Episodes

  • It’s been a year since we launched Weekends With Jan. For the past year, I spent Sundays with you guys talking to some of the most amazing Filipino freelancers in an effort to inspire you with their stories so that you can have the courage and confidence in your freelance journey as well.

    That is why for our anniversary special, I picked 2 outstanding guests from our previous episodes to join us to celebrate this milestone.

    Joining us in this episode to give you even more inspiring stories including the behind the scenes of their wins are coach Rommel Isla and Gerson Lacdao.

    Jump right in as I, Rommel, and Gerson talk about our 2022 experience as freelancers and what we look forward to the most this 2023.

    Rommel Isla is an experienced NLP practitioner, Sales closer, and hypnotherapist. He is driven by curiosity and fascination. He takes pride in providing the best sales closing for independent professionals. As a sales trainer, his goals include allowing independent professionals to charge for the value they provide and helping them improve their internal and external way of communicating with others and with themselves. 

    Gerson Lacdao is a WordPress frontend developer and web accessibility advocate. He works with non-profits and other digital agencies in creating inclusive websites that are compliant with relevant legislations worldwide. In his free time, he teaches WordPress, web accessibility, and best practices in web development.

    In this anniversary special episode, we talk about how our 2022 went as freelancers including both our mistakes and biggest takeaways. We’ll also give you hints on what to look forward to from us this year.

    “The credibility of the Filipinos is what I really want to highlight in this show… It’s more for them [the listeners] to deeply understand that us, as service providers, are not just after money or clients. We have deep reasons why we do what we do.” – Jan Briones

    What you’ll learn from this episode:

    Learn how to handle the issue of speed, comparison and other limiting beliefs;Find out why it is really important that you set your goals early instead of simply “diving” into the opportunities; andAcquire valuable tips from Rommel and Gerson on how to start up and how to stay away from bad habits as you go along in the freelancing world

    Topics Covered:

    03:34 – Introducing our guests for our anniversary special episode, Gerson Lacdao and coach Rommel Isla

    04:33 – Kumustahan with Gerson: His life and business lately, and some of his plans for 2023

    06:54 – “Learn to step out of your comfort zone”: That one learning from 2022 that Gerson wants to share

    08:58 – Kumustahan with Coach Rommel: His life and business lately, and why 2023 has been fast-paced for him so far

    10:09 – Corporate life, networking, and initiating conversations: the new things Coach Rommel would try to do this year

    13:28 – “I’m more into walking them through… instead of telling them what to do and when to do it”: How coach Rommel makes his students take action 

    15:25 – Speed, comparisons, and other limiting beliefs: Coach Rommel’s biggest takeaway from 2022

    20:07 – “Be uncomfortable in being uncomfortable”: What fuels Gerson’s desire to step out of his comfort zone

    22:21 – “We have the notion that when we do things fast, it sacrifices the quality of the output”: Coach Rommel’s take on working on a fast pace

    28:27 – Speed and procrastination: The previous mistakes that Rommel wants to correct this year

    33:03 – Business processes and working with teammates: things Gerson wants to improve on for 2023

    36:03 – Gerson’s focus for 2023: Collaboration, delegation, and outsourcing

    38:53 – “Tumalon lang ako sa opportunity… I did not even have the goal”: Jan’s past mistakes that she wants to

  • What is that one big goal that you’ve always wanted to achieve?

    Is it being able to live as free as you’d like to be? Is it about becoming stable financially? Is it to become genuinely happy?

    Whatever that is, as our guest today says – when you decide, you should do your best to make it happen.

    Yes, it won’t be easy, but your life won’t change for the better if you’re going to just sit there and watch your life fall flat.

    She did it at 19, and so can you. Tune in as we learn how big of a game changer clarity and effort are in today’s episode!

    Mechelle Carpio is a former call center agent who's now a Shopify Conversion Specialist helping e-Commerce businesses in the US, Australia, UK & in the Philippines. She has the vision to help 1000 Shopify store owners by 2030 by building conversion-focused websites.

    Mechelle is also the founder of Fearless Orange – a one-stop agency for all your e-commerce marketing needs. She has already helped 100+ Shopify store owners in the past 2 years with the help of her team.

    In this episode, Mechelle shares how self-motivation, clarity, and discipline helped her become a successful shopify conversion specialist at such a very young age of 22.

    “If you decide, do your best to make it work.” – Mechelle Carpio

    What you’ll learn from this episode:

    Recognize the importance of doing your best to make your decisions come into fruition first before having and going after a Plan B;

    Understand how taking advantage of free courses could turn into your biggest change/win in life;

    Discover why it’s crucial that you find the positive in every situation and take a step back whenever you feel pressured and/or hopeless

    Topics Covered:

    06:49 – Mechelle shares her life’s backstory, focusing on the journey she’s gone through before becoming a shopify conversion specialist

    14:48 – Deciding to focus on freelancing, realizing how much of a big help The Freelance Movement Tribe is

    17:41 – How the “if I make a decision, I need to make it work” helped Mechelle to keep going despite all the circumstances

    21:49 – The challenge: Not having clients two months after she’s resigned

    23:39 – What’s in the shopify/ecommerce industry that made Mechelle decide to focus on it

    26:28 – Discussion about the worst objections that Mechelle has received

    31:25 – The biggest wins: Having your parents retire at a young age, and being able to invest

    39:40 – Mechelle shares what inspires her to keep going and do better as she practice freelancing

    47:30 – The importance of having clarity when it comes to putting effort and working to achieve your goal/s

    50:24 – Talking about the origin of Mechelle’s agency, Fearless Orange, as well as the services they offer

    56:04 – Mechelle’s own definition of ‘success’

    59:30 – Mechelle’s piece of advice: “If you decide, do your best to make it work.”

    Key Takeaways:

    “If I make a decision, I need to make it work. ‘Wag ka munang magkaroon ng Plan B. You have your Plan A; now make it work. Kung wala talaga but you know that you did your best, then go for Plan...

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  • Happy New Year, everyone! Hope you all had a remarkable holiday season with your loved ones. Doing this on the very first day of the year feels so fulfilling as I’m able to start the year with you.

    One of the things I love to do to start the year is to look back to the year that has been and take all the learnings I received. That’s why in this episode, we go back down memory lane as I bring to you some of the golden nuggets from our amazing guests for the past years!

    It’s been a while now; can you believe that we’re already on our 42nd episode? It’s been a fruitful journey, learning from all the guests we’ve invited here. Join me as we recall each episode’s meatiest takeaways today. Sit back and relax, and make sure your note-taking tools are with you. Not a single word should be missed from all these amazing freelancers/entrepreneurs!

    What you’ll learn from this episode:

    Discover a huge sum of the meatiest takeaways from the podcast’s previous episodes;Learn how it’s like being a freelancer/entrepreneur in the Philippines and what you could do to achieve your goals and dreams; andFind out how the podcast’s previous episodes play a role on your journey towards being a successful freelancer/entrepreneur

    Topics Covered:

    04:33 – The Start: Going down memory lane to talk about the golden nuggets we’ve learned from Weekends with Jan’s 1st-41st episode

    04:45 – Episode 1 with Neil Reichl

    06:24 – Episode 2 with Errol Tiozon II

    07:37 – Episode 3 with the panel that talked about Momentum

    13:52 – Episode 4 with Jungie Gumiran and Airon Dela Cruz

    16:32 – Episode 5 with Suzette Bongalosa

    18:15 – Episode 6 with Ron Del Val

    19:52 – Episode 7 with Nikki B

    21:58 – Episode 8 with Fervil Von Tripoli

    23:08 – Episode 9 with Kit Rodriguez

    24:37 – Episode 10 with Genesis Guevarra

    25:24 – Episode 11 with Ivy Trapero

    28:12 – Episode 12 with Kevin Dugan

    30:07 – Episode 13 with Rommel Isla

    32:29 – Episode 14 with Harrah Amago

    35:58 – Episode 15 with Marc Allen & Hanna Arizabal

    37:36 – Episode 16 with Dennis & Herlene Somook

    39:56 – Episode 17 with JD Ducreay

    41:43 – Episode 18 with Sariah Guanzon Ordinario

    43:08 – Episode 19 with Maria Liselle Flipphi

    45:03 – Episode 20 with Mark Bartel

    46:51 – Episode 21 with Kat Salonga

    50:01 – Episode 22 with Luis Medina

    51:50 – Episode 23 with Cenry Molinos

    53:56 – Episode 24 with Pex Reyes

    55:47 – Episode 25 with John Pagulayan

    58:50 – Episode 26 with Allan Ngo

    1:01:29 – Episode 27 with Julian Canita

    1:03:17 – Episode 28 with Ma. Luisa Hilario

    1:04:55 – Episode 29 with Aiza Coronado Domingcil

    1:06:40 – Episode 30 with Chris Ong

    1:08:55 – Episode 32 with Maan Dimla

    1:11:12 – Episode 33 with Celz...

  • Are you a freelancer who plans to scale and start your own company soon?

    Do you think you are ready to take the leap, and become the leader of your very own organization?

    Majority of freelancers dream of eventually running their own companies where they can use their skills and experience to increase their cash flow. But let’s be honest, many of us – myself included – were/are not really aware of what we might face along the way. That’s where the importance of making crucial decisions and surrounding yourself with the right people who can support you comes into the picture.

    Luckily for us, our guest for today’s episode is someone who has seen it all. Join us today as Marge Aviso talks to us about her journey as an employee, a freelancer, and the CEO and co-founder of her own company.

    Marge is the CEO and co-founder of Telework PH, an outsourcing company based in Bulacan that specializes in customer service, technical support, and data analytics. She is a Lean Six Sigma green belt, a resource trainer for the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and a registered nurse by profession.

    In this episode, Marge recalls her story of being a registered nurse, shifting her career path to BPO, freelancing, and eventually starting her very own BPO company. She shares the challenges that she and her company faced along the way and how, with the support of the right people and the guidance of the Lord, they were able to overcome it all. 

    “Sometimes, dahil hindi natin nakikita ahead what could happen, we’re so confident that we can get things done. We don’t see the risks right away because of inexperience… So, talking to someone who has experience will give you exposure sa mga possibilities. You really have to weigh the risks and the benefits.” – Marge Aviso

    What you’ll learn from this episode:

    Get an idea about some of the common struggles and challenges that BPO companies face in their early stages;Understand the importance of surrounding yourself with people who are better than you when you are in the stage of starting up; andBe inspired by the success story of Telework PH, a company that almost got bankrupt by the pandemic but now has over 1000 full-time employees

    Topics Covered:

    04:15 – Marge recalls her childhood days: Her personal and family-related challenges, and the journey from “I don’t want to be an entrepreneur” to becoming the CEO of her own BPO company

    13:35 – Not fit to be an employee: Marge’s journey from Nursing to BPO all the way to getting her first clients as a freelancer

    20:41 – The Great Leap: Marge shares the entire process that led up to the foundation of her own BPO company, Telework PH

    29:28 – Telework PH: The story behind the company name, how they started, and the field they specialize in at the present 

    35:00 – Leadership issues, near-bankruptcy, legal battles, and the pandemic: the biggest challenges that Telework PH had to overcome – and how they were able to deal with it

    46:11 – The rainbow after the storm: Telework PH’s post-crisis story

    51:51 – Preparation, asking the right questions, and hiring someone better than you: Marge’s tips for those who are planning to launch their own formal office setup

    58:13 – Telework PH is hiring! Connect with them through

  • Starting up your own business is never easy. Scaling an existing one is not a walk in the park, either.

    The truth is, most businesses fail because a lot of new business owners start-up with the odds stacked against them. The other mistake that many of them do is trying to do it alone.

    This is why time and again, we have talked about the importance of surrounding yourself with people who are capable of helping you and are willing to do so. But from here, another question arises: “Where do I find them?”

    Well, today might just be your lucky day.

    Whether you are a business owner from overseas, or a freelancer here in the Philippines, this episode might just be what you are looking for. Tune in as Joe DiChiara talks about his journey as an entrepreneur and how hiring a team of high-performing Filipino freelancers helped his business grow and succeed at levels

    Joe is an entrepreneur with a CPA license whose goal is to help business owners and aspiring business owners become successful by means of providing them with proper education and guidance. He provides affordable business training and guidance through www.bedrockuniversity.com, and also offers a full range of accounting services at very low prices through www.bedrockbusinessbuilders.com.

    In this episode, Joe narrates how he got exposed to entrepreneurship at the early age of ten. He also shares how he started as a part-time accountant and how he was able to scale his business with the help of his friend and coach, Larry. Finally, he tells us the story of how he found success in hiring Filipino virtual assistants.

    “I’m not getting any younger. And I, like many people, want to make an impact on the world. I want to leave a legacy, and one of the ways to do that is to teach.” – Joe DiChiara

    What you’ll learn from this episode:

    Learn the importance of hiring a business mentor or coach whether you are just starting up or planning to scale;Find out where you can find the best-performing freelancers in the world right now; andDiscover what Joe describes as “The perfect storm of opportunity for Filipinos”

    Topics Covered:

    07:43 – Born and raised an entrepreneur: Joe’s journey from being a ten-year-old “casino entrepreneur” to becoming a CPA, all the way to becoming a coach for business owners

    15:42 – “I want to leave a legacy”: The circumstances that gave Joe the push to coach and empower business owners

    20:22 – “He brings out the best in me”: The inspiring story of Joe’s coach, Larry, the reason Joe hired him to help him scale his business, and how he changed Joe’s business for the better

    27:33 – “There’s just something about the Philippine culture”: How and when Joe started hiring virtual assistants from the Philippines

    30:25 – The challenges: How Joe dealt with the difficulties he faced in hiring virtual assistants from 8,000 miles away

    39:34 – Enrolled Agents Certification Course: Joe’s plans to train thousands of Filipino freelancers to become IRS Enrolled Agents

    48:33 – “Freelancing is a way of life”: How freelancing in the Philippines helped a lot of businesses thrive and grow

    52:15 –The perfect storm of opportunity for Filipinos: Joe’s vision to disrupt the taxation industry in the USA by training Filipinos to become enrolled agents

    57:43 – Joe’s 2-day event, “Jumpstart Your Freelancing Career” featuring some of the biggest names in freelancing in the Philippines

    01:07:18 – Joe DiChiara’s definition of success

    Key Takeaways:

    “Once you accept that failure is part of the journey, you’ll learn what my coach says which is ‘fail fast, figure out what doesn’t work as...

  • A lucky few find their 'the one' the first time around. For those of us who don't, it's not the end of the world. It takes hard work and, yes, timing. Things fall into place largely because of it.

    Additionally, it comes down to knowing within yourself which market needs your help and where you can best help them. We want to help them reach their goals by being effective at what we do. How do you unlock that opportunity to find your dream clients as a freelancer?

    Dominic Barrios is one of the coaches in the Freelance Movement Tribe, who assists aspiring freelancers in finding premium clients online. He also recently founded Automation Marketing Ph, a Filipino chatbot community. Part of the company's mission is for freelancers in the Philippines to be able to offer chatbot automation services and learn how to price them appropriately. In this way, businesses can provide better customer service to their customers. In addition, he is also the CEO of the company's chatbot agency, Bots at Work. Their team has helped Automotive Group brands get more qualified leads through sales and marketing automation. This is impressive because some of the companies that he worked with include: Ayala Motors, KiaPhilippines, Volkswagen Philippines, Max's Philippines, Honda Motors Philippines, KTM Philippines, and a lot more. His biggest inspiration comes from his lovely wife and four daughters. 

    Dominic shares his freelancing journey with us in this episode. It wasn't easy for him to get started even though he was a licensed engineer. Despite his dream job of working for a telecom company, he didn't get it right away. Along the way, he was sidetracked into many jobs, some of which paid well, and others paid him a lifetime of lessons and skills. 

    His big break finally came when he clinched big names and brands in the automotive industry through his bot marketing. How did he do it? Let's discover what bigger opportunities opened up for him through consistent value posting and networking.

    What you will learn from this episode:

    Learn how valuable value posting and networking is and how it can make a difference in your freelancing journey.Discover how to find clarity and the market where you're called to help and serve.Find out how to show up even while facing your personal crisis.

    "If you're taking care of your business, the business itself will take care of you." 

    - Dominic Barrios

    Topics Covered:

    4:39 - Memory recall of his childhood life, his growing up years, and taking up a profession he never totally pursued

    7:34 - What it was like volunteering as a preschool teacher as his first job after college and the many work hustles he had after becoming a casting call agent soon after

    12:06 - The way leading to his chatbot automation journey and registering Bots at Work as a corporation

    17:54 - How he got big-name corporations to work with him

    20:47 - What transpired during the pandemic that he didn't reach out to these big names at that time

    23:18 - Showing up even in a depressive state of life

    25:01 - Overcoming the challenges they have to face even after the big breaks

    27:47 - Worst objections he got as a chatbot builder

    30:40 - Advice for clarity for those shifting to a new market

    32:37 - Why value posting?

    37:09 - Putting a premium on mentorship [his top three mentors and advice when getting mentors]

    40:44 - Challenges of being a coach and leading other people

    41:42 - Overcoming limiting beliefs

    42:55- Pricing your product or service

    48:14 - Why he pursued the wedding niche at one point in time

    51:08 - Defining what success is for him

    Key Takeaways:

    "Life was so hard during the pandemic, many...

  • “May pera ba talaga sa freelancing?”

    Most – if not all – freelancers have a story behind this question. Among all things in freelancing, this happens to be the one people are most curious about. It’s either we’re the ones being asked or we’re the ones looking for answers back when we haven’t started yet. And today, we’ll answer this query as we learn from this episode’s guest.

    That question was the same question he got from his parents years back, aside from the usual ‘is that legal’. Back then, they were really against his idea of doing online work, with all the no’s coming from a place of care and love. But he knew that he’ll make it; he believed that he can. And now, he’s among the big names, especially in terms of copywriting.

    So if you want to know how he made it happen, make sure that you tune in. Because today, we’ll be talking with the one and only Miguel Campaner.

    Miguel is a Filipino direct-response copywriter with over 110 million pesos in results. His mission is to help aspiring copywriters, business owners, and serial entrepreneurs sell their products and services through direct response copywriting, offer positioning, and neuroscience marketing.

    His vision is to help 100,000 entrepreneurs experience financial freedom by the end of 2030 by helping them build a lifestyle business that does not require them to chase prospects or sacrifice time with family.

    He has worked with some of the industry giants like:

    ·        Bo Sanchez of The Truly Rich Club 

    ·        J3 Patino of Pinoy Money Academy

    ·        Lish Aquino of Amazon Nation PH

    ·        John Pagulayan of The Freelance Movement 

    ·        Allan Ngo of Digital Solopreneur

    ·        Webinar Jam and

    ·        Kartra among others

     Miguel is the Founder and the CEO of Copywriting Training Camp PH, where he helps Filipinos master the basics, fundamentals, and advanced concepts of direct response copywriting.

    In this episode, Miguel narrates his freelancing journey, starting from his love for English to then becoming a big name in the copywriting industry, that despite all the doubts and trials, he’s found a way to scale and be of help to those who want to do the same.

    “The biggest lesson siguro there is to risk. You have to jump. I was always a conservative, introverted, risk-averse person, and the biggest leaps in income, personal development, and even mindset was when I did not look at everyone else; I risked because I believed in myself. You have to risk even if it sacrifices comfort, finances, and even at times, relationships.” – Miguel Campaner

     

    What you’ll learn from this episode:

     Recognize how life-changing it is that you take risks even when you’re scared and it means sacrificing comfort, finances, and even relationships;Understand why we should act and work as our clients’ partners and not just follow whatever it is that they tell us to do; andGet an answer on the usual concern people ask freelancers (that “may pera ba talaga dyan?” question)

     Topics Covered:

  • Things are difficult when you're starting, especially when you don't like what you do and are just there to get by. The hours seem to drag, and the more you want the day to end fast, that's when you feel like it's taking an eternity to wait.

    Another thing is that when you don't know any better, you take whatever jobs are available to get started and have the experience. Most often, that makes one lose interest fast. And that's not how to stay long-term.

    Rene Leanda is a multimedia designer and video editor who helps YouTube content creators create highly engaging videos that help grow their channels significantly and drive lots of customers and leads into their businesses.

    In this episode, Rene shares how it was an uphill battle to align with his passion and the job he does, sending him to find one job after another and not really finding meaning in what he was doing. Only when he started getting a coach and mentor that everything fell into place, finding regular work online with clients that are truly fit to work with. From there, the rest is history; he is now one of the most sought-after YouTube video editors. 

    What you will learn from this episode:

    Learn how to turn your passion into a profession and profit from it.Find value in personal development with the help of mentors and coaches, so it helps fuel your freelancing career.Discover how his shifted mindset attracted premium clients 

    "When you find value in what you do, that's when you love what you do." - Rene Leanda 

    Topics Covered:

    04:31 - Touching on his personal life - childhood life, family, siblings, his other talents and skills, his job

    10:40 - Stepping into his first online job in graphic design [project-based only]

    17:10 - An opportunity to be with the Tribe and the regular online jobs coming one after another

    22:08 - How his changed mindset made all the difference in landing premium clients

    24:26 - Shifting from an employee mindset to a freelancer

    26:11 - Overcoming price objections during discovery calls 

    30:20 - Source of inspiration in freelancing

    31:36 - What to keep in mind when stepping into the next level in your freelancing career

    34:47 - His target market

    36:36 - Where to connect with Rene

    37:58 - Plans to create a course

    39:53 - What success means to him

    Key Takeaways:

    "My takeaway from every event I attended is to make you realize that there are always possibilities." - Rene Leanda 

    "Turn your passion into something profitable." - Rene Leanda 

    "Do what you love and love what you do." - Rene Leanda 

    "Whatever you do, learn how to enjoy it."  - Rene Leanda 

    "When you master yourself, that's when you expand and build your network." - Rene Leanda 

    Connect with Rene Leanda:

    Website: https://reneleanda.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneleanda/
  • How difficult could it be to get kicked out of a team, and lose your job in the middle of the pandemic, all while preparing for your dream wedding? 

    Today’s guest had to cover his tears just so his then-girlfriend wouldn’t worry, but after letting himself feel, he then got back up to conquer and achieve his dreams! 

    It was hard – having to leave his zone of comfort, learn how to effectively communicate, and market his offers. Nevertheless, he showed them all that he was capable. 

    Join us today as we speak with Eb Fajardo, a Director, Producer, Video Editor, Video Creator, and Content Strategist. He is the founder of Eb Video Creatives, helping service providers who are struggling with gaining visibility by creating educational videos so they can attract ideal clients before they need their services and be recognized as an authority in their market through engaging social media videos. 

    Eb now has 24,000 followers on TikTok and founded “Showing Up with Video” where he teaches video content creation in the comforts of just your phone. 

    In this episode, Eb shares his video creation and editing journey, focusing on how he successfully transitioned into having his own team from being kicked out of his own back when he was still in the corporate field. 

    “Matuto laging bumangon at bumawi. Darating talaga ‘yong time na madadapa ka, pero kung meron kang utak na ‘babangon ako’t babawi ako’, ‘yong solution agad ‘yong maiisip mo, hindi ‘yong problema.” – Eb Fajardo

    What you’ll learn from this episode: 

    Recognize the importance of having a network that listens and shares their own story with you;Understand why it’s perfectly fine that you allow yourself to feel your down moments, just that you won’t let yourself drown; andFind out how you can transition from being a one-man-team creator/editor to finally having your agency while thriving in the market

    Topics Covered:

    4:52 – Eb’s Childhood: The story behind Eb’s upbringing, being born as a Muslim but growing up in Rizal

    9:54 – The Start: How did he get interested in videos, from editing to video creation? When did his “this is it” moment happen, finally deciding to focus on video as his career?

    18:05 – Other Destinations: Talking about the work he did in Dubai where he was able to hone his skills in shooting videos, and the reason on why he needed to fly back to the Philippines

    22:11 – New Phase, Better Self: What were the challenges and/or objections he’s gone through before he reached where he is today? How did he overcome such?

    26:28 – Eb on Overcoming Challenges: “Matuto laging bumangon at bumawi.”

    30:51 – The Biggest Win: “‘Yong wedding… na nagawa namin nang kami lang in the midst of walang permanenteng trabaho.”

    33:22 – Have These People Around You: “Isa sa mga natutunan ko ay hindi ko pala talaga siya kayang gawin mag-isa.”

    37:50 – More About Eb: Talking about the work that he does, his team, and the services his agency offers

    41:30 – Cut and Create: How to repurpose long videos for social media content

    44:38  – Connect with Eb Fajardo

    46:17 – How does Eb Fajardo define “success”?

  • How can we become better and happier leaders, with a better and happier team at work?

    Working with a leader and/or a team that lacks understanding on how to achieve growth from a place of joy could really be overwhelming, and it might even lead to the failure of one’s business.

    There is such a thing as positive psychology, though most people aren’t aware of it. And with it, we can save not only our businesses, but also ourselves, our teams, and the lives we all want to live.

    So today, join us as we learn about the science behind being happy while creating a healthier space for our teams at work. After all, a better world is what we’re all aiming for.

    Jalvi Valdes is a Happiness Educator. He has been giving talks and facilitating discussions for 25 years now. He graduated top of his class with Magna Cum Laude Honors from the College of Business at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He is passionate about learning and teaching, with international certifications in leadership, management, communications, and teamwork, to name a few. Jalvi believes everything is better when we are happy – especially during these unique times.

    Aside from being a Certified Happiness Coach, he has immersed himself in the latest evidence-based research on happiness and well-being. Now, he uses his skill in research and training to help educate people on how to be happier at work and in their personal lives – offering Happiness Workshops, Retreats, and Team Building.

    Jalvi is a Homeschooling father to four children. In his free time, he likes reading, computer gaming, and cooking. He is also a Communications and Leadership Mentor in Toastmasters International, a leading global organization for personal development.

    In this episode, Jalvi enlightens us on the science behind positive psychology as he explains how one can be a better leader with a happier team, resulting in better relationships and flow at work.

    “If you want to build a better, happy team – mas productive, mas loyal, mas engaged, mas enjoy, ‘yong mas masaya sila magtrabaho and mas masarap kausap ‘yong team mo – (1) foster a safe environment by listening to them, making them feel heard, seen, and respected; (2) show your appreciation by saying thank you, name, for what; and (3) have a sense of purpose.” – Jalvi Valdes

     

    What you’ll learn from this episode:

     Understand the science behind positive psychology and why workshops on happiness are a whole lot different from other trainings;Recognize how important it is for the change to start in you as you and the team work towards a better and happier workspace; andDiscover the three main factors a happy and healthy team have from within

    Topics Covered:

    05:46 – Short Throwback: Going back to Jalvi’s childhood, focusing on the “people person” side he has and his passion for speaking and teaching

    13:05 – Out of Ignorance: Talking about Jalvi’s first jobs, both in non- and corporate settings, especially the journey towards finding a job that makes him happy

    14:06 – Finding What I Truly Love: What were the challenges Jalvi encountered as he moved from one job to another? When did his breakthrough happen?

    19:57 – All Things at Once: Why did it take Jalvi five years to build his own training programs? Where does he find the motivation to keep moving...

  • Unsure whether you're doing things right and have many concerns running in your mind?

    Do you question if you're still your normal self doing things you find and which seem unusual for you? Are you anxious to jump from one thing to another, hopefully finally finding what you've been looking for?

    Are you overwhelmed with all the shiny objects you see everywhere that you don't know which one you truly want?

    And here's this one big thing... Are you a victim of abuse that makes you confused and not make sense of the circumstances?

    We hear you; all these are not easy to face. 

    But you're not alone.

    This time, why not learn to pause, so you find your focus?

    Listen to our guest for today's episode; she surely can shed light on your plight.

    Michelle Roldan has been a corporate slave for over a decade and decided to work from home as a virtual assistant and into freelancing as a copywriter. She did the sales page for Global Summit Philippines and the sales page of batch three for Freelancing and Art of Seduction Marketing. Michelle is currently a business owner. She has her traditional business, a variety store, and she's also done eCommerce in the past and is now doing network marketing. Michelle is also an abuse survivor who wants to inspire women who were abused to stand up for themselves by inspiring others to turn their pain into purpose. 

    In this episode, Michelle shares how she was all over the place, doing anything and everything. She was a corporate slave before who jumped from one business to another right after, a course hoarder who didn't tire of enrolling in courses one after another. But mind you, she was successful in what she was doing for quite a while, but then everything wears off for some reason. And now, she finally finds her purpose in what she went through – being an abuse survivor, as she would like to call herself. Let's join her unpack that journey to ultimately finding herself again, her passion, and her focus.

    "Make peace with yourself and find out what you really want." - Michelle Roldan

    What you will learn from this episode:

    Learn how to focus on one thing and become productiveFind out one crucial step to find a market for the service you want to offer that truly resonates with you, so you give value and find fulfillment in what you do.Discover how to turn your pain into gain

    Topics Covered:

    04:28 - Updates about her businesses 

    05:29 - A backstory of her growing up years in Cagayan de Oro and the trauma she went through

    10:40 - A significant influence when it comes to her entrepreneurship mindset and how she started her own business [business coupled with social responsibility, lessons from her business ventures] 

    21:24 - How her first freelancing job looks like

    23:08 - Lessons from enrolling in multiple courses at the same time

    25:56 - Dealing with mental health issues during the pandemic and finally starting her own podcast

    31:09 - What she's focusing on and relearning now

    34:52 - Aligning what you're learning[skills] to what you're doing [service you offer]

    40:06 - Becoming the beacon of light and an inspiration to abused women like her

    49:15 - Overcoming challenges and struggles in her freelancing career

    51:43 - Sharing other important lessons in life [how to find out what you really want in life]

    54:35 - Wins in life that are worth celebrating [including trips abroad expense free]

    01:03:29 - How these  people made a big impact on her life

    01:09:49 - What success is like for her 

    01:12:37 - Her service offer and whom she wants to serve

    01:13:25 - Connect with Michelle

    01:14:30 - Check out Michelle's FREE one-on-one 1-hour consultation. Click here:

  • Why lock our value as human beings with how much work we are able to do if we can be intentional in our day-to-day life, living it in bliss with a clear why?

    There’s this joke that goes around for who knows how long already and it says, “If you want to be happy, you can only choose two out of these three – sleep, social life, and good grades.” Most people have really chosen two, and depending on how they live life, at some point, yes, they’re got it.

    But what if there’s a way to achieve real bliss without having to let go of one of the three? What if you can get enough sleep, have an active social life, and still get the achievements you’re aiming for in life?

    That’s exactly what Celina Bianca Alejandro will share with us today as she narrates how she got to where she’s at now by understanding what she values and knowing where she wants to be at.

    Celz Alejandro is a productivity coach and an official Notion consultant who loves helping people discover their own productivity style so they can achieve more, create a positive impact, and still have a lot of time for their loved ones.

    She believes that figuring out your own productivity techniques shouldn’t be stressful, complicated, nor overwhelming.

    In this episode, Celz shares how she got involved with Notion as she explains how people are still valuable even in our laziest days.

    “God loves you, and you’re valuable even in your laziest days because you’re not defined by your productivity.” – Celz Alejandro

    What you’ll learn from this episode:

    Understand why your value is not and should not be defined by your productivity;Realize how important it is that you prepare your soil – aka you – so that when time comes that seeds – aka opportunities – will be planted, you’ll be more than ready to face it; andFind out why you should have a clear understanding of the reason why you’re doing the things that you’re doing and be intentional on whatever it is that you do

    Topics Covered:

    04:21 – Pretty Average: Celz shares her childhood story, on how independent she was even as a kid, needing to be responsible at such an early age

    08:04 – Never Smooth Sailing: Talking about the challenges she’s gone through back when she was still in school, the overall experience she’s had in college, and wanting to experience working in various industries

    20:00 – The Transition: Starting her freelancing journey as a copywriter then, later on, switching to focus on productivity

    26:40 – Output vs. Intention and Purpose: Defining what productivity is and explaining why people still have value even when you’re the most still person in the world

    31:15 – More and More: Other activities Celz spent her time on back in her college days, with all things being natural as she grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs

    35:29 – Have Your Soil Prepared: Discussion around what Notion is, and how Celz got involved with the company

    42:53 – That Journey of Faith Took a While: Why it took Celz five years of being a “Christian” for her to finally claim that she really is

    50:51 – “God’s Strength is Shown in My Weakness”: “The closer you get to your breakthrough, the more the attacks will come.”

    53:44 – Never Not Learning from Anyone: Are there people Celz looks up to, those who help her live life

  • As you go on your freelancing journey, are there times when you feel stuck, with little to no motivation at all and no concrete direction to go towards?

    Most of the time, what happens is we let outside forces invade our spaces, which then often leads to us looking at the wrong path.

    So today, as we engage in a conversation with Maan Dimla, I want you all to remember that sometimes, all you need is a personal why; a personal mission that reminds you of what and who you’re doing your service to all this time. 

    Maan Dimla is an Email Copywriter and Strategist working with Spiritual Wellness Entrepreneurs. She designs aligned marketing strategies that aim to remove the "guilt" of spiritual entrepreneurs in marketing their services and offers. In her free time, Maan pursues her own spiritual journey and also does crochet when things are becoming "too much". At present, she is also one of the coaches inside Miguel Campaner's “The Copywriting Fellowship and Rapid Email Frameworks”.

    In this episode, Maan inspires freelancers like her as she stresses how much impact a personal mission could create, not only in your life but also in your business and the people you provide your service for.

    “Find something na bigger than earning money, bigger than having a client. Kasi kapag mayro’n kang gano’n, mas madaling mag take action.”– Maan Dimla

    What you’ll learn from this episode:

    Realize how important it is for a freelancer and/or any service provider to have a keen and deep sense of understanding on how their markets think, feel, and behave;Understand why it’s crucial that you find your why from within and not from the outside factors that surround you; andFind out how mentorships allow you to take the path a bit easier and with a better sense of direction if compared to doing it all by yourself

    Topics Covered:

    05:38 – Quick backtrack: Maan shares how her life went before she became a freelancer, seeing freelancing as her only option to live the life she wants

    08:48 – On my own: How leaving her parents’ house and exploring the world out there helped Maan become the person that she is today

    10:54 – The transition: Dreaming to become a reporter, then working in the media/film production field, then moving towards “writing for a living”

    14:21 – Why this niche: Maan shares the story behind her decision to focus on spiritual wellness

    21:20 – The challenges: “Most of them are not prepared to put themselves out there.”

    23:25 – Find something bigger: How much of a gamechanger it is for Maan to have her personal mission in life

    27:31 – A big setback: Talking about the biggest objections Maan has been through in her freelancing journey, as well as how she’s overcome such experiences

    36:31 – The role mentors play: “I can honestly say na kung hindi ako naka-meet ng mga mentors, hindi ako siguro makakarating sa kung nasaan ako ngayon…”

    39:25 – Maan’s wins: Catching her target client’s attention, getting past that phase of being stuck, and having that personal mission

    42:03 – Source of strength: Who Maan gets inspiration from, especially as she continues to explore the freelancing world

    44:10 – What is Maan’s own definition of success?

  • Have you ever heard or read the words “web accessibility”?

    Most of us use the internet in our everyday lives, but more often than not, the thought of making websites accessible to those who have disabilities aren’t being considered.

    In WebAIM’s 2022 report on the accessibility of the top 1,000,000 home pages, they said that “…while the 2022 analysis saw small decreases in the number of detected accessibility errors and WCAG conformance failures, significant work remains to be done to make the web accessible to everyone.”

    So today, we take part in the advocacy to spread the word and create awareness. Tune in as we learn from Gerson Lacdao, a former nurse turned web developer.

    Gerson Lacdao is a WordPress frontend developer and web accessibility advocate. He works with non-profits and other digital agencies in creating inclusive websites that are compliant with relevant legislations worldwide. In his free time, he teaches WordPress, web accessibility, and best practices in web development.

    In this episode, Gerson spreads awareness on web accessibility as he takes us back on his journey, sharing how he reached this point of having such an advocacy.

    “Kapag naintindihan mo kasi kung pa’no ‘yong way nila to browse the websites, mas madali mo nang ma-include sa work mo ‘yong accessibility. It’s not just looking at a checklist, but more on empathizing with what they’re going through; how do you make it easy for them, and how do you lessen their frustrations. Mindset din and empathy with the people you’re doing it for.” – Gerson Lacdao

    What you’ll learn from this episode:

    Why web accessibility should be more well-known and widely used both in the country and around the world;How important it is that you learn to shift your mindset from charging based on the Philippine economy to having a fee based on value; andUnderstand why you should empathize with the market that you’re providing service for in order to really be of help to them

     Topics Covered:

    05:06 – Life Before Freelancing: Growing up in Oriental Mindoro in a simple family and studying in Manila for his collegiate years 

    08:51 – The Start: Gerson’s early years in freelancing, starting as a writer to then managing WordPress websites and now focusing on web accessibility 

    14:03 – Part of the Problem: What web accessibility is all about + what Gerson realized after he took a course on web accessibility 

    18:46 – Make It Known: The challenge of spreading the word with regards to why web accessibility should be widely used in the country 

    21:26 – No Sleep: Hardships he’s gone through as he did BPO work and freelancing, then freelancing and nursing at the same time 

    26:21 – Fee is based on Value: Experiencing objections on the fee of his service and learning how to handle such objections 

    28:07 – Before and After: What’s the biggest win Gerson got after joining the Tribe? Aside from John, who else made an impact on how he treats his business today? 

    30:01 – From Survival to Living Life: Is it important for freelance starters to have a mentor or someone they look up to? 

    31:50 – Need a Break: What a real burnout looks like in Gerson’s space and how he overcomes that + Why people reach that point of...

  • How do you transition from working as a one-man team to then serving thousands of people by working in the innermost part of an organization?

    Chris’ passion for writing has always been there since childhood. She used to write lots of fanfiction stories before she became a freelancer. Quoting her words, writing has been her savior. But being a writer almost usually means working alone. It became a huge adjustment as she started working with and leading her own team. 

    So the question here is how did she make that happen? How was she able to build relationships and successfully lead people?

    If you want to know the answer, join us in this episode as Chris Ong shares her story. Don’t forget to grab a pen and paper because you’ll surely learn from what she has to say.

    Chris Ong is a Direct Response Copywriter serving clients in the Finance and Business Opportunity space. She also writes Landing Pages, Launch Email Sequences, Affiliate Marketing, Social Media direct response copy, and has generated a number of great results for her clients. At present, Chris serves as the Chief Marketing Officer of The Freelance Movement. 

    In this episode, Chris opens the doors to her story as she shares how she’s transitioned from being a creative writer to becoming a content creator, to then working with and leading a team as she became part of the internal team of The Freelance Movement.

    “For me, copy is important nga, but if you have the choice with what you would spend your time and ‘yong money, doon ka sa market. Understanding the market. Market research.” – Chris Ong

     What you’ll learn from this episode:

     Why it’s a must that you don’t forget the personal dimension of leadership as you start having your own team;How important it is that you learn how to trust other people and delegate tasks; andWhat it’s like, living by the “learning by doing” mindset, and why it’s better that you put more attention to understanding the market rather than the copy

    Topics Covered:

    05:27 – Chris as a textbook sheltered middle-class Chinese person back in childhood + how she realized that she could actually write

    09:53 – Where Chris’ creative genius used to come from, growing up

    12:38 – Employee vs. entrepreneur’s mind, and how Chris got into the internal team of The Freelance Movement

    14:09 – From creative to copywriting: The story behind Chris’ transition to becoming a content writer

    18:17 – What’s that one challenge that comes to mind whenever Chris thinks about what she’s doing now?

    21:25 – Are writers allowed to leave a piece of themselves on what they’re writing for clients?

    23:08 – How do objections look like for a writer like Chris

    25:28 – The story behind Chris’ shortened name (originally Christine)

    27:24 – Talking about Chris’ wins as she transitioned to freelancing

    30:40 – John Pagulayan as an inspiration

    32:33 – One of Chris’ lowest points in life + the learnings she got as she learned to delegate tasks

    35:54 – How it’s like, working with a team, especially with John Pagulayan and The Freelance Movement

    39:32 – Qualities a leader should have in order...

  • Are you a passionate writer who’s always loved writing and is wanting to earn money by doing what you love? Do you want to overcome your doubts about connecting with people and eventually start a business, but you just don’t know where to start?

    Today’s guest was just once like you. At some point in life, she’s gone through wounds that are still yet to heal. She was a super shy lady who told herself she’d never be involved in marketing; but once you found what makes your heart beat, things will follow, like how her success did.

    Aiza Coronado Domingcil is the co-founder of CaaSocio, a SaaS marketing agency that pumps out strategy-backed copy and content busy SaaS teams needed yesterday. She's also the Marketing Manager of Split Dragon, SEA’s leading marketplace eCommerce technology & services provider. She also helps freelancers and entrepreneurs write better inside her 4k-strong FB community, Writing for Non-writer Freelancers ⚡.

    In this episode, Aiza talks about her passion for writing and how it led to her freelancing journey. Here, she shares how she’s gone through a lot, but still, after all those things, she’s living the ‘life’.

    “Writing for clients is different from writing for yourself. Writing for clients kasi, it will always be like work. Find that niche or the type of writing na fit sa lifestyle and sa strengths mo.”

    – Aiza Coronado Domingcil

      What you’ll learn from this episode:

     Understand why you need to have your work aligned with your values and your life in order for you to reach the level of success that you want;Discover what it took a shy and hesitant-to-go-public-with-her-writings person to be a sought-after individual in the field of marketing; andFind out how practice helps in gearing you up toward great heights, especially when it comes to knowing your avatar

    Topics Covered:

    04:17 – Life in a bundle: Aiza back when she was still in Iloilo, her passion for writing and arts, and her background in Engineering

    11:55 – Why was Aiza so shy before she got into freelancing? Where did she get her confidence in writing?

    16:00 – The unforgettable feedback Aiza got from previous clients, and how she’s able to overcome it

    19:14 – Her most significant breakthrough in writing -- working as an email copywriter for her first SaaS client

    21:00 – What were the most significant challenges Aiza had to face back when she started working with them? Were there objections, still?

    25:06 – The major win Aiza has gone through, especially after joining the Tribe, and her major failure with the company she first worked with

    28:54 – Talking about the people who influenced her and the success she’s at today + the signs of the Universe

    34:48 – Aiza shares what CaaSocio is all about as she discusses what she thinks made her partnership with Sarah work

    40:14 – What challenges are they currently encountering as CaaSocio gets bigger? What’s the culture behind CaaSocio that helps them provide quality content?

    44:56 – Explaining how they got clear on who their avatar is/target clients

    49:39 – Learn from Aiza: Do’s and don’ts for those who want to follow Aiza’s writing path 

    51:50 – For the mommies: Is writing a good career for moms, especially for those whose kids are still young? 

    53:46 – What’s next for CaaSocio? What can CaaSocio help potential clients with?

    57:32 – Connect with Aiza and CaaSocio

    1:00:55 – Is there something she cannot remember that she knows she should?

    Key Takeaways:

    “Being a manager, you wouldn’t get it from school, from universities. You will only learn it from experience talaga and doing the actual thing.” – Aiza Coronado...

  • Did you ever think of giving up on doing business and living life in abundance?

    Was there a time when you got hopeless, with all the hardships that keep on killing your passion in life? 

    It is not and will never be easy -- fighting and winning against depression. You might be asking yourself, “Where do I begin? Where do I start?” 

    But today, we bring you a warrior, a mom, and a freelancer like you, who has gone through life’s trials but came back a lot stronger than ever before.

    Join us as we work on living and becoming the success we’ve always dreamt of today with Ice Hilario.

    Ma. Luisa “Ice” Hilario helps 6-7 figure agencies and businesses systematize their steady stream of conversion and online presence, through her time-tested six-point- marketing system (A.S.S.I.S.T. framework). 

    With more than 8 years of experience as an operations manager & digital marketing strategist, she is adept with creative strategies, administrative and financial oversight, team building, and revenue generation.  

    Moreover, while her on-the-job experience has afforded her a well-rounded skill set, including first-rate analytical and problem-solving abilities, she is proficient in meeting or exceeding benchmarks and delivering exceptional results. 

    Ice is a Christ follower, happily married with three beautiful children, and was a former OFW band vocalist for almost a decade before jumping into operations management for five years and digital marketing.  

    She is currently an OBM (Operations Business Manager), with 8 premium clients at present. 

    In this episode, Ice shares how she’s achieved her true success and came back a whole lot better after winning against depression. Here, she inspires us to create an impact on the lives of other people as we align our work with worshiping the Lord. 

    “Everything that you’re going through, everything that you have right now, is a preparation of what you’re gonna be in the future. Hang on. Relax ka lang. Be able to make sure to embrace everything. Your journey is going to be a testimony to everybody eventually.” 

    – Ma. Luisa “Ice” Hilario

    What you’ll learn from this episode:

    Why it’s okay to embrace your character and skills as a multipotentialite;The importance of having a good support system as you believe in your capability to win against life’s trials;Why it’s both a game-changer and a life-saver that you focus on creating an impact on people’s lives and not on chasing money;The difference it makes when you’re aware of what you really want to do and not do;How aligning your work to the act of worshiping the Lord can help you reach true success

    Topics Covered:

    03:40 – Introduction for the episode

    05:26 – Introducing and welcoming today’s guest, Ma. Luisa “Ice” Hilario

    08:55 – Ice’s childhood -- being able to attend and ace school -- then relating it to her freelance story, as a multipotentialite OBM

    12:33 – Young Ice’s knack for leadership and being organized + the role her parents played on her journey of becoming the person that she is right now

    15:28 – The game-changer challenge of Ice’s life -- what happened in the year 2019?

    19:44 – What’s going on her mind as she went through depression? Was there a time that she’s already thought of giving up?

    24:23 – Ice’s biggest win -- realizing that she’s finally back, and being able to close five premium clients in just one night

    27:48 – What a “premium client” means to people who do freelancing

    30:08 – Talking about Ice’s work in the corporate world + the people who have left a tremendous impact on her as a leader

    33:52 – Learning from the mentors -- Aspire to have an impact on people’s

  • When three impactful transitions happen in one's life, that's a massive blow that would test anyone's fighting spirit.

    You wouldn't know whether to step into the unknown that you believe there's something out there for you or to settle with what's readily available and make the most of it for the time being.

    The struggle is indeed real.

    How do you keep that indomitable spirit not break and let the universe reward you with what is yours from the start?

    Julian Canita is a Facebook Ads Coach who helps online course creators make meaningful connections on social media so that they can joyfully attract their aligned clients.

    His vision is to live in a world filled with joyful expression and limitless possibilities.

    Apart from Facebook ads, he also does this through his different works and passions such as being an executive coach for business leaders, being a transformational life coach, human design, spirituality podcasting, making music, and just enjoying life 

    In this episode, Julian shares his contrarian [but wisdom-filled] view on having a coach. It isn't about the business owner with that seven-figure income or the well-sculpted body, but rather someone whom you can trust to guide you where you want to go, provide clarity on what you want to accomplish, and make things happen for you.

    Additionally, he discusses where he got the confidence and belief in himself to help others become limitless.

    "Realizing that I'm a limitless individual, that we are all limitless, that we can actually make things happen. That we're actually powerful beyond what we think we are. When I started to discover that about myself and everyone, that really lit me up, and it lights me up to see people discover that for themselves, as well. " - Julian Canita

    What you will learn from this episode:

    Learn what coaches can do for you in terms of your awareness towards discovering what you're capable of doing and seeing that room for growth in your personal and professional life.Find out what Intention and Action can do to open bigger opportunities for you.Learn to discover that inner voice that will help you embrace a life of joy, limitless possibilities, and happiness.

    Topics Covered:

    03:36 - How are things going on with his personal and professional life these days

    05:17 - What life was before becoming a Facebook Ads coach [ How he was growing up and how it differs now with his current life]

    08:01 - Subscribing to traditional mindset, jobs he took before becoming an entrepreneur

    09:34 - Starting a business that didn't pan out

    10:57 - A chance at getting his first digital marketing job, honing his skills, and big opportunities starting to open up for him

    16:16 - The challenge that made him almost quit and how he prevented it from happening

    19:27 - The magic that happens when Action and intention go hand in hand

    24:37 - One crucial factor that makes him the leader that he is now

    26:32 - What you need a coach/mentor for

    28:20 - Sharing a different view about being a coach and looking for a coach for yourself

    31:02 - A different kind of confidence 

    31:53 - Embracing a life of joyful expression, limitless possibilities, and happiness

    34:30 - How to start fulfilling your passion and still doing the work that you want to do

    37:36  - Thinking of success in two ways [Hashtag# thankyoumoreplease]

    40:20 - What's keeping him limitless these days

    42:48 - Find out about this joke book that he is about to publish

    43:53 - Following your path and not anybody else's

    Key Takeaways:

    "It was okay for me to step into the unknown because it was clear that I didn't want another option of a nine to five job." -...

  • Are you an introverted person who wants to do sales and marketing but is being halted by your fears?

    Do you have thoughts like selling isn’t really a job you can excel at, especially because you find it hard to talk with people and socialize?

    Are you afraid that going online is a business that won’t pay the bills of living a life?

    It is indeed a hard move, pushing forward with all the doubts. But as the saying goes, if you won’t believe in what you can do, then who else would?

    Turn your words into money and play a game you can’t lose with today’s guest, Coach Allan Ngo. 

    By profession, Allan Ngo is an email marketing trainer and consultant, but underneath the surface, he fancies himself as a change maker.

    He believes that education is the ultimate equalizer. The right knowledge to the right person at the right time can change someone’s life. That’s why he’s helping coaches and course creators write emails that skip the spam folder, stand out like a guy in a sorority party, and get read like juicy gossip – giving entrepreneurs the income they deserve while empowering people to realize their dreams.

     In this episode, Coach Allan talks about his email marketing story as he shares lessons and tips while taking us back on his entrepreneurial journey.

     “Just because I’m not somebody who likes to speak doesn’t mean I don’t have anything to say.”– Allan Ngo

    What you’ll learn from this episode:

    Find out why you should be open to the process of improving and also take your emotions out of the business;Discover what intimidates people in email marketing and why it’s a common myth that email marketing is not and cannot be fun; andUnderstand that fear is a natural part of everyone’s journey toward success

    Topics Covered:

    03:23 – Welcoming today’s guest, Coach Allan Ngo

    05:09 – Going against the norm without noticing it: Growing up in a strict household, meeting ambitious friends in college, then starting his entrepreneurship journey

    13:07 – The turning point: Being unemployed after returning from a scholarship in Shanghai + searching “How to make money online”

    18:51 – His first sale: Focusing in Mandarin Chinese and working with a Canadian who had an ebook, then later on focusing on email marketing

    23:22 – Short backstory: The story behind Coach Allan’s connection with Brother Bo Sanchez

    27:18 – What was the biggest challenge Coach Allan had to go through as he started becoming an entrepreneur?

    30:03 – “Take emotions out of business”: Did Coach Allan experience a hard objection in his journey?

    34:41 – His biggest win as a solopreneur: “‘Yong kinita ko was more than what we spent sa hospital”

    37:05 – Then and Now: The difference between the perspectives of the 23-year-old and 38-year-old Allan

    39:41 – “Be open to the process”: How Coach Allan gets his productive self back whenever he feels the burnout

    44:12 – Why Coach Allan admires his parents + why he doesn’t want to put people on a pedestal

    49:01 – The biggest impact his parents made: Effectively solving problems + having toughness and objectivity

    51:41 – Tips from Coach Allan: “Understand how it works, start small, and try to inject fun in it”

    55:05 – The business: Digital Solopreneur, Email Marketing Philippines, and the Hugot Copy Training

    56:38 – What is Coach Allan’s own definition of success?

    58:01 – Coach Allan’s life as a movie: A roadless travel

    58:58 – Coach Allan’s parting words: How to play a game you can’t lose

    Key Takeaways:

    “I never imagined myself as somebody who can sell, kasi ang image ko ng somebody na nakakabenta is magaling magsalita, ‘yong magaling manamit, ‘yong confident sa tao, ‘yong gusto talaga niyang kaharap ang tao, and...

  • What he thought would be and how he fought to make it the last time he talked about freelancing turned out to be one phenomenal journey. 

    Imagine all the excuses and tactics he hatched just to get training and building courses completely out of the way.

    Even the bashers' and detractors' herculean efforts to put him down and totally banish him from the freelancing and coaching world seemed no match for what is already etched in stone to happen.

    When destiny calls, human machinations are powerless. 

    What you will learn from this episode:

    Find out the essential traits of a good leader that brings out the best not only in you but also in your team members. Learn why your company's vision is crucial when making decisions and collaborations.Discover what John’s secret to success is and take away some of the golden insights that make him consistently relevant. 

    All we know about him now is that he's 'The Legend.' People, especially those he had helped launch their respective freelancing careers, look up to him with much respect and admiration. But we want to know what really took place behind this man's success and stature. 

    John Pagulayan is one of the most respected and sought-after freelancers and mentors in the Philippines. He is the founder of the Freelance Movement, an email copywriter who writes emails for a living, for business, here and abroad. His client roster includes digital marketing giants like Ryan Leaveck, Todd Brown, and one of the world's largest publishing companies. He has been featured in Inquirer, GMA Network, and CNN Philippines. 

    He was even invited to the Senate to help liberate a freelancing bill that would help millions of freelancers in the Philippines. Today, he is recognized as 'The Legend' in the freelancing industry. He has shocked the local freelancing community by teaching normal, everyday people how to build thriving freelance businesses from scratch. That is, even if they have no experience, skills, or portfolio, resulting in a new breed of freelancers who control their fees, time, and whom they want to work with. Freelancers who can build the businesses and lifestyle of their dreams. 

    He dreams of the day when the word freelancing is mentioned with the same respect and reverence as a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. A day when kids would say when I grow up, I want to be a freelancer.

    In this episode, John shares his humble beginnings and how he had to work odd jobs just to send himself to school and make both ends meet. It is also interesting to know how he almost became a priest. But somehow, he was led to something far worthy as that vocation, coaching, mentoring, and producing Filipino freelancers who are fast becoming the most sought-after talents in the global virtual freelancing space. 

    Let's hear him talk about his brand of leadership and take away some of the most valuable gems from running and managing his successful business, community, groups, and teams.

    "When it comes to instilling the culture, it's leading by example. You can't expect your members to be helpful if they have never seen you help anyone." - John Pagulayan

    Topics Covered:

    10:32 - Taking us back into John's childhood memories, family background, and how he almost ended up becoming a priest

    19:51 - Sharing snippets of his college life and how he had to find various jobs to support himself

    23:31 - Landing a call center job even if it was least expected of him 

    31:16 - The first freelancing job that he thought nobody cared about but gave him the most significant break

    41:05 - Were there ever any challenges he dealt with doing his first email copywriting job?

    43:05 - What fueled him to create a community of top-notch Filipino...