IN THE HEART of Marikina, amidst a thriving coffee culture, an all-women owned café has been quietly making a difference. Overflow Café is not just another coffee shop—it’s a testament to the strength of women turning dreams into reality.
Founded by five sisters—Michelle Crisostomo, Edna Galang, Josine De Leon, Ivy Galang, and Pauline Galang—Overflow Café was born out of love and necessity. “We started three years ago, post-pandemic,” Michelle, the CEO, recalls. “Pauline, our youngest, is a pastry chef. She decided to come home for good, and we wanted something we could invest in as a family. My sisters love coffee; I learned to love coffee along the way. But more than that, we wanted something we could call our own.”
Their name, Overflow, is rooted in their faith. Inspired by Psalm 23:5, “My cup overflows,” the sisters saw their business as an extension of their blessings—overflowing from their mother’s love, their love for each other, and their desire to serve others. “It’s a ministry,” Michelle explains. “We want this café to be the salt and light in our community, a place where people can feel that they are welcome, safe, and valued.”
Setbacks and Growth
Like any small business, Overflow Café faced numerous hurdles, particularly in meeting sales targets and ensuring their staff was well-compensated. However, the sisters relied on faith and the kindness of their network. Their full-time jobs outside of Overflow helped sustain the café, and through it, they’ve been able to support working students, some of whom have saved up for their education and creative pursuits.
“One of them was able to buy a laptop for college, another saved up for a DSLR camera,” Michelle recounts. For them, Overflow is not just a place of business but a stepping stone for others to reach their dreams.
Starting with little business experience, the sisters had to learn through trial and error. Decisions, like installing air conditioning, were made slowly, taking into account both finances and the café’s evolving identity. One of their biggest challenges has been maintaining their core values while staying relevant in Marikina’s highly competitive coffee scene. “It’s not just about being another café—it’s about standing out while staying true to who we are,” Michelle explains.
Sisterhood and Success
While some view a family business as a hassle, the sisters see the contrary as they believe that it is always good to do business with a strong support system. They emphasized that their success heavily relies on keeping themselves grounded through avoiding the hunger for title and money. As sisters they always remind themselves that “…when you are grounded by what you want to achieve together, egos fade away.”
Although there are times when they have contradicting views on business decisions, like owning an espresso machine, Michelle would always recall the trust and respect she has on the different views of her sisters, such as Pauline who has the expertise to decide whether or not they should own the said machine.
“I have to be able to align on what I think is good for the business and not because other people said it’s the way to go,” Michelle stated. Since for her Overflow is a passion project, something they can call their own.
A Beacon of Hope
Everything is a privilege, as Michelle stressed that not all women have the same opportunities and resources. Hence, she advised that women as well as young business owners must “Start small, dream big, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.” With this, she recalled that it is important to find a safe space with people who can point out one’s mistakes, support one’s dream, and pray for one’s well being.
“Your dream will take you places for as long as you don’t give up on it,” she emphasized. For her, failure is part of growth and it is alright to receive unfavorable results as it will soon yield success.
At the end of the day, Michelle along with her sisters reminded themselves that success is not about monetary value but on the help they rendered on the people they meet from different walks of life. “For us it’s different, it’s the people we have helped along the way, it’s the customers that have come through our doors and said that they had never tasted coffee this good—it’s the learning that I have learned owning a business,” she reflected.
Michelle ended her speech by introducing their family advocacy regarding deaf awareness through her sister Ivy Galang. She shared that their café is made inclusive and accessible for deaf people through free basic sign language classes and displaying informative posters in Overflow.
(with Aliyah Buene Aya-ay)