Women Founders Scale Made In Mnl Business With TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop equips female entrepreneurs in the Philippines with e-commerce tools to build local brands and generate revenue streams.
Platforms like TikTok Shop help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into brands, reach wider audiences, and create new sources of income.
One example is Made In Mnl, a clothing brand founded by siblings Flyntt Lisondra and Scyd Lynch Lisondra-Muyot. Known for its unisex essentials, the brand’s corduroy shorts have sold over 100,000 pieces since launch.
How Made in Mnl Scaled Corduroy Shorts Sales
Made In Mnl began as a shared vision between the sisters to create clothing that is comfortable, versatile, and Filipino.
In 2022, they noticed how popular shorts made of taslan (a type of synthetic polyester fabric) were among men, but they wanted to offer something different. The siblings realized that corduroy, a fabric they both loved, could make their products stand out.
“The idea is very simple–corduroy shorts. That’s it. I felt it could really catch on,” Lisondra said in the vernacular. “When I woke up, I told my sister: Let’s do this–corduroy shorts. Let’s make it happen.”
E-Commerce Programs Train Female MSME Owners
Women own 66% of SMEs and 62% of newly registered businesses, according to the Philippine Commission on Women’s State of the Filipino Women Report 2025.
The Lisondra siblings credit TikTok Shop as a factor in the brand’s early growth.
“TikTok Shop empowers women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises to take control of their businesses and build sustainable, independent income,” said Franco Aligaen, marketing lead at TikTok Shop Philippines, in an April 21 press statement.
It’s about giving women the tools to succeed, he said.
“Through livestreaming, short-form videos, and our educational programs, female entrepreneurs can create alternative revenue streams, connect with customers directly, and grow their businesses on their own terms,” he said.
Programs like Unlad Lokal, TikTok Shop’s educational initiative for MSMEs, give entrepreneurs hands-on training in content creation, livestream selling, and affiliate marketing.
The platform has also partnered with government and non-government organizations on women-focused initiatives, such as:
- Hapinoy, which supports female sari-sari store owners, and
- the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s Digital Diskarte Training, which helps single mothers explore new income streams through e-commerce and livestreaming.
Customer Support Sustains Organic Business Growth
Community support has been critical to Made In Mnl’s growth, which helped the sisters scale while maintaining connections with customers.
Community support is the foundation of the business, Lisondra-Muyot said in the same press statement.
“They are usually the first to trust, support, and spread the word about our brand,” she said. “When the community believes in you, the growth is more organic and meaningful.”
“As women entrepreneurs, it’s empowering to turn our creativity into a source of income. We hope our journey inspires more women to take that leap and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams,” Lisondra also said.
This content was produced in collaboration with TikTok Shop. Our Partner Content features help us advance our mission to provide relevant stories, expert insights, and business intelligence that empower Filipino entrepreneurs. The Business Manual oversees our partnership standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Women-led MSMEs can participate in programs like Unlad Lokal, TikTok Shop’s educational initiative that provides hands-on training in content creation, livestream selling, and affiliate marketing. Additionally, partnerships with organizations like TESDA offer the Digital Diskarte Training, which specifically helps single mothers and other entrepreneurs explore new income streams. These programs are designed to equip founders with the technical tools needed to build sustainable, independent brands.
The brand focused on a “simple but different” concept by introducing corduroy shorts as a unique alternative to the popular synthetic taslan shorts in the market. By leveraging a fabric they loved and maintaining a focus on unisex, comfortable Filipino essentials, they created a standout product identity. This strategy proved highly effective, resulting in over 100,000 pieces sold since the brand’s launch.
TikTok Shop provides a multifaceted e-commerce ecosystem that includes livestreaming, short-form videos, and affiliate marketing to connect sellers directly with customers. These tools allow entrepreneurs to turn creative ideas into digital storefronts, creating alternative revenue streams that bypass traditional retail barriers. By integrating entertainment with shopping, the platform helps local brands build high visibility and engage with a nationwide community in real-time.
Community support acts as the foundation of a business, as local supporters are typically the first to trust the brand and spread the word. As highlighted by the founders of Made In Mnl, when a community believes in a vision, the resulting growth is more organic and meaningful. This grassroots advocacy helps small businesses scale while maintaining authentic connections with their customers, which is critical for long-term brand loyalty.
TikTok Shop has established partnerships with non-government organizations like Hapinoy, which is dedicated to supporting female sari-sari store owners. These initiatives focus on digital inclusion, helping traditional micro-retailers transition into the e-commerce space. By providing specialized training and tools, the platform ensures that even the smallest local businesses have the opportunity to modernize and generate independent income.
