From the Local Fish Market in the Philippines to a Swedish E-Commerce Entrepreneur
Kristina Mero Eriksson grew up in a poor family in the Philippines with 5 siblings and 32 first cousins. She met her Swedish love and today the leader of more than 130 employees who are all working in Swedish E-Commerce. With a big heart and diligence, Kristina has made an inspiring life journey.
The first question that comes to mind when talking to Kristina is how she ended up in Sweden and how was she able to become fluent with the language. The truth is, Kristina speaks the Swedish language flawlessly and fluently.
"Through my aunt, I met a Swedish guy who later become my husband and at the age of 20 I moved to Sweden.”, says Kristina who is now 41 years old.
Kristina studied at SFI in Linköping and worked in the home care center to earn extra money. She also had training as a Nursing Assistant which she also practiced in Sweden. It took her 8 years in Sweden for her life to have a complete turn. It was when she met the entrepreneur Peter Eriksson in one of the parties hosted by their friend. Love arose between the two and the couple went to the E-Commerce city of Borås.
According to Kristina, that time was really crazy! Peter worked almost round the clock at Nelly.com and she took every extra shift at SÄS (Södra Älvsborgs Hospital). This was to make her busy and to hone her skills just like Peter.
“We almost never got to see each other because of our respective professions. However, it was always pleasant whenever we met.” Exclaimed Kristina with a big gaping laugh and a slap at my shoulder.
“My grandmother really taught me hard work. I remember when I was only 7 years old, I was woken up at 4 in the morning to accompany my grandmother or mother to the fish market to sell soy sauce and vinegar. I used the money we earn to pay for school fees.”, Kristina continues.
Kristina also says that during her pregnancy with her first son in Sweden, she would visit Nelly's warehouse in Borås in the evenings and cleaned and assembled the warehouse shelves with her husband. Work has always been there and became part of their life.
Later on, the couple had the opportunity to have parental leave from work and try out a life in the Philippines. As a result, they both established a new business in Manila, OnlineFactory, which is an outsourcing company specializing in services to Swedish e-retailers in customer support, micro influencers, and content-management.
“I never thought that with my poor background in life and training as an assistant nurse in Sweden would end up as an Office Manager. I have the responsibility for more than 130 employees who all work for some of Sweden’s leading e-retailers. This is even bigger than any of the dreams I had when I was still a 7-year-old girl in the fish market.”, says Kristina.
Kristina continues to talk about the current tough situation of a mere 5-month lockdown and quarantine in the Philippines due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Businesses and establishments in the Philippines are mostly closed down, but OnlineFactory has always been able to continue its operation. This is made possible even if most of the employees work remotely.
“I am very much grateful that my family, relatives, the company, and its employees have managed us so well in this time of crisis. However, it is really painful to see how poor people are affected by the COVID 19 crisis. I know and understand what it is like since I have been there myself.” Kristina concludes.
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