How Jennylyn Mercado avoids legal issues as an entrepreneur

Jennylyn Mercado and husband Dennis Trillo —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Actress Jennylyn Mercado has built a successful business over the past decade with her salon, DYLN Style Lounge. She describes her management style as similar to how she handles her two children—with a bit of “tough love.”

As a businesswoman, Mercado said she could be strict. “You can’t afford to be neglectful when managing a business. You can’t be too lenient either, or you expose yourself to abuse,” she said.

“I treat my employees like my children, balancing firmness with love. That’s one of the most important lessons I’ve learned from the failures I’ve encountered in business.” Mercado shared these insights during a recent visit to her salon on Maginhawa Street in Diliman, Quezon City.

She also emphasizes the importance of being prudent, meticulous, and methodical in all aspects of business. Given the recent legal challenges faced by some celebrities, we asked her what she does to avoid legal issues in business.

In November, a warrant of arrest for syndicated estafa was issued against actor Ken Chan. A few weeks earlier, Neri Naig, wife of Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda, was arrested for a similar case. Actor Ricardo Cepeda also spent 11 months in jail before being allowed to post bail. In 2023, Luis Manzano was accused of syndicated estafa by investors in a company he allegedly coowned.

“I’ve made it a habit to review all my contracts carefully, long before these cases made headlines,” Mercado said. “I’m lucky to have a dedicated legal team that often catches details I might overlook before I sign anything.”

She also emphasized the importance of due diligence and not rushing into decisions. “Don’t be in such a hurry to say ‘yes’ to everything. If possible, avoid taking on partners unless absolutely necessary. If you can, build your business on your own.”

Mercado handles her DYLN team with a balance of love and firmness.

Open communication

Married to actor Dennis Trillo, Mercado said she always consults her spouse before making big business decisions. “I keep him updated on every move I make. It’s important to be open with your partner, and your family. Don’t wait until you’re in a tough spot to ask for their help. They can guide you from the start, and that can help you avoid problems later on,” she said.

The couple enjoys spending time together at the salon, often enjoying services like hair treatments and vitamin IV drips.

“Dennis likes the hair growth treatment, and we always do the vitamin IV (intravenous) drip together. It’s essential because we’re constantly out and about, exposed to lots of people. Regularly boosting our immune system is important,” she said. “I also love getting my hair cut and colored at the salon.”

Mercado launched her salon in 2014 under the name Fit and Form, initially intended as a wellness center. However, when her business partner opted out, she shifted the focus. “In hindsight, it was a blessing in disguise,” she said. “The business wouldn’t have survived this long if we had stuck to the original plan.”

The salon was later rebranded as DYLN Style Lounge, after her daughter, Dylan Jayde. With a new interior and a broader range of services, the business has flourished.

“I’ve faced many failures while managing the salon. There were days when we had few clients, but we never considered closing. We always found new ways to attract customers and offer new services,” she said.

Mercado also prioritizes quality in her offerings. “Building trust with our regular clients is crucial. We use only top-quality haircare brands and materials for eyelash extensions because we’re dealing with the eyes. I test the products myself before introducing them to clients.

“For the IV treatments, we have a registered nurse on call and conduct skin tests before administering the IV. We’re very cautious because it goes directly into the veins,” she explained.

She also revealed plans to launch her own beauty product line. DYLN Style Lounge (@dylnstyklelounge on Instagram or DYLN Style Lounge on Facebook) is now also open for franchising, she added.

DYLN Style Lounge is open for franchising.

Advice

Mercado stressed the importance of being hands-on as an entrepreneur. “Know where your money is going and monitor the regularity of your earnings. If you’re considering a partner, make sure you know them well—do your research,” she advised.

Mercado also suggested avoiding loans from banks. “You can’t predict what might happen in the future. If you can’t repay the loan, it could affect not only the business, but also your household,” she pointed out.

In addition to the salon, Mercado and Trillo have started their own production company, Brightburn Entertainment. Their first project was co-producing Zig Dulay’s drama “Green Bones” with GMA Films. The film, which starred Trillo in the lead role, earned him the Best Actor award at the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival.

“We’re excited to be on the other side of the fence now,” Mercado said. “We get to choose the projects we want to be part of. It’s great because we can share our ideas, and they now have a better chance of becoming films.” INQ