Retire Confidently With Imelda Dagus

TRANSCRIPT FOR EP8:
WELCOME TO RETIRE CONFIDENTLY!

HI, IT’S IMELDA AND IN THIS EPISODE I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU MY SUCCESS IN Launching the Podcast . THE PODCAST impacted my life instantly.  I TRULY AGREE THAT A podcast is not only about building online presence, but most importantly online credibility.  

• I realized that my message impacted more people than I ever thought it could, I even have a friend in high school who commented on my post that I am her idol, this is coming from a lady whom I have never been communicating with for the past 30 years or so
• My son appreciated my efforts to launch a podcast and touch people, and he told me that he cried with joy. That is something I never thought would happen.  I am able to connect with my family on a deeper level.
• My husband showed me more support. I got him asking how he could share my podcast link.  That itself is a big win for me
• One friend also mentioned that what I am doing is a big thing for my generation.  
• And some  friends now showed interest in buying my book.

• 10 objections: 

• On the first day I attended the workshop, I actually told Genecia that I wanted to write a book.  So she offered that I can do a podcast instead, because it is faster to reach people and the voice is more powerful than a book, to which I agreed. And the episodes can be converted into a book.  So it is like hitting two birds with one stone.
• Because I have been attending a lot of seminars, I then thought that I have to control my spending.  So it was a money issue. But when I realized that I can actually earn more the moment I have built my reputation online.  By showing up and having my voice heard, people will come to know who I am and what I stand for, and people will support me.  More people will come to my coffee shop, more people will patronize my book, more people would like to invest with me because they can see how authentic I am.
• My concern was also that I had to extend my stay in Singapore and rebook my flight and what’s more frightening is to get my husband to approve all of these because these would entail additional expenses, right?  However, after I explained what the plan is, he agreed and I was very happy.  When he listened to my first few episodes, he was convinced we did the right thing.
• I am not a podcast person, so I thought I could not do it.  But when Genecia explained to me that they will support and guide me, my worry disappeared.  Having the whole Soul Rich Woman team behind me melted my fears away.
• Initially, I had difficulty writing and composing my message and I was not relaxed when I started recording. I was running out of air and my mouth was drying up, but because Joanne was there right beside me to cheer me up, I successfully did it.  And the next few episodes were a lot easier than the first.
• Another issue I had was time, I had been away from Zamboanga for too long and there is a big event which I was preparing for.  But because I believed in the importance of doing the podcast and in the urgency of doing it now rather than later, I was able to make arrangements, so that things could be done even if I do not have to be in Zamboanga physically.
• On top of all those issues, I had fears on the outcome of my podcast.  How will people react? will they be inspired, or will I be criticized? and all those mindfreaks that we normally face when doing something for the first time.  But because I sincerely believe that I need to get my message across to people who would need to listen to it, I took action inspite of fear.
•  I was also feeling anxious about sharing my story and being truthful about what I feel deep inside, but realizing that this is me and people hearing my story deserve a “real deal” , I still went ahead with everything that is coming from my heart.  the Understanding that my intention is to share and inspire and not to criticize or destroy other people’s lives, gave me the courage to go out and do the podcast.
• Recording the episodes also requires a lot of time and effort.  I got tired, I had to use up a lot of energy thinking of what to say and sitting on the table typing for hours. And there were a few things I had to set aside just to give priority to my podcast.  But I now see this to be a big lesson in life.  If you want something big and impactful, you have to allocate big energy and big focus, to make it happen and you have to set it as your number one priority.
• having launch the podcast, i am also anxious about what will happen next? then by going back to understanding my intentions and my goal that this will be about doing something positive for me and for others, and by knowing that i have a strong team of soul rich woman to support me, my worries are tamed and controlled.  also, i got a message from a friend saying that i have to continue sharing my message as the world needs more people like me who would come out and share their messages as well.  so, having your family and friends to support you in what you are doing, and giving you the understanding of the journey you wish to embark on is already a great encouragement, not to mention that having the soul rich woman team is your rocket launcher!  knowing that you have people behind you who will look after your best interest and following up on you so that you don’t fall to you’re the little voices inside your head is a great support.  therefore i believe that no matter how good you think you are you need a team who can support and guide you, but most importantly people who know what they are doing.  the soul rich woman team makes you feel you are family and that they’ve got your back every step of the way.

Conclusion: 

Having launched my podcast in less than 24 hours, boosted my confidence to a higher level.  I feel that I just won over my fear of doing something new and being judged for my result.  I feel that I am also blessed to have crossed paths with Soul Rich Woman team who could help me make it possible. 

Launching the podcast made me happy that I was able to share my message so instantly to the public, without having to wait for my book to be complete.

I also believe that exposure is magic, now that I have exposed my story, I realized that people are actually appreciating what I did.  Had I continued to hide under my fears, I would not have touched people’s hearts, and most importantly my family’s hearts. 

I have also proven that it is never too late to learn something new, even if people have accepted the concept of digital divide, I must try to close the gap between me and my children’s generation.  It surely was a surprise to my sons that I am also into podcasting hahaha..I won’t be surprised if they were shocked because I myself felt that way.  But having launched it gave me a lot of relief and a truly good feeling that I won over my fears and I succeeded in my efforts to grow myself day by day.

When we raise our voices together, the words woman power become more than just a phrase, it becomes a movement!

Know that your dreams are valid and on your path you’re never denied, only directed

It’s time to get your voice heard.

do check out my link in the show notes on how you can become an Instant Podcast Leader like me

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN MY NEXT EPISODE WHERE I WILL BE SHARING WITH YOU MORE TIPS ON HOW you can RETIRE CONFIDENTLY. THANKS FOR LISTENING!

TRANSCRIPT OF EP7
WELCOME TO RETIRE CONFIDENTLY!

HI, IT’S IMELDA AND IN THIS EPISODE I WILL BE SHARING WITH YOU WHY MINDSET IS IMPORTANT NOT ONLY IN BUSINESS BUT IN EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE.

THE MIND IS SO POWERFUL! THE MIND IS THE STARTING POINT OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN SEE AND TOUCH AND FEEL THAT IS CREATED BY HUMAN BEINGS.  I NEVER SAW IT THAT WAY UNTIL I STARTED READING AND SEEKING FOR AN ANSWERS.  YOU SEE, EVEN THE SALARY THAT YOU ARE RECEIVING NOW STARTED FROM YOUR MIND. YOU WOULD NOT HAVE HELD IT IN YOUR HANDS, IF YOU HAVE NOT THOUGHT ABOUT APPLYING FOR THAT JOB, GOING FOR THE INTERVIEW AND CONVINCING YOUR EMPLOYER TO HIRE YOU.  YOUR THOUGHTS MANEUVERED EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING STARTS FROM AN IDEA AND AN IDEA STARTS FROM THE MIND.  THE HOUSE YOU ARE LIVING IN IS OF COURSE MADE OF CONCRETE AND WOOD AND OTHER BUILDING MATERIALS, BUT WITHOUT THE BRAIN THAT CONCEIVED THE IDEA OF BUILDING A HOUSE, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THERE.  WITHOUT PRESENTING MORE EXAMPLES, I THINK YOU WILL NOW AGREE THAT EVERYTHING THAT IS EVER CREATED BY HUMAN BEINGS STARTED WITH AN IDEA FORMED IN THE MIND.

BECAUSE OF THE SEMINARS, THAT I GO THROUGH, I LEARNED THAT OUR REALITY IS CREATED NOT SO MUCH BY OUR CONSCIOUS MIND BY OUR SUBCONSCIOUS. I WAS NOT A BELIEVER OF HOW POWERFUL THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND IS BECAUSE I WAS NOT EVEN AWARE ABOUT IT. I DON’T REMEMBER HAVING LEARNED ABOUT IT IN SCHOOL. MAYBE IT WAS MENTIONED AS PART OF SCIENCE LECTURES ABOUT THE BRAIN, BUT I DO NOT REMEMBER MY TEACHER REALLY GOING DEEP ON THE POWER OF SUBCONSCIOUS MIND AND HOW IT WORKS. NOW I BELIEVE THAT IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND AND USE AS A LEVERAGE.  PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE LAW OF ATTRACTION, VISUALIZATION, CREATING VISION BOARDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.  IN MY OWN EXPERIENCE, THESE THINGS WORK. I HAVE TRIED VISUALIZATION AND VISUALIZED ABOUT ME MY HUSBAND AND MY TWO SONS CHECKING IN AT A HOTEL AND STAYING IN A 2 BEDROOM SUITE. USUALLY WHEN YOU DO VISUALIZATION, YOU DON’T LIMIT YOUR MIND, WHATEVER COMES TO MIND FIRST THAT IS THE THINK YOU WILL FOCUS ON WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED AND FEELING THE EMOTION, SEEING THE COLORS, TOUCHING SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD SEE , PUTTING YOURSELF LIKE YOU ARE ALREADY EXPERIENCING IT.  TO MAKE LONG STORY SHORT, AS SOON AS I ARRIVED IN THE PHILIPPINES, CHECKED IN INTO THE HOTEL WHERE I BOOKED, THE LADY AT THE COUNTER FOR SOME REASON OFFERED ME TO UPGRADE TO A SUITE. AND BECAUSE THE DIFFERENCE I HAD TO PAY WAS NOT SO MUCH I AGREED TO UPGRADE TO A SUITE. SO, I BELIEVE THAT WHAT I VISUALIZED FEW DAYS BACK WANTED TO FIND ITS WAY TO BECOME A REALITY.  IT WAS NOT THE SAME COLORS I SAW IN MY VISUALIZATION BUT THE SUITE BECAME REAL.  AND I ALSO TRIED TO CONNECT AS TO WHY DID I VISUALIZED ABOUT THE SUITE.  AND THIS IS WHAT I FOUND. 2 YEARS BACK MY FAMILY WENT ON A VACATION TO HONGKONG AND BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING FOR A CHEAP HOTEL, WE ENDED UP IN A VERY SMALL ROOM WHICH WOULD NOT EVEN ALLOW US TO SLEEP IN A RELAXED POSITION. WE HAD TO SLEEP SIDEWAYS. AND I FELT AT THAT TIME THAT MY FAMILY DESERVES A BETTER SPACE, AND I WANTED TO MOVE OUT. BUT MY FAMILY INSISTED THAT WE STAY BECAUSE WE ARE THERE ONLY TO SLEEP, IN THE DAY TIME, WE ARE OUT ANYWAY. OF COURSE THAT IS ALSO A PRACTICAL WAY TO SEE THE SITUATION, BUT TO ME IT IS SOMETHING I SHOULD NOT SETTLE FOR.  MY FAMILY DESERVES BETTER. MY FAMILY IS NOT CHEAP. MY FAMILY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD FOR ME AND THEREFORE I WILL DO SOMETHING TO CHANGE THE SITUATION GOING FORWARD. I DO NOT TO THINK IN THE WAY OF KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES, BUT I THINK ALONG THE LINES OF GIVING MY BEST TO MY FAMILY. 

NOW, TALKING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MINDSET IN BUSINESS, TO ME IT IS THE BASIC FOUNDATION. MORE THAN KNOWING WHAT BUSINESS IS GOOD FOR YOU, HAVING THE MINDSET OF AN ENTREPRENEUR CAN SPELL OUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OR THE OPPOSITE. BECAUSE BUSINESS CAN BOMBARD YOU WITH A LOT OF CHALLENGES, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THE RIGHT MINDSET YOU WILL BE ABLE TO OVERCOME EACH CHALLENGE. YOUR MINDSET IS THE THING THAT MAKES YOU ACCEPT THAT YOU ARE A PROBLEM SOLVER AND BUSINESS IS MERELY PROBLEM SOLVING.

THE MINDSET IS WHAT MAKES YOU TAKE ACTION EVEN IF YOU ARE FEARFUL. EVERYONE HAS FEARS AND FEARS DO NOT GO AWAY, YOU CANNOT ELIMINATE FEAR, YOU CAN ONLY CONTROL IT. SO EITHER YOU CONTROL YOUR FEARS OR YOUR FEARS CONTROL YOU.

BY MINDSET, I REFER TO THE WAY OF THINKING A PERSON HAS.  I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS AN OVERSEAS WORKER, I WAS NOT CONTROLLING MY SPENDING AT ALL.  EVEN WITH MONEY I CAN SAVE, I WILL EASILY LET IT SLIP AWAY.  WHEN I BECAME AN ENTREPRENEUR IT CHANGED. I WAS TRAVELLING FROM MANILA TO ZAMBOANGA CITY, AT THE CHECK IN THE LADY TOLD ME THAT I HAD EXCESS BAGGAGE OF ABOUT 2 KILOS AND THEREFORE I HAD TO PAY SOME 400 PESOS. MY ENTREP MIND TOLD ME THAT IT IS MONEY I COULD SAVE NO MATTER HOW SMALL IT IS.  SO I TOLD THE LADY THAT I WILL REDUCE THE WEIGHT AND ADD THOSE EXTRA KILOS INTO MY HAND CARRIED BAG. I WAS WILLING TO EXERT EXTRA EFFORT TO CARRY 2 KILOS TO SAVE MY 400 PESOS.  AND IMMEDIATELY I REALIZED THAT MY OFW MIND WOULD HAVE JUST PAID FOR IT BECAUSE I HAVE THE MONEY IN MY WALLET ANYWAY.

WHEN YOU HAVE ACQUIRED THE MINDSET OF AN ENTREPRENEUR, YOU WILL ALWAYS ASK YOURSELF WHETHER YOUR SPENDING WILL GIVE YOU BACK MONEY OR NOT. FOR EXAMPLE, MY FRIEND TOLD ME THAT SHE IS SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY ON REPAIRING HER HOUSE TO MAKE IT LOOK GOOD.  TO ME, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT BUT IN MY MIND (OF COURSE WITHOUT SAYING IT TO HER), IN MY MIND I WOULD RATHER SAVE THAT MONEY AND PUT IT TOGETHER WITH SOME OTHER SAVINGS I HAVE SO THAT I CAN EITHER PUT UP A BUSINESS OR INVEST IT IN BUSINESS SO THAT MY MONEY GROWS. IF I PUT IT IN THE HOUSE, THOSE MONEY WILL ONLY GIVE ME THAT NICE FEELING OF A BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN OR DINING ROOM. AS LONG AS I HAVE A ROOF OVER MY HEAD AND A CLEAN SURROUNDINGS, AESTHETIC VALUE IS NOT A PRIORITY.

IN 2016, WHEN WE NEEDED MORE FUNDS TO BUILD ANOTHER BRANCH OF THE COFFEE SHOP, WE SOLD OUR HOUSE. IT WAS OUR FIRST HOUSE, IT WAS FULL OF MEMORIES, IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT EASY TO LET GO. MY MINDSET ALLOWED ME TO NOT GET ATTACHED TO PROPERTIES. YES WE SOLD THE HOUSE BECAUSE WE NEEDED THE MONEY AND BECAUSE WE RELOCATED TO ZAMBOANGA CITY WHERE OUR BUSINESS IS. MAINTAINING THE HOUSE WOULD MEAN HAVING SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER IT, SO WE WOULD HAVE TO ALLOCATE ALLOWANCE FOR FOOD, FOR ELECTRICITY FOR WATER AND FOR TAXES.  BY SELLING THE HOUSE WE ELIMINATED ALL THOSE EXPENSES. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE WERE ABLE TO CONVERT THE MONEY FROM THAT HOUSE INTO SOMETHING MORE PRODUCTIVE. THE BRANCH THAT WE WERE ABLE TO BUILD WAS GIVING US MONTHLY INCOME THAT HAVE ALLOWED US TO EVENTUALLY BUILD THE THIRD BRANCH. MOREOVER THE VALUE OF OUR COMPANY HAS DOUBLED BECAUSE OF ANOTHER BRANCH ADDED.  MINDSET ALLOWED US TO STRATEGIZE AND TAKE ACTION.

I HAVE A FRIEND WHO LOST A LOT OF MONEY IN BUSINESS AND DECLARED BANKRUPTCY.  SHE THOUGHT THAT SHE NEEDED MORE MONEY SO SHE COULD REGAIN THE BUSINESS. BASED ON WHAT I KNOW NOW, WHAT SHE NEEDED IS NOT MORE MONEY BUT A CHANGE IN MINDSET.  AND THE ONLY WY TO CHANGE THE MINDSET IS TO WORK ON IT.  SHE HAS TO KNOW THAT THE SAME PERSON AND THE SAME THINKING THAT GOT HERSELF INTO BANKRUPTCY WILL NOT BE THE SAME PERSON WHO COULD LIFT HER OUT OF BANKRUPTCY.  THE THING IS, SHE WOULD NOT EVEN DARE ATTEND SEMINARS AND READ BOOKS, SO WHERE CAN SHE GET KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM FROM?  EVERYTHING IS A PROCESS.  CHANGING THE MINDSET IS A PROCESS. AND PROCESS INVOLVES TIME.  IF YOU CONTINUE TO GIVE EXCUSES LIKE, OH I HAVE NO TIME FOR A COURSE, OH I HAVE NO MONEY FOR A SEMINAR. WHEN WILL YOU THEN CHANGE YOUR MINDSET, KNOWING THAT TO ACHIEVE THE MINDSET THAT YOU NEED NOW, IS A PROCESS THAT YOU HAVE TO ...

TRANSCRIPT OF EP6
WELCOME TO RETIRE CONFIDENTLY!

HI, IT’S IMELDA AND IN THIS EPISODE I WILL BE SHARING WITH YOU WHY AN ENTREPRENEUR MUST GIVE IMPORTANCE TO PERSONAL GROWTH.  WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND EVEN UNTIL THE TIME I WAS ALREADY WORKING OVERSEAS, I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT PERSONAL GROWTH IS, IN ITS REAL ESSENCE.  I CAN NOW SAY THAT IT HAS A PROFOUND AND IMPACTFUL MEANING IN MY LIFE.

UNTIL I STARTED TO BE IN BUSINESS IN 2015, I NEVER SAW PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT TO BE THE SECOND BIG THING TO ME, NEXT TO MY FAMILY.  IN MY JOURNEY AS AN OVERSEAS WORKER, I REALIZED THAT IT IS ALL ABOUT EARNING MONEY FOR THE FAMILY, BEING GOOD AT MY JOB, FOLLOWING ALL THE RULES AND  DOING WHATEVER I AM BEING TOLD DO.  NOW I REALIZED THE WORST THING IS, I THOUGHT THAT I HAD ALL THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THAT I WOULD NEED FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT I NEEDED TO BE IMPROVING MYSELF AND KEEP LEARNING NEW THINGS TO BECOME A BETTER VERSION OF MYSELF.  I WAS NOT READING BOOKS, I WAS NOT ATTENDING SEMINARS AND WORST I WAS NOT MEETING NEW PEOPLE WHO COULD TEACH ME NEW THINGS.  LOOKING BACK, I COULD SEE THAT BEING AN EMPLOYEE, YOU ARE LIMITED, YOU ARE RESTRICTED. YOU INTERACT WITH THE SAME PEOPLE DAY IN DAY OUT, WEEK AFTER WEEK AND MONTH AFTER MONTH, YEAR AFTER YEAR.  I NOW REALIZED THAT IF YOU KEEP LISTENING AND TALKING AND ARGUING WITH THE SAME PEOPLE AGAIN AND AGAIN NOT MUCH WOULD CHANGE, YEAH?.  

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU START TO EARN GOOD SALARY AND WHEN YOU START TO BUILD A LITTLE BIT OF COMFORT IN YOUR LIFE BY HAVING A HOUSE, HAVING A CAR, BEING ABLE TO SEND KIDS TO SCHOOL, BEING ABLE TO TRAVEL SOMETIMES, THEN YOU SEE THAT YOU ARE HAVING A GOOD LIFE BETTER THAN OTHER PEOPLE, THEN YOU START TO SETTLE.  THEN YOU START TO ACCEPT THAT IT IS THE THE END GOAL. THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT YOU DO NOT FEEL GRATEFUL ABOUT THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE AND THE BLESSINGS YOU RECEIVE, IT IS ONLY TO MAKE YOU REALIZE THAT BEYOND GETTING WHAT YOU WANT AND BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY, IS THAT WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT FOR YOU?  IT IS THE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR OWN SELF THAT IS MOST CRITICAL.  IF I DID NOT ASK MYSELF WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO DO IN 2010, I WOULD NOT HAVE EMBARKED ON THE  JOURNEY OF BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR.  THE DAY I ASKED MY SELF THAT QUESTION, IT DAWNED ON ME THAT I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING MORE WITH MY LIFE THAN BEING IN A DESK JOB UNTIL I REACH 60 YEARS OLD.  EVEN IF YOU ARE 60 NOW, THE QUESTION IS WHAT DO I WANT TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE I REACH 70 YEARS OLD.  I BELIEVE THAT CONVERSATIONS WITH YOURSELF IS VERY POWERFUL. START DOING IT NOW.  

I REMEMBER TALKING TO AN INDIAN GUY WHO VISITED OUR OFFICE WHEN I WAS WORKING OVERSEAS.  I TOLD HIM THAT I WAS RESIGNING BECAUSE I WANTED TO OPEN A COFFEE SHOP. SO THE CONVERSATION LED ME TO SAYING THAT I BELIEVE WE SHOULD NOT STAY OVERSEAS FOR A VERY LONG TIME BECAUSE THERE ARE THINGS WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT BACK HOME. SO HE SAID THE REASON WHY WE TEND TO STAY OUTSIDE OF OUR OF OUR OWN COUNTRIES, IS BECAUSE WE SEE A GREENER PASTURE OVERSEAS, WHICH MEANS BETTER INCOME AND WE WANT TO LIVE A LIFE THAT IS COMFORTABLE WITH MORE EFFICIENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS AND ALL OTHER GOOD STUFF THAT A DEVELOPED COUNTRY COULD GIVE. AND  I GET THAT, I TOTALLY RESPECT THAT POINT OF VIEW. BUT AS IT IS WITH EVERYTHING IN LIFE, THERE IS GOOD AND BAD SIDE TO IT.  IF WE ARE TO LOOK AT THE BAD SIDE OF IT, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?  WELL, YOUR LIFE WILL BE LIMITED TO TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY. AND THAT SHOULD ALSO BE ENOUGH.  BUT A SOUL LIKE MINE WOULD CRAVE FOR SOMETHING MORE. I ALSO WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR MY COMMUNITY.  NOT A CLICHÉ, NOT A MARKETING STRATEGY, BUT SOMETHING I HEAR FROM DEEP INSIDE OF ME.  I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT FILIPINOS MIGRATE OUT OF FRUSTRATION FROM WHAT’S HAPPENING BACK HOME.  I KNOW THEY MIGRATE TO ESCAPE NEGATIVITY, I KNOW THEY MIGRATE BECAUSE THEY WANT A BETTER LIFE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. AND THESE ARE ALL NOBLE REASONS. BUT A SOULD LIKE MINE WOULD AGAIN ASK.  IF WE ALL MIGRATE, WHO IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE PHILIPPINES? WHO IS GOING TO CLEAN OUR BACKYARD? I DO NOT KNOW WHY THOUGHTS LIKE THIS COME TO MY MIND. THOUGHTS LIKE MAYBE I CAN BRING BACK HOME THE THINGS I HAVE LEARNED OVERSEAS SO THAT I CAN CONTRIBUTE TO MAKING MY COMMUNITY BETTER.  MAYBE IF I CAN LIGHT A CANDLE ONE STEP AT A TIME, MY COMMUNITY WILL BE BRIGHTER.  IF I CAN TOUCH AND INSPIRE ONE YOUNG PERSON AT A TIME, MAYBE IT WILL EVENTUALLY GROW IN NUMBER AND TOGETHER WE CAN TRANSFORM A DIRTY CITY INTO A CLEAN ONE. MAYBE IF I CAN SHARE MY STORY AND EXPERIENCES, PEOPLE YOUNG AND OLD WILL GET SOME INSPIRATION TO START WITH SMALL STEPS TOWARDS HELPING NOT ONLY THEIR FAMILIES BUT ALSO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. JUST MAYBE…. I AM POSITIVE THAT THINGS WILL CHANGE FOR THE BETTER AND I KNOW THAT THE CHANGE SHOULD START WITH ME. THAT IS WHY I BELIEVE IN GROWING MYSELF, CONSCIOUSLY EXERTING EFFORT TO BECOMING A BETTER VERSION OF MYSELF EVERY SINGLE DAY.

BY GROWING MYSELF YOU BECOME A BETTER HUMAN BEING. WHEN YOU ARE A BETTER PERSON, YOU ARE ABLE TO BUILD BETTER RELATIONSHIPS STARTING WITH YOUR FAMILY. BY BECOMING A BETTER PERSON YOUR ARE CONSCIOUS THAT YOU HAVE TO PART WAYS WITH PERFECTIONISM, YOU HAVE TO PART WAYS WITH EGO, EGO THAT WAS BUILT BECAUSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN SCHOOL, IN LIFE, IN BUSINESS OR WHEREVER.  BEING TOO CONSCIOUS WITH TITLE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS IS ALSO A BLOCKAGE IN THE SYSTEM.  WHEN I DID THE QUANTUM LEAP PROGRAM I KNEW I HAD THOSE BLOCKAGES AND UNTIL NOW I AM MAKING AN EFFORT TO REMOVE THOSE BLOCKAGES.  GROWING MEANS HUMILITY WITH CONFIDENCE. GROWING MEANS RESPECTING OTHERS FOR THEIR OWN STRENGTHS AND BEING HAPPY WITH THEIR OWN SUCCESS. GROWING MEANS YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE GOSSIPING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.  GROWING MEANS FORGIVING OTHERS FOR THE MISTAKES THEY HAVE DONE TO YOU. GROWING MEANS LIBERATION, AND GROWING MEANS FREEDOM AND PEACE OF MIND.

WHY IS GROWTH IMPORTANT IN BUSINESS? BECAUSE THE IMELDA WHO COULD GROW THE COMPANY INTO A NATIONAL BRAND WOULD NOT BE THE SAME IMELDA WHO BUILT DENNIS COFFEE GARDEN IN 2015.  IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR ME TO EXPAND THE BUSINESS IF I DO NOT GROW MYSELF. AND BY GROWING MYSELF, I MEAN BEING MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE TECHNICALITIES OF BUSINESS EXPANSION, BEING MORE FOCUSED, BECOME BETTER AT NEGOTIATIONS, STRONGER LEADERSHIP SKILL AND MOST IMPORTANTLY CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE WHO COULD HELP ME MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.  GROWING MYSELF CHANGED MY MINDSET, I HAD ACCEPTED THAT I NEEDED TO TAP ON THE HELP OF OTHER PEOPLE, NOT MERELY RELYING ON MYSELF TO DO EVERYTHING.  THE CATCH IS THAT, IF YOU DON’T GROW YOURSELF YOU WILL BE INSECURE AND WHEN YOU ARE INSECURE YOU THINK OF ALL THE NEGATIVE THINGS, EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT REAL.  AND WORST THING, SOMETIMES YOU DON’T EVEN NOTICE THAT YOU ARE INSECURE.  I WAS LIKE THAT.  WHEN I DID THE QUANTUM LEAP PROGRAM I CAME INTO CONTACT AND HAD TO DEAL WITH ALL THE INSECURITIES AND EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE, GUILT, FRUSTRATIONS, ANGER, AND ALL OTHER NEGATIVE EMOTIONS THAT I HAVE CARRIED FOR YEARS

ANOTHER REASON WHY YOU SHOULD GROW YOUR BUSINESS IS TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW YOUR STAFF AS WELL. AS THE COMPANY IS GROWING, YOU WILL NEED TO TRAIN AND PROMOTE MORE PEOPLE. AND AS YOU PROMOTE MORE PEOPLE, THEY ALSO KEEP GROWING. AND WHEN THEY KEEP GROWING YOU HAVE PAID IT FORWARD. WHEN YOU HAVE PAID FORWARD THE MORE YOU WILL BE REWARDED.  IT IS A CYCLE OF GOOD THINGS HAPPENING AGAIN AND AGAIN. AND WHEN IT GROWS, THE WORLD BECOMES A BETTER PLACE FOR YOU AND FOR ME…MICAHEL JACKSON WILL BE HAPPY THAT HIS SONG HAS AN IMPACT ON PEOPLE EVEN AFTER HE HAD LEFT THIS EARTH HAHAHA.

LASTLY, IF I HAVE TO SUMMARIZE WHAT PERSONAL GROWTH IS ABOUT IT’S REALLY ABOUT DISCOVERING YOURS...

Transcript of EP5
WELCOME TO RETIRE CONFIDENTLY!

HI, IT’S IMELDA AND IN THIS EPISODE I WILL BE SHARING WITH YOU WHY FINANCIAL LITERACY IS IMPORTANT.

TO ME FINANCIAL LITERACY IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT CHANGED MY LIFE. IT CHANGED MY DIRECTION. IT WAS THE REASON WHY I STARTED TO MAKE A DECISION TO STOP BEING AN EMPLOYEE AND TO START LEARNING THE SKILLS OF AN ENTREPRENEUR. IT MADE ME AWARE OF WHAT I SHOULD BE DOING AND WHAT I SHOULD NOT BE DOING IN ORDER TO BECOME FINANCIALLY FREE.  

AND WHY IS FINANCIAL FREEDOM IMPORTANT? BECAUSE IT ALLOWS US TO DO THINGS THE WAY WE WANT IT DONE AND IT ALLOWS US TO LIVE LIFE ON OUR OWN TERMS AND NOT BEING CONTROLLED BY A COMPANY OR A BOSS WHO WILL TELL US WHEN TO REPORT TO THE OFFICE AND WHEN TO GO HOME. THE COMPANY CONTROLS HOW MUCH WE CAN EARN EVERY MONTH AND THE COMPANY CONTROLS WHEN TO GO ON VACATION. AS AN OVERSEAS WORKER BEFORE, I GOT TO GO HOME ONCE A YEAR PAID FOR BY THE COMPANY, OTHER PEOPLE GET A PAID VACATION EVERY 2 YEARS. IN OTHER PLACES THE COMPANY DOES NOT PAY FOR THEIR VACATION, SO THEY DO NOT GET TO VISIT THE PHILIPPINES EVERY YEAR.  NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS IF YOU HAVE SETTLED FOR IT AND HAVE ACCEPTED IT TO BE YOUR SITUATION. BUT TO ME, NOT BEING ABLE TO CONNECT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY BACK HOME IS SOMETHING SAD, BECAUSE THINGS ARE CHANGING ALSO OVER THERE, OLD FOLKS ARE GETTING OLDER AND SOME OF THEM DYING WITHOUT US SEEING THEM. IT’S ALSO SAD THAT WE DO NOT GET ENOUGH TIME TO SPEND WITH THEM AND LEARN WISDOM FROM THEM.  ONE OF MY MENTORS SAID THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH OLD PEOPLE BECAUSE WE CAN LEARN A LOT FORM THEM FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OURSELVES, OUR FAMILY AND OUR COMMUNITY.  HE ALSO SAID THAT THE BIGGEST DEBT THAT WE OWE IS NOT TO THE BANKS WHO GAVE US LOANS, IT IS TO OUR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WHO DID EVERTHYING THEY CAN TO GIVE US A GOOD LIFE AND LAUNCH US TO WHERE WE ARE NOW.  WE SHOULD NOT ABANDON OUR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS.  MAYBE THEY COULD NOT GIVE EVERYTHING WE NEEDED BUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT IT WAS ALL THEY KNOW AND WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD AT THE TIME THEY WERE RAISING US UP. I AM NOT IN DENIAL AND THEREFORE I SAY THAT THIS IS NOT HAPPENING. 

MONEY CANNOT REPLACE TIME, WE CAN SEE HOW FAST OUR CHILDREN ARE GROWING. WE HAD NO CONTROL OF OUR TIME. OUR COMPANIES AND THE INSTITUTIONS WE ARE WORKING FOR CONTROLLED US IN EXCHANGE FOR THE SALARY THAT WE RECEIVE. BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO QUESTION, HOW IS IT THAT THINGS ARE NOT CHANGING EVEN WITH THAT SALARY COMING IN EVERY MONTH?  WE ARE STILL SHORT OF MONEY AND STILL CANNOT AFFORD TO RETIRE WITH CONFIDENCE.  WE ARE STILL WORRIED OF WHERE TO GET MONEY AFTER OUR WORKING DAYS OUR OVER.  AND COMPANIES HAVE RULES TO PUT YOU ON RETIREMENT AUTOMATICALLY WHEN YOU REACH THE AGE OF 60 AND MAYBE 70 IN SOME COUNTRIES? BUT I ALSO AGREE WITH MY MENTOR, PEOPLE IN THEIR 60S OR 70S SHOULD NOT BE WORKING ANYMORE.  THEY SHOULD BE TAKEN CARED OF AND NOT KEPT AWAY IN HOMES FOR THE AGED.  THEY LOOKED AFTER US, WE SHOULD LOOK AFTER THEM.  SOMETIMES WE SUGARCOAT THINGS, WE SAY IT IS GOOD TO KEEP THEM IN HOMES FOR ELDERLY, BECAUSE IT IS MORE PRACTICAL, BECAUSE YOU HAVE PROFESSIONAL CAREGIVERS WHO CAN TAKE CARE OF THEM.  WHEN WE SAY IT IS MORE PRACTICAL WE ARE ALSO SAYING WE CANNOT AFFORD TO GET PROFESSIONAL CAREGIVERS TO CHECK ON THEM IN OUR OWN HOUSES.  THIS IS SOMETHING I PERSONALLY BELIEVE SHOULD BE RE-EXAMINED.  I AM SAYING THESE THINGS WITH DUE RESPECT TO OTHERS WHO MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION. I APOLOGIES, I AM JUST SAYING MY OWN TRUTH AND I RESPECT THAT, IT MAY NOT BE YOUR TRUTH.  BUT I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT I WANT TO BE IN MY OWN SON’S HOUSES WHEN I GROW OLD RATHER THAN BEING LEFT AT HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.

WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL IN MY YOUNGER DAYS, I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT GOOD GRADES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SET ME UP TO BECOME RICH WHEN I GROW UP.  BUT AS OF WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AS A FACT NOT ALL OF OUR CLASS VALEDICORIANS OR TOP TEN LISTERS HAVE BECOME FREE.  

SO WHY IS IT SO? FROM MY OWN PERSPECTIVE, THIS IS BECAUSE WE WENT TO SCHOOL FOR ACADEMIC LITERACY BUT NOT FINANCIAL LITERACY.  IN SCHOOL WE WERE LABELLED AND JUDGED BASED ON OUR GRADES AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCES.  SCHOOL FOCUSED ON OUR MATH AND SCIENCE GRADES BUT DID NOT FOCUS ON OUR EMOTIONS AND INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS WHICH ARE DIFFERENT FROM PERSON TO PERSON.  WE WERE TAUGHT GOOD VALUES, BUT WE DID NOT STRICTLY PRACTICE WE DID NOT APPLY GOOD VALUES, THAT’S WHY THERE IS BULLYING EVEN IN SMALL CHILDREN. CHILDREN ARE CHILDREN, HOW THEY ARE TREATED AT HOME, THEY WILL DO THE SAME IN SCHOOL.  ANOTHER MENTOR TAUGHT ME THIS WISDOM, HOW YOU DO ANYTHING, IS HOW YOU DO EVERYTHING. IF THE KID IS A BULLY AT A YOUNG AGE, HE WILL BE A BULLY AT A LATER STAGE, UNLESS THE PARENTS DO SOMETHING TO CORRECT IT.  WHY DO I BELIEVE THAT BULLYING IS NOT RIGHT? BECAUSE IT DESTROYS ANOTHER CHILD, THE ONE BEING BULLIED, AND IT CAN HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT IN HIS LIFE EVEN AS HE GROWS UP. AS WE CAN SEE NOW, EVEN THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO INTERVENE TO CREATE A LAW AGAINST BULLYING. THAT TO ME IS A SIGN THAT BULLYING MUST BE STOPPED AT HOME.

LEARNING IS ONE THING, APPLYING IS ANOTHER THING.  WHEN I DID QUANTUM LEAP WITH SUCCESS RESOURCES, I SAW THE VALUE OF HUMAN CONNECTION, THAT WE CAN ALL LOVE AND SHOW COMPASSION EVEN TO PEOPLE WE JUST MET AT THE SEMINAR.  MALE OR FEMALE CAN BE COMPASSIONATE TO EACH OTHER.  IT IS NOT DIRTY TO SHOW OTHER PEOPLE COMPASSION, EVEN IF THEY ARE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX.  WE FOCUS TOO MUCH ON ROMANTIC LOVE THAT WE FORGOT THAT THERE IS A MORE POWERFUL LOVE THAT IS SO POWERFUL. THE LOVE FOR HUMANITY.  WITHOUT LOVE FOR HUMANITY, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE CHAOS AND VIOLENCE AND ROBBERY AND CORRUPTION AND EGO AND BEING ENVIOUS AND THE LIST CAN GO ON AND ON, BUT ALL IN THE NEGATIVE DIRECTION.  I MUST SAY SOMETHING ABOUT CORRUPTION, I BELIEVE IF WE KNOW THAT THE MONEY GAME CAN BE WON WITHOUT CHEATING, THERE WILL BE NO CORRUPTION. I BELIEVE THAT A CORRUPT PERSON HAS ACCEPTED THAT HE OR SHE CANNOT WIN A GAME OR MAKE A LOT MONEY USING HIS OR HER OWN BRAIN AND TALENTS.  I KNOW THAT WE CAN ALWAYS CHANGE AND WE CAN ALWAYS WIN A GAME WITHOUT CHEATING! LET US JOIN HANDS TO CHANGE OUR WORLD AND MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE. I KNOW IT SOUNDS LIKE THE SONG OF MICHAEL JACKSON, BUT IT HAS A STRONG MESSAGE TO THE WORLD, SO LET’S ACT ON IT!

SO WHAT IS FINANCIAL LITERACY THEN?, FINANCIAL LITERACY IS FINANCIAL FREEDOM AND FREEDOM IS HAPPINESS. FINANCIAL LITERACY IS KNOWING THE GAME OF MONEY, HOW IT WORKS AND HOW YOU CAN WIN THE GAME.  IT IS NOT ABOUT BEING GREEDY ABOUT MONEY. IT IS NOT ABOUT ASPIRING TO BECOME THE NEXT BILL GATES OR WARREN BUFFET, IT IS ABOUT KNOWING THE BASICS BY FOCUSING ON CREATING ASSETS THAT WILL GIVE YOU PASSIVE INCOME AND CONTROLLING SPENDING ON THINGS THAT DO NOT GIVE YOU INCOME WHICH ARE CALLED LIABILITIES.  IT IS ABOUT KNOWING THAT IF YOUR ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME IS YOUR JOB THEN YOU ARE HEADING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.  AND PLEASE KNOW THAT IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT IF YOU ARE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. IT IS SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU WERE NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOL ABOUT THE LANGUAGE OF MONEY BUT THE MOMENT YOU EXITED THE UNIVERSITY, THE WORLD IS ALL ABOUT MONEY.  MONEY FOR FOOD, MONEY FOR SHELTER, MONEY FOR MOVIES AND CONCERTS, MONEY FOR EDUCATION AND MONEY FOR MEDICATION. HEY! SO WHY DID THEY NOT TAUGHT ME ABOUT ALL THESE IN SCHOOL? I ALSO HAD THE SAME QUESTION MYSELF.  WELL, IT’S NEVER TOO LATE. LET’S START NOW!

HAVING SAID ALL THOSE THINGS, I HOPE I WAS ABLE TO GIVE CLARITY ON WHY FINANCIAL LITERACY IS IMPORTANT TO ME AND TO YOU.

THAT’S ALL FOR NOW. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN MY NEXT EPISODE WHERE I WILL BE SHARING WITH YOU MORE TIPS ON HOW YOU CAN RETIRE CONFIDENTLY. THAN...

TRANSCRIPT Ep 4 Retire Confidently
WELCOME TO RETIRE CONFIDENTLY!
HI, IT’S IMELDA AND IN THIS EPISODE I WILL BE SHARING WITH YOU HOW I HAD OVERCOME THE ACTUAL CHALLENGES THAT I ENCOUNTERED AFTER I STARTED THE BUSINESS. IN THE EARLIER EPISODES I HAD SHARED THE CHALLENGES I FACED BEFORE ACTUALLY OPENING THE COFFEE SHOP, NOW, I WILL SHARE THE CHALLENGES AFTER I HAD OPENED THE COFFEE SHOP.  
IN LINE WITH WHAT I HAVE BEEN SHARING ABOUT PREPARATION, BEING PREPARED FOR CHALLENGES IS PART OF IT. I SAY THIS AGAIN, WHEN YOU ARE PREPARED, HALF OF THE BATTLE IS WON. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT IF YOU HAVE PREPARED, EVERYTHING WILL GO SMOOTHLY AND THAT YOUR PREPARATION WILL COVER 100% OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE REAL WORLD.
I HAVE TO BE HONEST THAT CHALLENGES ARE REAL. I WILL NOT SUGARCOAT THINGS AND MAKE IT APPEAR LIKE BUSINESS IS EASY, BECAUSE IF I DO NOT IT IS NOT HELPFUL. I EARLIER SAID THAT IT IS A LEARNABLE SKILL, BUT IT IS NOT WITHOUT ITS OWN THAT IS THE REASON WHY, YOU MUST HAVE A STRONG “WHY” SO THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN THE GAME. MONEY ALONE IS NOT A STRONG WHY. YOUR STRONG ENOUGH WHY WILL ALLOW YOU TO NOT GIVE UP TO CHALLENGES COMING YOUR WAY. LET’S FACE IT, THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS WORLD THAT IS NOT CHALLENGING, EVEN WITH HAVING A JOB, THE PRESSURE OF SUBMITTING REPORTS AND MEETING DEADLINES FROM, OR MAKING THINGS HAPPEN IN THE OFFICE IS ALSO A LOT OF PRESSURE ON US.
FIRST CHALLENGE WAS CONQUERING FEAR TO OPEN THE COFFEE SHOP. SUBCONSCIOUSLY I WAS DELAYING THE OPENING, BEING THE PERFECTIONIST THAT I AM, BUT MY SON NICO TOLD ME THAT I HAVE STOPPED GETTING SALARY AND MONEY IS GOING OUT NO MORE COMING IN THEREFORE I HAD TO JUST PUT A BANNER THAT WE ARE ON SOFT OPENING AND CUSTOMERS WILL UNDERSTAND EVEN IF THE SET UP IS NOT PERFECT.
SECOND CHALLENGE WAS RAISING MORE CAPITAL. WHEN I WAS WORKING OVERSEAS, I ALWAYS FELT THAT I HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR MY NEEDS AND EVERY MONTH WHAT I SPEND IS BEING REPLENISHED. BUT WHEN I STARTED THE BUSINESS, CONSTRUCTION ALONE TOOK MORE THAN HALF OF THE MONEY WE HAD SAVED. I LATER REALIZED THAT AS A START UP, I WAS BUYING ITEMS WHICH WERE NOT REALLY CRITICAL FOR THE COFFEE SHOP, THEY WERE MERELY OF AESTHETIC VALUE MORE THAN OF FUNCTIONAL VALUE.  
SO, FOR THE FIRST TIME, I GOT TO EXPERIENCE THAT FEELING OF, WILL THE MONEY IN THE BANK BE ENOUGH FOR SALARY AND OTHER OVERHEADS? IT IS GOOD ENOUGH THAT YOU HAVE A LOT OF CUSTOMERS COMING IN, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO MANAGE EXPENSES.
BECAUSE OF THE POSITIVE RESPONSE WE RECEIVED FROM THE MARKET. WE TOOK THE CHALLENGE OF OPENING A SECOND BRANCH A YEAR AFTER THE FIRST CAFÉ WAS OPENED. THIS OF COURSE NEEDED ME TO RAISE MORE FUNDS. AT THIS TIME, I FELT LIKE GOING INTO ANOTHER WAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMING BACK FROM WAR. MY WOUNDS HAVE NOT HEALED YET, WHY GO FACE ANOTHER BATTLE?  
BUT MY GUTS IS TELLING ME THAT IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY I COULD NOT MISS BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO BE LOCATED IN A NEWLY BUILT MALL AND THE MALL IS THE FIRST BIGGEST MALL IN ZAMBOANGA CITY. IT WAS GOING TO BE A MAGNET THAT WOULD ATTRACE HUGE PEOPLE COMING TO THE MALL. FORTUNATELY FOR US, MY GUT FEEL TURNED OUT TO BE CORRECT. AND FAST FORWARD TO WHAT HAPPENED IN 2017 WHEN THE GOVERNMENT PROJECT OF ROAD WIDENING WAS IMPLEMENTED IN THE LOCATION WHERE OUR FIRST CAFÉ WAS SITUATED, OUR KCC MALL BRANCH HELPED US TO STAY AFLOAT.
SO GOING BACK TO THE POSITION WHEN WE DECIDED TO OPEN OUR KCC MALL BRANCH, I AGAIN STARTED TO FIND WAYS ON HOW TO RAISE MONEY. I WAS ABLE TO BORROW SOME MONEY FROM BANKING INSTITUTIONS LIKE BPI, METROBANK AND PNB. IN MY EXPERIENCE, IT WAS A LOT EASIER TO BORROW MONEY FROM PRIVATE BANKS COMPARED TO GOVERNMENT BANKS LIKE LANDBANK AND DBP. I EVEN TRIED THE OFW REINTEGRATION PROGRAM INTRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT, BUT IT DID NOT WORK. THE CONCERNED BANK WAS JUST TOO DIFFICULT TO TALK TO.
I ALSO APPROACHED FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHOM I THOUGHT WOULD HAVE SOME SAVINGS BECAUSE THEY WERE WORKING ABROAD. SENDING INVESTMENT PROPOSALS TO ALMOST 50 PEOPLE, I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE 6 WHO RESPONDED POSITIVELY. AND I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL TO THESE FRIENDS WHO TRUSTED ME AND SUPPORTED OUR BUSINESS. REJECTION IS PART OF BEING IN BUSINESS THAT IS WHY DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IS CRITICAL; I DON’T TAKE IT AGAINST THE PERSON WHEN HE/SHE DOES NOT WANT TO INVEST IN OUR BUSINESS. THERE ARE A FEW REASONS THAT I THINK WHY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WILL NOT INVEST THEIR MONEY, EVEN IF THEY KNOW ME WELL:
• ONE REASON IS THAT THEY ARE SCARED THEY WILL LOSE THE MONEY BECAUSE I HAD NO TRACK RECORD AT THAT TIME, EVEN THOUGH IN THE CONTRACT I PROMISED TO REPAY WHATEVER HAPPENS TO THE BUSINESS
• SECOND, THEY FEEL GOOD JUST KEEPING THE MONEY IN THEIR BANK ACCOUNT, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AWARE THAT MONEY LOSES VALUE OVER TIME WHEN IT IS KEPT IN THE BANK. INFLATION WILL ERODE THE VALUE OF GOVERNMENT ISSUED MONEY.
• THIRD, THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF INVESTING, OF MAKING MONEY WORK FOR THEM, BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT COMMONLY PRACTISED. ONLY THE RICH PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO KNOW THE VALUE OF INVESTING AND CREATING PASSIVE INCOME.
• FOURTH REASON COULD BE THAT THEY REALLY DO NOT HAVE MONEY.

WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BORROW MONEY FROM FRIENDS, FAMILY AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS? THE ANSWER IS LEVERAGE. FOR A BUSINESS TO GROW, WE HAVE TO USE LEVERAGE. WE CANNOT FOREVER BE FUNDING GROWTH OF OUR BUSINESS USING OUR OWN MONEY. BECAUSE OUR OWN MONEY IS LIMITED. THE USE OF LEVERAGE IS A TRUE TEST OF HOW GOOD A BUSINESS PERSON IS. THIS IS OF COURSE NOT KNOWN TO MOST OF US.
AVERAGE PERSON IS SCARED OF DEBT AND BORROWING MONEY, WHILE A BUSINESS PERSON SEES DEBT AS AN INSTRUMENT THAT WOULD HELP HER TURN IDEAS INTO REALITY.
ASIDE FROM RAISING CAPITAL, I ALSO HAD CHALLENGES ON: 
• GETTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE ON BOARD. SIMPLE AND UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEWS DO NOT REALLY TELL YOU WHETHER THE APPLICANT IS THE RIGHT CANDIDATE. YOU HAVE TO USE PROVEN SYSTEM OF RECRUITMENT TO GIVE YOU A GOOD ENOUGH PERCENTAGE THAT THE CANDIDATE IS RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS
• EMPLOYEE RETENTION – EMPLOYEE RETENTION IS A CHALLENGE BECAUSE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR FAST RESULTS. YOU NEED TO DOUBLE YOUR EFFORTS TO TRAIN THEM AND COACH THEM SO THAT THEY ADOPT A MINDSET OF PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE.
• GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS – SOME GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS RESTRICT EMPLOYERS BECAUSE THEY WERE CREATED BASED ON EMPLOYERS WHO WERE NOT COMPLIANT 
• CONTROLLING COST – A CAFÉ BUSINESS IS A LABOR INTENSIVE BUSINESS. THE MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE BUSINESS, THE MORE ISSUES THERE WILL BE. THERE IS A SAYING THAT A BUSINESS IS PERFECT UNTIL YOU BRING IN PEOPLE
• WORKING WITH SUPPLIERS WHO ARE NOT IN THE SAME MINDSET AND VALUES AS YOU ARE. THERE ARE SUPPLIERS WHO WILL SHORTCHANGE YOU AND THAT IS WHY YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO BE .
• CREATING SYSTEMS SO THAT THE BUSINESS RUNS WITHOUT YOU AND IT CAN BE DUPLICATED FAST – I SEE THIS TO BE A CHALLENGE BECAUSE IT IS NOT EASY, BUT DEFINITELY POSSIBLE. YOU JUST HAVE TO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF ASKING OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE RIGHT EXPERTISE TO HELP YOU.
NOW THE QUESTION IS, WITH ALL THE CHALLENGES THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED, DO I REGRET THAT I MOVED OUT OF BEING AN EMPLOYEE INTO NAVIGATING THE BUSINESS WORLD? THE ANSWER IS, DEFINITELY NOT! I HAVE NO REGRETS, BECAUSE I HAVE PROVEN THAT MY GROWTH AND MY FULFILLMENT AS A PERSON LIES OUTSIDE OF WHERE MY COMFORT ZONE WAS, WHEN I WAS AN EMPLOYEE. LOOKING AT MY SITUATION NOW, I TOTALLY AGREE THAT GETTING OUT OF YOUR CURRENT COMFORT ZONE, GIVES YOU A BIGGER COMFORT ZONE. BY OVERCOMING CHALLENGES, YOU ARE INCREASING YOUR COMFORT ZONE. YOU BECOME BIGGER THAN YOUR ISSUES IN BUSINESS AND IN LIFE.
I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT FAILURE IS PART OF SUCCESS IT IS NOT THE OPPOSITE OF SUCCESS. THE ONLY REASON WHY WE FEAR FAILURE IS BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN CONDITIONED IN SCHOOL THAT A FAILING GRADE MAKES US UNLIKEABLE AND FAILURE IS SOMETHING WE MUST AVOID. LIFE IS ABOUT MAKING CHOICES AND TAKINGS RISKS. IF WE DON’T TAKE RISK IN...

Ep 3 Why Business Is The Key To Unlock From Stuck To Unstoppable

Ep 2: How To Prepare To Retire Confidently 

The Beginning: The Life Of An Overseas Worker