Multitasking is not an easy thing to do, especially for a celebrity like Antoinette Taus who, aside from her showbiz career, juggles her time between heading the non-profit organization CORA (Communities Organized for Resource Allocation) and managing a social enterprise called The Sustainable Planet.

Fortunately, the actress found a reliable partner, Dorelene Villanueva Dimaunahan, who shares her love for work and for helping others.

“Dorelene initially came in as a consultant and then decided to dedicate more efforts to these businesses.

“She has been taking care of all our legal and financial matters and helping us with the business side of things,” Antoinette shares.

She adds, “Dore's work for the non-profit is actually voluntary and is pro-bono. It's her way of giving back. We're very grateful for that as well, as friends and, of course, as fellow advocates.”

To maintain a harmonious relationship, one of the important things to keep in mind is having the same passion for their business.

Antoinette is grateful that she's able to maintain a good working relationship with her partner Dorelene because they have a lot of common experiences at work and in life.

They share that their past experiences, both good and bad, serve as sources of inspiration and passion, for them to become stronger and attain their ultimate goals.

Antoinette shares, “We have a tendency to overwork. But it's also our inner nature of really wanting to stay focused and wanting to help give back as much as we can, not waste time and achieve what we can.”

Dore echoes Antoinette's statement, “I have to admit, working is really fun for me and I guess for us!

“We want to be able to share our God-given talents through our works and make a difference.”

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

In spite of their hard work, Antoinette and Dore spend simple times together to go out, talk, share personal matters and give advice to one another.

Antoinette highlights that “this does not mean that every working relationship has to be the same. At the end of the day, it remains a case-to-case basis.

“For us, it really works that we have a professional relationship and a friendship at the same time.”

As for Dore, she shares that “even if I feel tired, the moment Antoinette would message or call me to go out even at the middle of the night already excites me!

“Every single time we go out, it's simply about enjoying each other's company. The day becomes another one for the books!”

ON KEEPING A STARTUP

Meanwhile, Antoinette shares something unique about her startups.

She says that these have been something she has frequently talked about and dreamed about, without even realizing that these already became a startup.

The Sustainable Planet is a business-for-good, centered in improving the lives of indigenous peoples and those living in poverty in the Philippines through livelihood programs and biodiversity-friendly enterprises.

Antoinette's work for this startup is easier through the help of Dorelene, who is known as a serial entrepreneur. As such, she has involvement in various industries.

Her experiences, both good and bad, are what made her become a strong and independent woman, who teaches in various universities and conducts training for different companies as well.

Just like any other startup, both women admit that they face their own challenges as they run their businesses.

But Antoinette and Dorelene rise up to these challenges because of their determination and burning desire to serve and to help in the case of Antoinette.

Both of them also believe in collaboration, empowerment and continuous learning.

ADVICE TO BUSINESS PARTNERS

Antoinette and Dorelene agree that having different strengths and weaknesses are part of business relationships because they balance or compensate each other's personalities.

They also agree that alignment of vision, mission and values help make businesses succeed.

They say these with much fervor because they experienced these together.

So to fellow startup owners, Antoinette advises, “When it comes to startups, relationships are important because no matter what, you have to be able to get along with the person you're working with--know how to answer their questions, know what makes them tick, know what makes them feel and know what makes them more empowered.

“If you're not happy with the person you're working with, I feel like it's ultimately going to affect your work.

“You need to like or at least care about each other, but it would be great if you share the same passions, goals and the same dreams.”