Girlboss: Filipina car service entrepreneur thrives in male-dominated industry

Even if her industry is still a man's world, fearless entrepreneur Jazmine Flores would rather be the woman in it.

iwd, breakthebias, women's month, female entrepreneur, talyer auto

Jazmine Flores proves that the automotive industry is not only for men. Source: Marquis Magazine

Highlights

Jazmine Flores owns several businesses, including a car service centre and a call centre in the Philippines.
She says that her femininity balances the masculine nature of the industry she is in.
She shares that the characteristic she has that she is most proud of is her mental strength.

In celebration of National Women's Month 2022, SBS Filipino presents a series focused on remarkable Filipino women who #BreakTheBias.

Jazmine Flores' life and career speak of entrepreneurship in a male-dominated industry; hands-on motherhood and; mental strength to continue amidst biases and fall-on-your-knees hardships.

"I've been told: You're a woman - what do you know about cars?

"Being a businesswoman in the automotive industry is not easy. The first impression they have of you is that you're weak. I took that as a challenge to prove that an empowered woman can be successful in a man's world."

"An empowered woman can be successful in a man's world." Source: Jazmine Flores

Jazmine is as empowered of a woman as they come. She owns several businesses, including Talyer Automotive Service Centre (which she initially co-owned with her ex-husband) and a call centre in the Philippines.

Despite the masculine nature of the industry she joined, she admits that she is a "girly girl".

"I love all things feminine. I love pink and I grew up in a Hello Kitty world," she laughs, adding, "But I think my femininity is what makes an impact and it's what balances things. I can inspire other women. When I'm in Talyer Auto, I'm seen as a mother figure."

Jazmine and her staff Source: Jazmine Flores

Being the mother figure has created a family environment in the four shops she now currently owns and runs.

"I want my legacy to be businesses that run on passion, endeavours that make an impact on others - from clients to staff.

"I'm proud to say that we were able to help out a lot of our workers - from the time they were students until we were able to sponsor them for PR and then citizenship. We were also very fortunate that none of our staff lost their jobs during the height of the pandemic. These are the things that motivate me."

"We were very fortunate that none of our staff lost their jobs during the height of the pandemic." Source: Jazmine Flores

This motivated entrepreneur carries over her drive to how she raises her three daughters.

"I've always been a hands-on mum. Not only are my daughters athletes, but I see in them the drive that I have. My eldest girls - my twins - are now in uni and are helping out in the businesses.

"I got my femininity from my mum (who used to do pageants) and my business savvy from my dad; with my girls, I hope what they learn from me is to stick to something they like and they're good at and, to excel in that."

Jazmine considers her dad as her greatest mentor. Source: Jazmine Flores

A mentor to her daughters and to other women, Jazmine continues to have the need to succeed, spurred on by her persistence and mental strength.

"My days start really early and end really late, but I keep on going. I've learned to be resilient. I have baggage, but I've learned to face the world in a professional manner.