It was on 2011 of August during my college days that I first heard about freelancing. One afternoon I was with my college buddy Kat and we went to take a late lunch to a local eatery outside the University of Mindanao where we were studying.
While we were eating and talking about struggles as a working student, the owner of that eatery who have gotten close to us overheard us talking. She then mentioned that her niece was working as a freelancer. Curious as I was, I asked how does that work? She then, gave me the link of onlinejobs.ph and it was the very first time I heard about freelancing :)
After class that afternoon I went to an internet cafe to search for that website and started signing up. For about two weeks after I signed up I finally received an email from a potential client. I remember I was so excited and very nervous as well, I meant it was my first job invite and never have I had any idea that time what to expect because I was really new to the world of freelancing and didn't even have a bit of experience yet. But to my eagerness to the possibility that might help me support my studies, I responded and had my first interview.
And guess what happened? Despite the fact that I was inexperienced yet,I passed the interview and landed to my first ever freelancing job. I was so, so happy! And because I did not have a laptop and an internet connection in my boarding house, I would go to an internet cafe to work and my work that time was to write an Article 300-400 words daily.I had that job for about 6 months and then I landed to my second freelancing job through meeting a client unpurposely during a call center training. My task was a personal assistant and posting jobs online. I remember every time my client comes home in Davao from their Company office in Hong Kong, we would have a meeting downtown and would treat me for massage, spa, salon, and you name it! Yes, it was an incredible time with a VA- client relationship. We became really good friends since then although sheโs now in Germany with her husband.
Several months after that I got pregnant and decided I would focus being a mom to my newly born child, so for more than 2 years I was at home, I started my small printing shop but then one day I decided I wanted to go back to working as a desire to help my family get the financial stability we wanted.
And lucky enough, I saw an ad about freelancing course offered by coach Grace or Filipino Virtual Assistance. I enrolled, learned new set of skills and confidence, finished the coaching with gold certificate, and 2 weeks after that I landed to my third client but I considered it my first client again because it as like a new beginning for me and for my career.
Since I started freelancing on that third client I was able to buy two machines for my printing shop, camera and some important gadgets, about to pay half the full amount of the property I invested while freelancing, and I had opportunities to help financially to family, friends, and missionaries who needed support with their mission trips.
The gratitude I felt when I landed to my first freelancing job has grown even deeper now. I always know that itโs Godโs guidance and love that put it all together for me even during the lowest point of my life and down times in my freelancing career.
For this very reason, Iโd like to give back. To share the very things I became very thankful for, from the very first day I started freelancing up unto the present, working on my third client for about 2 years now.I look forward to working and providing quality services to my client and to the clients I will work with. That not only will I be bless financially and have the freedom to stay at home with my two adorable girls but for my clients to be fully satisfied that they have me aboard. And Iโd also like to be a help to other freelancers out there who might need help not only in the knowledge aspect but also as a support system as they venture their freelancing career :)
