WHAT WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM POWER COUPLE RICCO AND TINA OCAMPO

I have known Ricco Ocampo and his wife Tina Maristela Ocampo for over 30 years. Thanks to their entrepreneurial know-how, stores like Sari-Sari Store, Mix, The Black Shop, Anonymous, Dalagita and Pambahay came to life and dominated the retail scene in the '90s until the early 2000's.

These days, Ricco and Tina are also the proud owners of the affordable eyewear shop i2i New York.

Recently, retailer (and restaurateur) Ricco invited 30 guests to his home to give them a glimpse of his holiday collection. Trust Ricco and Tina to gather friends to lunch, chat, and most importantly, shop!

As we waited for lunch to be served, we guests were escorted to the lower ground floor of the Ocampo home, which Ricco converted into his showroom.

One room was for the collection of Forth Way, a line of luxurious bed and bath linens like bedsheets and pillowcases made from Egyptian cotton.

In another room was Casa Collective, a curated collection of home and interior accessories ranging from Moroccan rugs, handmade crocheted items like placemats and coasters made in La Union, and glassware and ceramics from Japan.

The last room was for Puro Lino, a line of elegant ladies' linen wear that emphasizes comfort and style; and Celestina, named after Tina, an international brand that manufactures exquisite minaudieres and crocodile handbags.

Because Ricco and Tina are also foodies, they have also ventured into the food business as well with establishments like Kai, the modern Japanese restaurant in Greenbelt; Cerveseria, a vibrant Spanish restaurant in BGC known for its authentic flavors and lively atmosphere; Mangan, which serves beloved Kapampangan dishes; and Isogi, a quick-service Japanese eatery at San Antonio Plaza for on-the-go diners.

Given Ricco and Tina's successes in the retail and food industries, and how much we could all learn from them, what else could I do but interview one of my favorite power couples? Here are excerpts from my conversation with them.

Who does the sourcing?

"We are both actively involved in the sourcing process."

How do you choose the items that you will sell?