Microfinance: Meet Warren Floro Ebañez Oliva
August, 2021Warren Floro Ebañez Oliva is the owner of a neighbourhood hair and beauty salon in an urban poor community in Laguna. As the main income earner, he supports his mother and a younger sibling attending school. Before opening his own business, Warren worked as a local government employee but struggled to support his family on a limited salary.
Encouraged by his aunt, Warren completed a certification course in Beauty and Aesthetics and left government service in 2013 to open a small salon offering basic treatments. After several years, he sought to grow his business and joined Grameen Pilipinas Microfinance Inc. (GPMI), receiving a ₱15,000 (AU$394) loan in November 2019 to purchase new equipment and expand services.
When COVID-19 lockdowns forced non-essential businesses to close, Warren quickly adapted. Noticing a rise in interest for home beautification and gardening, he renewed his loan for another ₱15,000 and began selling ornamental plants in recycled plastic planters. He also participated in GPMI Entrepreneurship Learning Sessions, which helped him refine his new venture.
Now, as he prepares his salon to reopen under government health standards, Warren continues running his garden business. The income not only supports household expenses and school fees but also allows him to save for unexpected costs, easing pressure on his family while keeping his entrepreneurial spirit alive.
“COVID could have shut everything down, but it taught me to be creative. I turned a challenge into a chance to grow a new business and still support my family.”
– Warren Floro Ebañez Oliva
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