Meet Rain Agullana | Researcher & Army-preneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rain Agullana and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rain, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my business out of love for stationery. One day, when I got assigned to work from home. As I was trying to convert our extra room into a home office, I realized that I have collected more than enough stationeries for myself. That’s when I knew I had to sell them. I started making grab packs filled with different stationeries. And when I got done, I asked myself “how much am I willing to pay if I am buying these stationeries?”, that’s how I came up with a flat price of $1 for the stationeries that I will be selling. As days go by, I launched my Instagram shop called ‘PenPal’. It means: “ people who write to each other, particularly via postal mail ”. I came up with that name because, I use my stationeries to write letters to love ones or friends. After launching my Instagram shop, I immediately got an invite from Ulysse of FYP to vend at their event. After that I got more pop-up invites and the rest is history.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I work at a Cancer Center here in Houston. I started as a Barista there and after I graduated, I started to move up the career ladder in the hospital industry. Now, I am part of their research team. I am where I am right now because my Mom taught me to treat everything and everyone as a blessing. When I was a barista, I didn’t know that the people I have small conversations with, will be the same people interviewing me on the job interviews and later on, would hire me. Same with my small business. I just started enjoying little talks with customers and next thing I knew they were the ones referring me to the event organizers that organizes pop-up events. The friends that I have helped in the past are the ones that helped me build up my business. Starting up was not easy as challenges come along your way, but if you treat everything as a blessing, your heart will be filled with gratitude and it helps you to move further. That is what I want to share to others. A positive outlook in life, perseverance and a heart filled with gratitude will help you come a long way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to our health museum, visit Silos at Sawyer Yards to see artworks, take them to Buffalo Bayou park for a walk, eat at midtown, grab a drink at the heights. On a weekend, I would take them to Pop-up events that showcases Houstonian vendors.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Thank you to Ulysse of @UlysseTruly, you don’t know how that first invite made a huge impact for me.

To my friends from Ube Co HTX, to Maheen of Tutti Frutti Sugarland, to Ria of Shop Summer 87, to the event organizers thank you for the help you have given me.

To all the PenPals and Army who are always there to support me. You guys are my inspiration to spread positivity. Borahae.

To Krystel, to my friends, and family, thank you so much.

And last but not the least to my husband Vinny, for supporting me and keeping up with me. I love you.

Instagram: @PenPalHTX

Facebook: PenPal HTX