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From Jobless Homemaker to Happy Freelancer - Interview with Jessa Sevilleno

October 30, 2019
by Jason Dulay 
Jason is the founder and CEO of Work from Home Roadmap and VA Bootcamp. Aside from teaching Filipinos how to succeed working from home, he likes traveling, playing board games, and drinking coffee.
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MALAPIT NA MAG-GRADE 1 SI BABY!

Nakaka-excite at nakaka-happy pag nakikita mo ang bawat milestone sa paglaki ng anak mo. Nakaka-pressure din lalo na pag nag-umpisa na silang mag-aral.

As a mom, one of Jessa Sevilleno's top priorities is preparing for her child's future, especially his education. Of course, parents want only the best for their kids.

When they reach the first grade, it's a huge milestone. It's when a child is usually introduced to the realities of the outside world. It's when a lot of transitions take place.

For parents, it also means something. Their child starts to become more independent, and their time together is lessened (unless they opt to homeschool). It's also when they start thinking of ways to augment their household income because of school-related expenses.

When we asked Jessa about her motivation to pursue freelancing, she replied,

"My family. Nagdecide ako na mag full-time VA na ako nung malapit na mag grade 1 ang
anak ko. I want to earn more and help my family."

Thanks to online freelancing, Jessa managed to fulfill her duties at home while being able to help provide for the needs of her family.

She added, "The best thing about being a freelancer is FREEDOM. I can work anytime and anywhere I want. I can choose projects/clients na feel ko perfect para sa akin.

Family and health is very important para sa akin, that's why I decided to become a VA.
Now, I can work —

*in the coffee shop pag may lakad/punta sa mall with my family
*at school pag may activity/meeting/sabay kain during lunch with my son, or
*inside the car pag may biglaang lakad.

Do you want to enjoy this kind of freedom, too?

Are you curious to hear the rest of Jessa's story?

Watch the replay here.

 

Notable Quotes:

  • Ang reason ko naman bakit ako nag-join sa freelancing world – siyempre, ‘yung freedom. Especially ‘yung mga mommy at daddy dyan, ‘yung may mga anak diyan, gusto natin nakikita natin araw-araw ang mga anak natin habang nagta-trabaho tayo. Habang lumalaki sila, nandiyan tayo palagi sa tabi nila.
  • Pray always. Pinipigilan ko lang ang mga negative things. I just turn them into positive things. Why not find the solutions to the problems kaysa mamoblema ka.
  • Kaming dalawa, ako at ang tatay ng anak ko, ang nag-decide. Wala namang mawawala sa amin after ma-take namin ang course. After a month, magkaka-client na ako at mababawi rin namin ang ini-invest namin.
  • Dapat mag-study ka talaga. Kaya mag-research kayo. Kung may questions kayo, nandyan naman si Google at si YouTube, di ba?
  • Binitiwan ko ang client ko kasi maliit lang ang sahod at parang hindi na ako happy. So, nag-try ako ulit mag-apply sa iba para happy at satisfied ako sa kinikita ko; then ‘yung flexible ang time – any time na gusto mo o kahit saan ka mag-work.
  • Kung ayaw mo ng client, okay lang. Maghanap ka ng iba.
  • Direct ang clients ko mula sa FB groups. ‘Yung iba, sila ang nagre-reach out sa akin.

Jessa Sevilleno’s Journey to Freelancing

  • After graduating from her management accounting course, she became a full-time mom. She did not have any work experience.
  • She and her partner experienced financial difficulties. Her partner’s income was not enough for their family.
  • One time, they only had twenty pesos for breakfast. While on their way to the carinderia in their neighborhood, they found a fifty-peso bill. This sufficed for breakfast for the 3 of them.
  • She has been wanting to get a job. She, then, started getting to know about freelancing through TV shows, but she was skeptical because scams are common.
  • Then, her partner shared with her Jason Dulay’s FB video on freelancing. Since she still had doubts about freelancing, she read reviews about the VA Bootcamp.
  • She discussed the idea of enrolling in the VA Bootcamp with her partner. The couple decided that Jessa’s enrollment would be a good investment for them.
  • They even borrowed money to pay for her enrollment in the complete course.
  • She finished the course in a month. She studied it intently and did a lot of research to enhance her knowledge on the lessons presented.
  • She sent 3 application letters, and she got her first job on social media management.
  • Her pay was $80 for a 4-hour job per month. However, she had to work 5 days a week; she spent much time learning about HootSuite, Buffer, Canva, and graphic design.
  • Then, after a month, her job contract ended. She kept herself busy by enhancing her skills.
  • Since then, she started getting jobs from direct clients.
  • She also accepts varied side projects.
  • It is remarkable to know that she chooses clients who allow her to work on her own terms: flexible time with a good pay.
  • Her positivity adds happiness to her work as a general VA. Now, she also does WordPress, video editing, Photoshop, and many others.

Q&A Highlights

What made you decide to enroll in VA Boot Camp?

Siyempre, ‘yung family ko. Freedom, of course. And then, matutulungan ko ang family ko kahit nasa bahay, basta may internet lang.

 

Hindi ka ba nahirapan na mag-convince sa asawa mo?

Center dapat ang God sa mag-asawa. Dapat nagkakaintindihan din kayo. Kung hindi kayo nagkakaintindihan, wala talaga.

 

Do you think itong experience mo – naghanap ka nang matagal – ito ang tumulong sa iyo kung bakit ka nagpursige nang nagpursige sa freelancing?

Plan ito ni God kasi ilang years akong nagpa-pray na sana maging isang virtual assistant ako. Ibinigay naman niya unti-unti hanggang ngayon. Happy naman ako at parang ito naman ang ibinigay niya.

 

I’m planning to give up on my client next year. Hourly kasi at mababa lang ang pay. No holiday pa kasi nakasalalay ang sweldo sa hours na nagtrabaho. If you were in this situation, how would you tackle this problem?

If ‘yung client mo ngayon is mababa, for example, hindi ka satisfied, hindi ka happy, huwag mo munang bitawan ang client na ’yan. Hanap ka muna ng client. ‘Pag napasok mon a ang client, na ang i-give up mo. Pero ‘yung bagong client na ‘yun, kailangan mo pang mag-build ng relationship ng 3 months. ‘Pag nakita mo na pang long-term siya, bitawan mo na ang client mo na hourly rate. 

 

Anong niche mo po? Saan ka po magaling or ano ang passion mo sa freelancing?

Pang general ako. Marunong ako sa WordPress. Nag-create ako ng website ko, ako lang. Tapos, video editing, Photoshop. Kahit ano, basta huwang lang ‘yang calls.

 

Masasabi mo ba na maraming naitulong ang VA Boot Camp sa iyo?

Mayroon talaga. ‘yung sa pag-interview, ano dapat ‘yung sa cover letter, kung ano ang format. Okay naman.

 

Di mo po ba naaaya ‘yung hubby mo to try freelancing lalo’t may experience siya sa sale at customer service?

Gusto na niyang mag-enter sa freelancing kaya nag-iipon ako ngayon para sa laptop niya. Gusto rin niyang maging VA tulad ko kasi ang mga clients ko ngayon upfront na.

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by Jason Dulay 
Jason is the founder and CEO of Work from Home Roadmap and VA Bootcamp. Aside from teaching Filipinos how to succeed working from home, he likes traveling, playing board games, and drinking coffee.

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109 comments on “From Jobless Homemaker to Happy Freelancer - Interview with Jessa Sevilleno”

  14. Im getting married na ngayung march na stuck parin ako sa corporate world ko pero still consistent parin ako maka hanap nang client para din meron na din ako pang gastos sa kasal ko ..at sa future family ko

    Reply

  69. pano po kaya ako 2years po ako nag work sa BPO ,may experience ako sa Billing General Inquiry and sales .
    ito ung tinanong sakin
    what are the VA tools you are familiar with and do you have sales/real estate background?

    Reply

    2. Hello, Good morning . As a former ATT Directv sales representative I can say that I have an excellent hard selling experience . However since I worked at the office for 2 years I'm not familiar for any VA tools but I am willing to search and learn if ever I will be given a chance.
      Type

      Reply

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