.
“It really feels good when you gain that respect,” she further added.
Jaycel credits her success to the support and guidance of her mentor, a business partner who recognized her potential and taught her how to run a business.
Now, with her siblings by her side, Jaycel is focused on expanding her business and giving back to her community.
“I want to open more businesses, more branches, and expansions. I’m planning for the 4th location, and if ever God’s prevail, I want to do it before this year ends. With that, I want to help some fellow Filipinos get the chance to work here. I want to hire people from the Philippines and show the world how great Filipinos are,” she said.
Her advice to fellow Filipinos struggling abroad is to “keep your head high, trust the Lord, and believe in yourself. Whatever you are going through, just believe that someone is watching over you. Everything will get better.”
She also emphasizes the importance of patience and trust in the process, saying, “When it comes to love, finances, or employment, don’t rush. Work on yourself and trust the process. Everything will fall into its places once you are ready.”
For Jaycel, the love and support of her family have been instrumental in her journey. She encourages young people to cherish their relationships with their parents, explaining that “we cannot be a good citizen, employee, a friend, or even a lover if we are not a good daughter/son to our parents first. Believe me, God will bless you if you love your parents.”