TO get younger sister Julia Barretto as image model is a “no-brainer” for entrepreneur Dani Barretto, who recently unveiled her latest business, the dietary supplement, Wellness Whispers.

“From the beginning, Julia was part of the process of my R and D (research and development),” Dani said. “She was among the first ones who tried my products, I asked. So I know what products they like.

“All the changes that we did, from the packaging to the formulation, I asked them. So when I finally could afford an endorser, who better else that someone who has known my journey from the get-go.

“Julia knows the process of how I looked for a business partner for Wellness Whispers, all my hardships, all my investment. My family and I are very close. So there’s no one I want to get to represent my brand, but my sister. I will not look for anyone else.”

Julia was “shocked” when Dani offered her to endorse Wellness Whispers. “I don’t have to look for other endorsers,” Dani said. “Julia knows me so well. She knows my work ethics. She knows my brand. She’s the better representation of it.”

Dani went through the actual process of signing up an endorser. Just because Julia is her sister didn’t mean she got Julia, pro-bono.

“The TF (talent fee) is not free, although presyong kapatid,” Dani said. “I got a discount, fair pa rin and went into the proper protocol of getting an artist, but you need to pay when you secure her services.”

Dani and Julia are really close from the time they were small. Dani is four years older than Julia, yet, they are each other’s confidant.

“There was a time there were only the two of us for quite some time, that’s why Julia was the first one who was my OG (original) baby. I practiced being a big sister to her, to be responsible for another human being.”

While they were growing up, they never had any sibling rivalry even when Julia entered show business. “Wala talaga,” Dani said. “Julia and I never fought about anything regarding work because we are doing different things.

“We do different things, respectively. We didn’t have interests that clashed. She asks for my help if she needs it. I’m very glad that my siblings put me on such high pedestal as the eldest. They really respect my opinion.

“The best part about this is that we’re siblings. It’s an easy relationship. I can listen to her opinions. If Julia has an input about the product that needs to be improved, she can easily tell me. For me, this is an ideal partnership.”

Wellness Whispers is a brand that addresses or helps manage the health and wellness needs of consumers.

The variants are winter melon milktea, for hair, skin and nails. Pomelo juice is an immunity booster, while matcha milk with lavender extract is for stress relief.

Dani was herself surprised with how the public accepted her product and she’s proud of it.

“We had the initial stock that those were the only ones we would sell,” she said. “Four months ago, we started in just a small office. But we didn’t expect the pace the products went off.

“Today, we got a bigger office. The products boomed. So far, we don’t encounter bad problems yet.”

Dani didn’t ask for money from her mom (Marjorie) to start her business. “Hindi po talaga,” she said. “I’m just very glad that I have a business partner (Liezel Jorge), who believed in my vision and supported me from the start.

“It’s different to trust your partner with a big brand like this. The proper guidance and vision, I got that from her (Liezel). I am very grateful for that.”

Dani started with skin care two years ago. “That was my savings,” she said. “You have to be responsible for your own things in life. What if it fails? It’s different when it’s your own money.”

She attested it’s easy to start a business these days and she’s thankful for that. “Social media makes it easier for us,” she said. “I really love live streaming because you can talk to your partner and your clients.

“I hear what they want and what products they need. No one else will care for your brand but you. It’s for you to take advantage of.”

She first started with her bag brand before the pandemic. “I’m very hands on with everything, the process of how to start it,” Dani said. “From looking for suppliers to manufacturing the bags.

“But I had to sacrifice those bags. Then I focused on the skin care brand, we worked with distributors and resellers at that time and we’re tying up with a Korean brand so we’re rebranding and relaunching very soon.”

Her “sense of drive” within herself made her embark on those things that she does. “I am a go-getter,” Dani said proudly. “As long as I can do it, I will push through with it. You should know your strengths and weaknesses. I know I can do something like that.”

Her better half and husband of five years, Xavi Panlilio, is her back-end guy for Wellness Whispers. “He’s my accounting guy,” Dani said. “I think that’s the best balance between my husband and I.

“I’m the marketing girl on the forefront. I sell wherever I can do it. But don’t make me do the accounting.”

Dani is expected to give birth to her second baby, a boy, this November. She and Xavi have an eldest child, Millie, turning five next month.

“Baby No. 2 was not planned, so my husband I were really surprised,” Dani disclosed. “So we had to make some big changes. We had to renovate our house for the baby’s room, which used to be just an office. The kitchen also underwent a renovation.

“Happy na kami sa dalawa, but if God gives us another one, that’s His will. We’ll just love them.”