For Anna J. “AJ” Opeña, grace isn’t just a word — it’s a way of life. It’s in how she leads her teams, designs her products and even how she sees self-care: A mindful act that deserves beauty, intention and heart. The founder of Nails.Glow — a beauty and wellness brand with over 100 branches nationwide and five in Saudi Arabia — AJ has long been at the forefront of empowering women through entrepreneurship. But her latest venture, MURY, takes her philosophy of beauty and purpose to a new level.

Born from frustration, built on love

The idea for MURY came not from a boardroom brainstorming session, but from a small everyday irritation that led to a greater revelation. During the pandemic, AJ contracted Covid-19 — twice. “It happened because of a small but important detail,” she recalled. “Every time I changed my bag to match my outfit, I’d forget to transfer my alcohol bottle.”

That simple frustration became her “why.” “I wanted to create a hand bottle that women will not forget,” she explained. “Not just because it’s functional, but because it deserves to belong in a luxury bag.”

And so, MURY — named after the French word “mur,”meaning wall or protection — was born. Designed as an elegant, refillable sanitizer shaped like a heart, the Armure Collection comes in two tones — amber and nude — with complementary gold and silver charms that match the hardware of luxury bags. “It’s a small detail,” AJ said, “but for women, those small details matter.”

Luxury with a purpose

At first glance, MURY’s heart-shaped bottles might appear purely aesthetic. But for AJ, the design is symbolic — it’s literally made out of love. “I believe something this good should be shared,” she said. “It’s hygiene, it’s health, it’s care — and those are all expressions of love.”

The bottle itself is the product of four years of development. Every element, from its precision spray technology to its leak-proof design, was chosen with purpose. “I wanted it to be perfect,” AJ admitted. “I invested so much time, love and capital because I wanted it to be excellent — the way I believe all things should be.”

Inside the bottle is her custom formula — a 65-percent ethyl alcohol blend infused with notes of bloody orange and vanilla, designed to sanitize without drying the skin. “It’s a sanitizer and moisturizer in one,” she said. “No need for hand cream.”

Sustainability as elegance

In an age when luxury and sustainability often seem at odds, AJ insists they can coexist beautifully. MURY’s bottles are refillable, and even the pouches are made of soft, eco-conscious plastic. “Let’s save Mother Earth in the little ways we can,” she said. “Luxury should never mean wasteful.”

Her philosophy of mindful beauty extends beyond products. “I want to redefine what ‘luxury’ means — it’s not just about cost,” she explained. “It’s about care, craftsmanship and conscience.”

A legacy of empowerment

Before MURY, AJ spent 16 years building Nails.Glow from a single salon into a nationwide beauty brand. But beyond business growth, what she’s most proud of is its impact. “At first, I was after the income,” she admitted. “But as I grew older, I realized it’s not about the money anymore. It’s about helping others.”

Through her franchising model, AJ has empowered countless women to run their own salons. “Most of our franchisees are women,” she shared. “We hold gatherings where I mentor them, share best practices, and remind them that business can be a form of service.”

Her drive for excellence and compassion, she said, was shaped by her upbringing. “My grandmother had many businesses — a bakery, a sari-sari store, a fishery. I grew up watching her work hard and thrive. She showed me what was possible.”

As for faith, it remains the foundation of everything she does. “Every day I pray that the Lord guides me,” AJ said. “I ask Him to use me — to show His love through my work.”

Doing ordinary things beautifully

Today, AJ envisions MURY going global — bringing Filipino craftsmanship and values to the international stage. But beyond success, her mission remains simple and profound: to inspire grace in the everyday.

“For me, grace is a silent type of beauty,” she said. “It’s not loud or showy, but it shines through how you live, how you treat others, and how you put care into even the smallest things.”

Through her work, AJ Opeña continues to prove that elegance isn’t about extravagance — it’s about intention. Whether it’s a manicure, a bottle of sanitizer, or a simple act of kindness, she reminds us that beauty, love and purpose can exist in every detail.

“Always give your best in whatever you do,” she advised. “When you put excellence and heart into your work, everything else — even success — naturally follows.”

Watch AJ Opena’s interview on Pairfect, hosted by DAILY TRIBUNE editor Dinah Sabal-Ventura, soon on @dailytribune on Facebook and TribuneNOW on YouTube.