Cover Claire Ongcangco is making beauty services accessible like never before.
Claire Ongcangco is making beauty services accessible like never before.
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Parlon’s co-founder and CEO shares her vision of making beauty and wellness experiences easy as a click
Because of her passion for beauty, wellness and technology, Claire Ongcangco noticed a gap in the salon industry: the need for digital transformation. The industry was ripe for it and she was determined to bridge this divide.
Drawing inspiration from the ease of seamless online shopping and fuelled by her expertise in law and technology, she envisioned an easier way to book beauty salon services online. That’s how Parlon was born, an app that connects top-tier salons and spas with clients with just a few taps on the screen.
Ongcangco’s bubbly personality and charm shine through in Parlon which now has over 700 partner merchants in the country and soon in other parts of Southeast Asia.
Read more: Meet the lawyer behind Parlon, a one-stop beauty and wellness platform
I noticed that while everything was being digitised— booking restaurants, flights, hotels, buying groceries and more—beauty and wellness services were left out. Before Parlon, I had an IT company which developed mobile apps, websites and tech solutions for Philippine companies and startups. I’m also a lawyer, and after passing the bar, I asked my partner, ‘Why don’t we build our own startup and solve a problem?’ I wanted something like Zomato for beauty, where you could look up services, see prices and get a sense of what to expect before going to a salon.
Not everyone believed in the idea at first, especially since it was something new. I had to pitch the concept to my go-to salons with just a brochure and my vision. I cold-called via Instagram, went door-to-door and sent emails. Not everyone responded, and some outright said they weren’t interested because I had nothing substantial to show at that point. But from one partner to 20, then 50, 100 and now almost 700 brands nationwide, we’ve grown. The challenge now is digitalisation, getting people used to booking services online. It’s a long process, but we’re making progress.
It wasn’t just about starting a business; it was about doing it right. As a lawyer, I ensured we had all our legal documents in place. When you’re holding money on behalf of merchants, you need a licence from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). From day one, I made sure we complied with all legal requirements, including data privacy laws and tax regulations for digital marketplaces. This compliance has helped establish Parlon’s credibility as a marketplace and a business.
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We empower small businesses by helping them digitise their operations. Parlon is not just a marketplace; we offer a powerful merchant partner hub where businesses can manage bookings, and payments, and soon, even send text blasts. We also provide tools for cashless payments, which is a significant milestone for many of our partners who previously didn’t have access to credit card terminals. During the pandemic, we launched the e-commerce aspect of Parlon to help salons sell deals online.
The beauty and wellness industry is growing exponentially. From basic treatments like rebonding and gel manicures, the industry has expanded to include a wide range of advanced hair treatments and aesthetic procedures. The behaviour of people is continuously changing, especially with social media. People now are more conscious about their looks and more adventurous to try out other things.
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I love learning, especially in managing a startup where there are things that you need to learn on your own. I make it a priority to stay updated with the latest industry trends and innovations. I’m always reading industry journals, attending conferences and participating in webinars. This constant learning helps me stay on top of the latest developments in the beauty and wellness sector.
As a co-founder of Parlon, I have learnt to be humble enough to acknowledge mistakes and learn from them. If I have given up in the first seen zone, there will be no Parlon now. Working on innovative solutions is really hard. Things might not go according to plan, but it’s actually your art and strategy that will make it work. It’s just a matter of grit.
My goal for Parlon is to be a lifestyle super app someday, not just in the Philippines but across Southeast Asia. We already have some dental clinics in place. We’re looking at expanding to fitness and also other medical needs. I see Parlon becoming the go-to platform for all beauty and wellness needs, for those who would want to pamper and take care of themselves. The goal really is to have a more beautiful life.
Syrah is Tatler Philippines’ Power & Purpose editor, where she spotlights extraordinary journeys shaping the Philippines and Asia. She covers business, innovation, impact, and culture—chasing the people, ideas and forces shaping how we live and think today.
