Catherine Espayos is a Franchise Business Consultant for House of Franchise and JC Middle East. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

When you meet Catherine Espayos, her confidence and warmth fill the room. It’s hard to imagine that this successful Franchise Business Consultant for House of Franchise and JC Middle East once started as a young girl in Rizal, Philippines; juggling household chores and taking care of her siblings while her mother hustled to make ends meet. “We are five siblings, and I’m the eldest,” she recalls in an Expat Media exclusive interview. “My mother was always working, selling biscuits and cured meat in the morning, and even helping organize number games. I basically grew up helping her raise my younger siblings.” Catherine says it molded her into who she is today. “I only realized later that it was my preparation for greater responsibility,” she muses. “I got used to being trusted with important things.” Growing up, Catherine dreamed of working abroad. “My mom always said, ‘Study hard so you can work overseas,’” she says. That dream drove her to take up Business Management in college, supported by a scholarship program through a popular Filipino fast-food chain. Her hard work paid off. She was offered a full-time job after graduation and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a shift manager within a few years. But she knew her story wouldn’t end there. Catherine was eventually offered a job in Dubai for a major international fast-food chain. Despite her husband’s initial hesitation, she took a leap of faith and moved to the UAE in 2014. “I told him, ‘I know myself. I can do more once I’m in Dubai.’ This is just a starting point.” Her first job in the UAE paid only Dh1,800, but she was determined to succeed. “From day one, I already knew my goal: to be better than everyone around me,” she said. That confidence paid off. Within six months, she was promoted to assistant restaurant manager, and more promotions followed. Over eight years, she rose to become a training coordinator for operations across the UAE and Oman, earning a reputation as one of the most respected Filipino F&B professionals in the UAE. “The best feedback I ever received from my trainees was, ‘I want to be like you,’” Catherine says, smiling. Eventually, Catherine moved to a new company as a senior training specialist. “It was a big risk because I left my comfort zone to accept that job,” she admits. “But that move gave me the confidence to believe that I could handle even greater things.”

A salon and a side hustle

Her first taste of entrepreneurship came when she opened a salon in Dubai. “It ran for three years and earned well, but we sold it because we were planning to migrate to Canada.” That plan never materialized. Covid struck, and the move was postponed indefinitely. Unsure about her next move, Catherine prayed for guidance. That prayer was answered when a friend introduced her to JC and House of Franchise, brands offering drop shipping and community franchising for food and wellness products. Initially skeptical, Catherine gave JC and House of Franchise a closer look and her professional instincts kicked in. “As a training specialist in F&B, I studied their business model. Everything made sense,” she says. “The international package only cost Dh1,498 and included food concepts and health and wellness products. I liked that it was accessible for OFWs.” Catherine invested less than Dh2,000 to start her business with House of Franchise and JC Middle East. Through dedication and discipline, she mastered the eight ways to earn in the system—from online franchising to drop shipping. Within just six months, she earned her first million pesos in commission, which she used to buy a piece of land in the Philippines. Her success continued as she hit new milestones, including earning the title of “sports car achiever” after receiving a Dodge Challenger as an incentive. She also enjoys travel incentives, with her latest trip being an all-expense-paid vacation to Switzerland. “Before, we lived paycheck to paycheck,” Catherine says. “Now, we have extra income to buy what we want, eat out without worrying, and travel as a family.” Her monthly income from the business now reaches around Dh10,000, on top of her full-time job. She remains rooted in her faith, thanking God for the blessings in her life and hoping to share those blessings with those around her. Catherine now focuses on mentoring other Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who want to build their own businesses. “I coach them to change their mindset,” she said. “Most OFWs were raised to study hard to get a job, but not to open their own business.” She believes the key to long-term success are credibility and consistency. “I don’t hard sell. I walk the talk,” she says. “People trust me because I’m authentic. When they see your results, they’ll listen.” Her ultimate goal? “To help more OFWs create sustainable income. I want to see them live comfortably without fear of the future.” As she looks ahead, Catherine is focused on duplicating her success by training others. “My goal is to help more OFWs earn their first million pesos,” she said. “Because if I can do it, anyone can—with the right mindset and opportunity.

JC Organic Barley: the super drink that changed Catherine’s life

Aside from running her business, Catherine is a nutritionist—a qualification required by Dubai Municipality for food and safety trainers. Naturally, she is particular about what she consumes. “I really like JC Organic Barley,” she says. “It contains 68 micronutrients and is made from pure New Zealand barley. I take it every morning before breakfast. It helps me sleep better, and it even cured my hemorrhoids!” She added that her mother, who has high blood pressure, also benefits from barley. “It’s the best-tasting barley drink out there,” Catherine says with conviction. “That’s why I always recommend it.” MAM/Expat Media

Reach out to Catherine on Facebook or via +971545570882.  This story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine

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