MATAAS NA KAHOY, BATANGAS, Philippines—Marilyn “Malyn” Perez-Reyes believes that the color violet brings her luck.

That color, she claims, always has something to do with the success of her various enterprises—a catering business, a grocery store, a piggery and a five-door apartment.

Malyn entered the world of business after the company she was working with closed in 1996.

On January 4, 1997, Malyn’s husband, Rolando, a retired Philippine Air Force serviceman, borrowed P40,000 and gave it to her to start a catering business: the MPR Malyn Catering.

“I immediately bought 50 chairs and tables and 100 pairs of spoons and forks when my husband handed me the money,” Malyn recalled.

She also had the newly bought tables and chairs painted violet.

Malyn said what she purchased were not enough, so she rented the other items she needed for her catering business.

“I hooked many customers because they were attracted to my color,” she said. “Some even call me ’Madam Violet.’ “

Lucky color

Even when Malyn was still a child, she really admired the color violet.

According to her, whenever she adds a touch of violet to whatever she does, she becomes lucky and successful.

Malyn’s personal belongings, such as blouses, shoes and wrist watches are violet. She never gets out of the house wearing other colors.

She now owns two houses painted violet, with everything inside similarly cast in that bright color.

When she was about to start her catering business, she consulted a Feng Shui expert about her preference for the color violet. “The Feng Shui expert told me that violet is lucky, but I must also put a touch of green, which means money,” Malyn recalled.

Other businesses

With her earnings from the catering business, Malyn decided to go into piggery in 2002.

She had her 44-year-old husband manage the piggery since she was more focused on catering.

On September 8, 2006, Malyn opened a grocery store in the same place, using the profits she made in the catering and piggery businesses.

“A business must be supervised and managed well,” Malyn advised. “Owners must keep in touch in order to administer the daily goings-on.”

According to Malyn, who admits she seldom visits her grocery, her grocery manager hands her receipts, “all receipts, no cash.”

Later on, she was able to construct a five-door apartment using the combined earnings of her three businesses.

Specialties

People always include in their orders Malyn’s specialties—chicken cordon bleu, teriyaki beefsteak and beef broccoli.

Although Malyn has a chef, she’s the one who blends the ingredients.

“My secret is enjoying what I do, especially cooking,” she revealed, admitting that she didn’t know how to cook before.

“I attended seminars in cooking in Manila before I started my food business,” Malyn said.

She added that could can accommodate and supervise 12 catering services in one day.

Malyn has 10 waiters, with at least 50 freelancers, and three cooks.

Though MPR Malyn’s Catering is famous in Lipa City and other towns in Batangas, Malyn doesn’t approve of franchising.

Sharing

The Reyes couple has three children who study in the De La Salle-Lipa and she wants her kids to become successful in food business just like her. But she does not pressure them.

Malyn’s two elder kids frequently prepare their desserts, which she considers a positive sign of their interest in the into food business.

Successful in business and family life, Malyn believes that she receives more than what she has shared.

Every Christmas, at least 60 children would be seen forming a line along the pathway outside her house.

“I give them money or toys,” Malyn said.

Last Christmas she donated money to the Senior Citizens’ Association in her village.

All these in the spirit of sharing the success brought about partly by the color violet.