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; and
• Acquire 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 correct this year

42:11 – “Create a hierarchy of values”: Rommel’s tip for those who are starting out, and for those who can’t decide what to do next

46:16 – Why it is important for you to hire an expert who can and will help you with your business

49:19 – Web Accessibility: Gerson’s field of work that makes websites accessible to everyone including persons with disabilities

51:14 – The challenges and push backs Gerson encountered as he was exploring the web accessibility niche

57:08 – Watch out! Live, face to face workshop with coach Rommel Isla about communications. Exact dates to be announced soon; and Savage Closing Crash Course still available

59:18 – Word Camp Cebu 2023, Web Accessibility Philippines group, and other things to watch out for this year with Gerson Lacdao

Key Takeaways:

“It’s okay to compare, huwag lang ma-fixate sa results. People tend to compare the results to a point that they become so obsessed or insecure because they haven’t gotten that same result… Compare the process, not the results” – Rommel Isla

“Don’t let fate decide kung ano yung para sa ‘yo this year. You grab it by the hand” – Rommel Isla

“I let opportunities pass by because of the limiting beliefs that I had. Now that I realized it, mas nabibigyan ng fire yung kagustuhan ko to really step out of my comfort zone and be comfortable in being uncomfortable.” – Gerson Lacdao

Connect with Rommel Isla: 

•  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/savagecloser/?originalSubdomain=ph 

Connect with Gerson Lacdao: 

•  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gslacdao/?originalSubdomain=ph 

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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 B; doon ka mag-isip ng Plan B.” – Mechelle Carpio

“It’s very important na if you’re going through something, na parang gusto mo nang mag-give up, you need to step back and you have to think. Kasi kung lagi kang nara-rattle, doon ka magpapanic and then you’re going to decide na hindi mo naman talaga gusto, drastic decisions.” – Mechelle Carpio

“Self-motivation is like a superpower. If you know how to motivate yourself, then I think you will be good.” – Mechelle Carpio

“You should have short-term goals and long-term goals, but you should work on your short-term goals first. Take it step-by-step and do not pressure yourself sa mga gusto mong gawin or dapat mong gawin sa buhay.” – Mechelle Carpio

Notes / Resources Mentioned:

Rich Dad, Poor Dad: https://www.richdad.com/rich-dad-poor-dad

The Freelance Movement: https://www.facebook.com/thefreelancemovement

Fearless Orange: https://fearlessorange.com/

Connect with Mechelle Fajardo:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mechellecarpio/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mechelleqc414

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; and
• Find 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 Alejandro

1:12:52 – Episode 34 with Michelle Roldan

1:15:17 – Episode 35 with Jalvi Valdes

1:18:00 – Episode 36 with Eb Fajardo

1:20:22 – Episode 37 with Rene Leanda

1:21:50 – Episode 38 with Miguel Campaner

1:24:49 – Episode 39 with Dominic Barrios

1:26:56 – Episode 40 with Joe DiChiara

1:29:09 – Episode 41 with Marge Aviso

1:31:49 – Today is another good way of starting the podcast with brand new guests and takeaways

Connect with Jan Briones:

• Facebook/Instagram: @weekendswithjan
• LinkedIn: Jan Briones

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; and
• Be 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 facebook.com/teleworkphcareers/

Key Takeaways:

“I think every entrepreneur should see their business almost die and then come back to life. It is a completely different, life-changing experience.” – Marge Aviso

“When it comes to managing people, we really have to make decisions… Even if kapamilya mo, if it’s going to hurt the business in the long run, wala dapat family, family.” – Marge Aviso

“When it comes to growth, kailangan talaga na mayroon kang cash runway. Kapag wala, maba-bankrupt ka” – Marge Aviso

Connect with Marge Aviso:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorieaviso/

Connect with TeleworkPH

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teleworkph
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/teleworkph/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeleWorkPH

Follow Weekends with Jan

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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; and
• Discover 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 quickly as possible’”. – Joe DiChiara

“My passion is helping people. I get a lot more personal satisfaction out of that.” – Joe DiChiara

“Everything is possible if you put your mind to it. It’s the laws of attraction. If you do the right thing, people will show up. Don’t worry about the details – they always work themselves out.” – Joe DiChiara

“If you keep doing the same thing, you’re going to keep getting the same results” – Joe DiChiara

“No person ever achieved massive success on their own.” – Joe DiChiara

Notes/Resources Mentioned:

HireMyVA: https://hiremyva.com/

Connect with Joe DiChiara:

•  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bedrockpublishing/

•  Live Chat: www.timewithjoe.com

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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 succumbed to depression, but as a parent and a provider, it's not a choice and not an option not to show up. The only way to find clients is when you continue showing up." - Dominic Barrios

What showing up means in a sorry state:

"It's consistently showing value and your results online despite what you're going through. It's about more than just value posts but posting daily about what you do as an email marketer, chatbot builder, or anything. That way, your network will know what you do; before you know it, referrals are on their way to you." - Dominic Barrios

"If you're in a different market right now and want to find another one to focus on, continue value posting. Consistently post on Facebook and LinkedIn and do stories about what you do because eventually, other markets will reach out to you and see your value."  - Dominic Barrios

"Success for me is when you are able to help a business or a person, and you're happy with what you're doing at the same time." - Dominic Barrios

Connect with Dominic Barrios:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominicbarrios/

“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; and
• Get an answer on the usual concern people ask freelancers (that “may pera ba talaga dyan?” question)

 Topics Covered:

5:30 – Looking Back: Miguel takes us back into his journey as he narrates how from naturally loving English, he got an online job that got bigger and bigger since then

17:41 – Things Just Happened: Talking about Miguel’s love for English and why he decided to focus on that skill, along with the who’s and what’s that helped him have a solid foundation for the field

24:50 – The Rocks in the Journey: Miguel shares the challenges that he faced as he kept going with his freelancing career

39:54 – The Biggest Lesson: “Risk. You have to jump. You have to risk even if it sacrifices comfort, finances, and even at times, relationships.”

43:03 – Etched in Mind: The objections Miguel has gone through, from the Filipino stereotype in pricing to clients’ doubts when it comes to results

52:05 – Present and Future: Discussion around Miguel’s own definition of success

56:22 – The Focus: Miguel explains why he works with people who wants to make 10M/year, especially Filipinos who also want to learn copywriting

59:08 – Grab the chance to have FREE access on Miguel Campaner’s Copywriting Foundations (valued at P499)! Check the instructions below.

1:02:22 – Be part of the TribeX attendees! Save the date – November 6 in Aliw Theater

Key Takeaways:

“Medyo ang Philippines kasi is following ang trend ng America, so kung ang America, ito ang ginagawa, ang Philippines, susunod. Sabi ko nga sa isang friend ko, if you want to predict the future ng Philippines, just look at America right now; that’s the Philippines two to three years from now. Marami na ang freelancers doon, maraming na ang online jobs doon, so that’s what I’m gonna do.” – Miguel Campaner

Notes / Resources Mentioned:

• The Freelance Movement Tribe: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tfmtribe
• Copywriting Training Camp PH: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CopywritingTrainingCampPH

Connect with Miguel Campaner:

•  Email: [email protected] 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/copywritingtrainingPAGE; https://www.facebook.com/groups/CopywritingTrainingCampPH

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Be one of the five lucky winners of Miguel’s Copywriting Foundations (valued at P499) for FREE! All you have to do is:

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Future programs

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; and
• Find 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”?

48:18 – Me, Myself, and I: Is Eb Fajardo a self-taught video editor? What motivated him to share his learnings with other aspiring editors?

53:54 – Learn from Eb: A piece of advice for those who a) also aspire to become video creators and/or editors, and b) who want to upgrade their skills

59:12 – Record Everything: Discussion around the importance of documenting and watching recordings of what you do

Key Takeaways:

“Doon ko na-realize na iba pala talaga ‘yong nagagawa kapag sobrang solid no’ng video; iba ‘yong magiging impact sa tao. Makakapag-decide sila kung ano ‘yong gusto nilang gawing decision based sa kung ano ‘yong napanood nila.” – Eb Fajardo

“Nagmukmok pa rin ako kasi kailangan siya eh; kailangan ng bawat isa na yakapin ‘yong kalungkutan. Okay lang na mag-dive ka doon sa dagat ng kalungkutan basta ‘wag mong hahayaan na malunod ‘yong sarili mo.” – Eb Fajardo

“You need to have a solid group of network na makikinig [sila] at malalaman mo rin ‘yong kwento nila.” – Eb Fajardo

“Importante na if you are a creator, dapat consumer ka rin, kasi hindi mo malalaman kung ano ‘yong pangit saka kung ano ‘yong maganda [kung hindi]. Dapat mayro’n ka laging tinitingnan na next level mo… Ayon ‘yong way ng pagle-level up eh, ‘yong makakita ka rin ng videos na naglevel-up na.” – Eb Fajardo

Notes / Resources Mentioned:

• The Freelance Movement: https://thefreelancemovement.com/
• John Pagulayan: https://www.facebook.com/john.pagulayan.52
• Eb Video Creatives: https://www.ebvideocreatives.com/
• Video Creator Lodis: https://www.facebook.com/groups/497400541914620/

 Connect with Eb Fajardo:

•  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miharbe12
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/497400541914620/
• Website: https://www.ebvideocreatives.com/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@boy_eb
• Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ebvcreatives

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; and
• Discover 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 forward?

24:56 – One-of-a-kind: Being a Happiness Coach and the differentiators it has if compared to other trainings 

31:23 – Learn from Jalvi: Top three (3) leadership tips to hone your teams and make everyone happy

44:11 – The Event: Talking about The Better Happy and the upcoming The Better Happy Leaders Camp

49:48 – How does Jalvi define success?

Key Takeaways:

 “‘Yong curiosity – wanting to know more about people and wanting to make them smile – it sort of erases the issue of ego.” – Jalvi Valdes

“Singit ko lang ‘yong disclaimer – if you feel that you need professional help, seek professional help. Sinasabi ko rin ‘to sa lahat ng students ko. I have seen a therapist several times this year also; I practice what I preach. I can’t coach myself. Talagang kailangan you really see a psychologist, a psychiatrist, if you need to; please. If you’re depressed, you’re really depressed. If you have anxiety, you really have anxiety. Seek professional help, please. Do yourself a favor. There’s a lot of free mental health hotlines.” – Jalvi Valdes

“There’s so much information out there that it’s hard to filter which is true and which is not, so I would really want to ask, ‘anong source mo?’” – Jalvi Valdes

“I-share mo bakit mo sinimulan ‘yong agency mo. Bakit ka nag-hire ng team? Why are you doing what you’re doing? When you share this and they share your sense of purpose, they know that by working with you, they’re also building a better world.” – Jalvi Valdes

Notes / Resources Mentioned:

• The Better Happy: http://www.thebetterhappy.com/
• The Better Happy Leaders Camp: https://thebetterhappy.com/leaders-camp/
• 
  

Connect with Jalvi Valdes:

• Website: http://www.thebetterhappy.com/