Lourd Ramos: Numbers count

There was a time in the life of TRESemmé Philippines brand ambassador Lourd Ramos when he didn’t know what to do with his life. But today, he’s the picture of confidence and sophistication. He has to be, what with running his own chain of salons and guesting in Asia’s Next Top Model to do makeovers for the contestants. Lourd himself says that wasn’t always the case.

“Oh my God, I was having a midlife crisis,” he says of that time. “I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life. I considered moving to another country and engaging in retail therapy, yung tipong ilalabas ko yung problema ko sa pagbili ng bag at sapatos. Eventually, I decided to stay here and start my own business instead. So Creations by Lourd Ramos Salon was born.”

Lourd says the most difficult thing about being an entrepreneur is that you have to know your numbers even if math isn’t your strongest suit. The failure or success of your business depends on you knowing your numbers and knowing them well. So although he never really liked math, Lourd bit the bullet and immersed himself in numbers.

“You and your people have to become mathematicians. I so hate numbers — I think that’s the hallmark of a creative personality — but I had no choice. I had to learn my numbers otherwise, I might encounter problems down the road,” he says.

When asked what the best thing about being an entrepreneur is in his opinion, Lourd replies quickly, “It’s being able to see your people succeed in life as the brand succeeds. For example, before, the kids of my stylists only studied in public schools. Now, they all study in private schools. I like being able to see their development. I’m so happy to see their progress in life. I love that I’m able to help them.”

Lourd is all about helping people. He says that’s the philosophy on which he built his entire chain of salons. When a client shows up on his doorstep, he tries his best to make sure they leave feeling good about their hair — which in turn makes them feel good about themselves.

The business has since grown by leaps and bounds. Lourd not only has several successful branches all over the metro — his latest is on the ground floor of the Eton Cyberpod Corinthian, located at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Ave. — but he has also become the go-to stylist of Asia’s Next Top Model. Lourd has done all the contestants’ makeovers since the first cycle.

“Asia’s Next Top Model was a blessing that came when I joined TRESemmé Philippines. I went to Malaysia with some other TRESemmé ambassadors. I told myself, ‘Ay, kakabugin ko ang mga ito.’ Good I was pretty and thin at that time,” he laughs.

“And then I was told that I would be joining the panel. That was an on-the-spot blessing. Honestly, I feel blessed because there are so many TRESemmé ambassadors all over Asia and they chose me and my team from Creations to do all the makeovers. They’ve asked me back for every season, so they must have loved me that first year!”

Lourd says the easiest makeover he ever did on the show was for a contestant from Thailand who was in Cycle 4. “She’s a beauty queen who transformed into a model. Her hair was so long and we chopped it short, like Rihanna’s. She was shocked, but she quickly accepted it, and when you have acceptance, then everything will fall into place.”

Unfortunately, the Philippines has yet to win the Asia’s Next Top Model title. Filipinas came really close to winning in Cycles 1, 2 and 3 — with Stephanie Retuya, Jodilly Pendre, Katarina Rodriguez and Monika Sta. Maria all coming in second.

When asked why he thinks that’s the case, Lourd says he doesn’t know exactly, but advises future Filipino contenders to be bolder.

“I think we still lack discipline and courage. I always tell the girls that they should push it to the boundaries.”

That mirrors Lourd’s own approach to life. He’s always looking for new mountains to climb — which is the secret of his success. He never rests on his laurels. “I always ask myself, what’s next? What else can I help people with?’” he says.