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Some of the most successful entrepreneurs often emphasize that the cornerstone of a successful business is either passion or solving a problem. It’s always “Find your passion, and follow it!” or “Solve the gap in the market.” Chris Arguelles, the boss babe and distributor behind Coconut Matter in the Philippines, has done not only both, but she also embodies such ideals perfectly.
"Prior to founding my own business, I did nine years with different multinationals. Then I also did consulting. And then last year, I started What's Good Beauty Philippines, brought Coconut Matter here, and partnered with them to further expand this brand to more Filipino homes," shares Chris.
She felt a strong desire to bring Coconut Matter to the Filipino market for reasons beyond just clean living. She observed a gap in the local market for truly organic, effective, and affordable personal care products. Naturally, Coconut Matter's ethical sourcing and transparent branding made it a natural fit for her mission. "Our main goal is to bring the best of the clean, ethically-sourced, and sustainable brands from the world to more Filipino households," she explains. “We focus on bringing clean products that are clean, like legitimately organic—not just organic for the purposes of saying it's organic—but really 100% clean and natural.”
The brand’s eco-conscious ethos goes beyond merely offering safe and effective personal care products; it also addresses environmental concerns by being a plastic-free brand. "We see it as an opportunity to be better because we know the things that we do impact not just our operations, but also the communities that we have," Chris states. Proudly emphasizing the brand's tangible impact, she shares, "The last tracking we've done showed we've helped eradicate around 18,500 kilograms of plastic waste."
This commitment to plastic-free packaging and operations showcases Coconut Matter's broader vision for sustainability and responsible business practices. It's not just about individual wellness for Chris and her team, but it's also about the well-being of the planet.
Of course, there’s also something to be said about a product’s effectiveness and Chris spoke with evident joy in her voice. "When I read a review saying how effective our deodorant was and how it solved a real problem, I knew we were really adding value to the lives of people," she recounts. But it's not just about selling products: "It feels different when you know you've helped them, especially when they give context. It's like they've been looking for something and they've found it with us."
The way we see it, Coconut Matter was a step toward fulfilling Chris’ larger purpose. And she isn’t merely running a business; she's promoting a lifestyle shift towards sustainability and ethical consumption, while also taking steps to make these options more accessible to people from all walks of life.
One incident that resonates deeply with Chris is a poignant interaction with a mother at an event. The woman approached Chris with keen interest in Coconut Matter's kid-friendly deodorant, asking specifically about its safety. Chris assured her it was safe, but had to mention its premium price point. The mother, a tenant at another booth at the event, thanked Chris, promising to return but never did. Chris reflects on the moment, saying, "She really wanted to buy, but the price point is not the usual price [for deodorant]. It's quite premium."
While other entrepreneurs would have easily missed the interaction, the encounter stuck with Chris because it emphasized the call to action to make her products more accessible to Filipinos across various economic backgrounds. Admirably, she hasn’t taken it so lightly: “It's still a moment that I remember because for me, it's still an opportunity to help other people.”
In spite of the hurdle of premium pricing, the brand experienced a significant win. Within just a year of aggressive marketing, Coconut Matter climbed to the top spot for premium deodorants on a well-known e-commerce platform, giving well-known brands a real competition.
So yes, there is much room to grow and improve for this startup. After all, running a brand that's motivated by a cause is not a walk in the park, which Chris is open about. "Being an entrepreneur is not as easy as it seems. There are risks, especially compared to the stability you get in a corporate job," she shares. During tough decisions, Chris falls back on her guiding principle: "Stick to your core values when things get tough. When you have two options, stick to what is aligned with your values. And when you do that, when you do the right thing, the business will follow. Results will follow."
If our conversation with this dynamic entrepreneur revealed anything, it's that Chris and Coconut Matter are just warming up. They're here for the long run, ready to bring more and better changes, one product at a time. And truth be told, we’re excited to see what their undoubtedly bright future holds in store.
Parlon OG Club members can get up to 10% off Coconut Matter’s products on Edamama, Shopee, and Lazada. For more information, visit https://parlon.ph/og-perks.
