I grew up in the slums of Quezon City, the youngest of four siblings. At a very young age, I witnessed the harsh realities of poverty. When I was three—my parents discovered my talent for art. By five, my skills were further honed when I received a sponsorship from UNICEF. That was my first dot, where I realized that creativity could play a big role in my future.

Despite my passion for art, financial constraints kept me from pursuing my dream of becoming an architect or working in advertising or animation. Instead, I enrolled in Business Administration majoring in Marketing at a reputable public university in Manila. It was a practical choice—one that would later prove valuable. After graduation, I took short courses in graphic design, balancing my education with work to support myself.

At 28, armed with experience and determination but without capital, I took a leap of faith and started a small marketing agency. I juggled multiple roles—handling projects alone while also working as a consultant. Competing with bigger agencies without funding was tough, and after a few years, I made the difficult decision to close my agency and focus on a full-time marketing career in the IT industry.

I poured my heart into every marketing execution, ensuring flawless results. My dedication earned me recognition and respect, but after four years, I was suddenly made redundant. Despite my frustration, I reminded myself of Steve Jobs' words: "You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future." I chose to see this setback as an opportunity.

Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones

Losing my job was not the end—it was a new beginning. I used my redundancy package to complete my MBA studies and had a chance to be an exchange student abroad and reinvested in my passion by relaunching my marketing agency. In time, it flourished, securing multinational clients through relationships I had nurtured over the years.

However, the pandemic hits and left and right cancellation of events, losing money for several months without getting any projects. I learned new skills - digital marketing and partnered with those who have skills in the digital marketing area so we can position it as our new service offerings to compete in the virtual marketing during pandemic.

As my marketing agency grew, we were eventually acquired by an Australian company, which allowed me to expand my network and offshore skills. The partnership provided valuable exposure and new opportunities. The acquisition of creative quest gave birth for me to build a private resorts near Manila and eventually opened my second resort an hour away from the first resort I put up.

But things don't go as planned with the company that acquired us, and after almost three years, we mutually agreed to part ways, and I made the bold decision to restart the company once again. My journey has been like a wheel, with several ups and downs, but each challenge only reinforced my resilience and determination. Reacquiring creative quest means I have to fund it by myself. I borrowed money from my friends to survive the business.

My entrepreneurial spirit did not stop there. After years of corporate experience, Each challenge along the way—from financial struggles to near-depression—tested my resilience. Yet, I emerged stronger each time. Even when I faced severe challenges after reacquiring Creative Quest in 2024, I refused to give up. A year later, I had not only survived but regained my strength and confidence.

Key Takeaways

Invest in Continuous Learning – The skills I gained over the years made me multi-functional and adaptable.

Turn Struggles into Strength – My early hardships built my resilience, shaping me into a determined entrepreneur.

Nurture Relationships – Trust and reputation played a crucial role in securing long-term clients and opportunities.

See Setbacks as Opportunities – Losing my job led to greater achievements that I never anticipated.

Keep Connecting the Dots – Every experience, good or bad, plays a role in shaping our future success.

Like Steve Jobs said, we may not always see how the dots connect at the moment, but when we look back, we realize they form a masterpiece. Life’s adversities do not define us—they prepare us for greater things. Keep expanding your horizon, embrace challenges, and most importantly, trust in the process of connecting your own dots.