Tag: writing

Hi, Bagong Nanay!

Kumusta? Kaliwa’t kanan ang balita ng lindol at flu outbreak, okay ka pa ba? Ang daming nangyayari, pero don’t forget that it’s okay to feel anxious and all these big feelings, but let’s do our best to not dwell on them.

Ang dami kong nakikitang mommies who are preparing their Go Bags at marami ring sellers na nagbebenta ng hard hat. Nabasa ko nga, during these times, it’s okay to worry, but it’s better to be prepared.

Kaya naman, this October, which is also World Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s fitting to share about the story of a Bagong Nanay who, despite her mental health struggles, was able to thrive and build her own business.

We put the spotlight on Mommy Arabella April Yeung, the mom behind the brand Cuddle and Coo PH, which offers an FDA-approved lactation and recovery drink and other parent and baby products. I’ve tried their Malunggay & Acai Berry Juice and you can read about my review here.

Mommy Ara, who used to be a public hospital nurse, shared with Bagong Nanay how she battled with mental health struggles on her own. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic when she finally had the courage to seek professional help, and she was diagnosed with major depressive disorder with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Her husband supported her through it all, and she poured herself into Cuddle and Coo PH, a small business she dearly loves.

This is her Bagong Nanay Biz story.

A full circle moment

I’d like to think that Cuddle and Coo PH began during our first visit to a baby fair—Momzilla—in 2023. We were browsing baby items and came across a booth managed by siblings. One of the sisters was pregnant at that time, and was selling maternity clothes and baby trinkets. We chatted a little, and they were the first to inspire us to dream of creating our own brand someday. I even told my husband, “Hon, one day tayo naman ang mangbubudol.” Little did I know that joke stayed with him, and eventually became real. At that time, I was pregnant with two babies: my son Jin, and Cuddle and Coo PH.

“Blessings don’t always come all at once—they’re given in perfect timing.”

-Mommy Ara Yeung

When I gave birth in August 2023, I struggled with the sweets and drinks I consumed. Since I had gestational diabetes, I had to be careful with my sugar intake. I stopped eating the usual treats and switched to supplements, but it felt more like a chore than something enjoyable. I wanted something refreshing and delicious without affecting my sugar. This became my daily “litanya” to my husband, who encouraged me to reach out to the right people—being a nurse with connections to hospitals and professionals. That was when it hit me: this challenge could become an opportunity.

One of the main challenges we faced was delegating tasks. As a nurse, I’m used to things progressing in a certain, structured way. My husband meanwhile is a lawyer, who is more chill and used to delays. This difference often frustrated me.

For one, we had to launch the brand without our flagship product because of delays with our FDA certification. By God’s grace, we were able to successfully introduce Cuddle and Coo PH at Momzilla in November 2024!

A family affair

Every night, my husband and I would say: “Lord, miss na naming mag-pack ng parcel, palambing naman po ng order.” And true enough, there are days when we have no sales at all—days when we look at each other nervously, wondering if people have already forgotten us and worry that our stocks expire. But the Lord has His ways.

Sometimes the shop is quiet for days, then suddenly we get 10–15 orders in a single day, and we’re scrambling to pack and ship. It taught us that blessings don’t always come all at once—they’re given in perfect timing. It also reminded us to pause, breathe, and enjoy family moments in between.

“When it gets overwhelming, I remind myself: what a blessing it is to do something I love from home.”

-Mommy Ara Yeung

Despite the structured chaos, this business has strengthened our faith and marriage. When I’m busy with inventory, my husband takes over baby duties—feeding, burping, changing nappies, even thawing milk. He has never missed a doctor’s appointment and always makes time for us, even packing parcels after a full day of work. If this business journey has given us that kind of teamwork and resilience, then all the struggle has definitely been worth it.

Although we have an extra hand with our sales associate Thea, who works part-time during baby fairs, I handle most of the day-to-day tasks at home while juggling work, chores, and childcare. It gets overwhelming, but I remind myself: what a blessing it is to do something I love from home. What was once just a dream is now reality. Even our son Jin learns from this—he hands us tape when packing or opens doors when I’m carrying parcels. He sees his dad working, too. These small lessons by example are priceless, something words alone can’t teach a toddler.

Advice for aspiring mompreneurs

If you want to start a business, you need to be ALL IN.

No reservations, no shyness. Who else can champion your product better than you, the creator? That’s why I’ve spent almost a year attending baby fairs, engaging with moms and dads about their breastfeeding journey.

The first year is crucial.

It’s where you’ll see whether the business is earning or just breaking even. Document everything, down to the last peso. That’s how you’ll know what’s working and what’s not. And very importantly, don’t cover costs out-of-pocket. Let the earnings fund the cycle. Proper costing and accounting are key; otherwise, you risk setting yourself up for failure.

Have faith in the Lord, in yourself, in your products, and in your team.

Faith carries you through the days when sales are low and motivation is running out. Sometimes blessings overflow, sometimes it feels quiet. Don’t be discouraged. Maybe it just means more effort is needed or a better strategy for visibility.

Listen to feedback, criticisms, and setbacks.

These are not failures, but steps forward. No system is perfect. Cuddle and Coo PH is what it is today because of continuous feedback—from co-merchants, customers, and our small team.

What’s next for Cuddle and Coo

Our vision is to make Cuddle and Coo PH a trusted name for moms and families who want healthier, safer, and more thoughtful alternatives in their parenting journey. We want our brand to be more than just products—it’s about community, support, and encouragement for parents navigating the same challenges we faced.

In the near future, we plan to expand our product line to include more parent- and baby-friendly items, with the same focus on health and wellness. We’re also exploring collaborations with fellow mompreneurs and health professionals to bring better awareness and education to families. Beyond online and baby fairs, we hope to eventually have a physical space—a “Cuddle and Coo corner”—where parents can discover products, share experiences, and feel supported.

Our dream is to keep growing in a way that stays true to our values: family, faith, and love.

Follow Cuddle and Coo PH on social media and shop their products here:

• Facebook: Cuddle And Coo Ph
• Instagram: @cuddleandcoo.ph
• TikTok: Cuddle and Coo PH
• Shopee: shopee.ph/cuddleandcoo.ph