Jhana's Career Journey Before Being a Freelancer

If you're reading this, you're probably curious about my freelancing journey and how I built my career over the years. It wasn't an overnight success, and it definitely wasn't easy. But that's the beauty of it—it’s a process that takes time, effort, and a lot of patience. I want to share my experience to encourage you, especially if you're a freelancer or someone hoping to achieve financial and time freedom.

I began my journey in 2015, working as a human resources staff and encoder. It was a humble start, but I quickly realized I needed to branch out and explore more opportunities.

By 2016, my path took an exciting turn. I worked in Saga, Japan for a year, then it led me to becoming a Japanese language trainer. It helped me develop a deeper understanding of communication across cultures.

My 20-year-old-something ass trying to be aesthetic 😂

Eventually, I found myself in the corporate world, working in marketing at Nissan. I learned how to sell, communicate effectively, and negotiate with clients—skills that would later become invaluable in my freelancing career. But something was missing. I wanted more freedom, flexibility, and control over my time.

A hot summer day, outside a bank in Lucena

I started a restaurant business with my partner in 2019, before the pandemic started. Unfortunately, that wasn't for us. In 2020, I made the leap into freelancing. It was scary at first, but I trusted myself and my skills. I started with Japanese Manga translation and transcription jobs, gradually expanding into medical and business transcription. I also worked as an executive assistant for an international health and fitness company, where I gained insight into managing tasks remotely and creating seamless workflows. Then came my role as a marketing assistant and content writer, where I dived deep into SEO-targeted blogs.

Working at night, no sleep no eat

Along the way, I had the opportunity to work with PCBTok, an electronics company. This gave me experience in ghostwriting, copywriting, and even graphic editing. It was another step in building a diverse skill set that I could offer clients across different industries.

One thing I want to emphasize is that freelancing isn’t an easy path. There are times when the work feels overwhelming, and it takes years to build a stable income and achieve true financial freedom. But every step, every role, taught me something valuable. I’ve learned to trust the process and keep going, even when things get tough.

To all aspiring freelancers: your journey won’t look like mine, and that’s okay. It’s going to take time, but the freedom and fulfillment that come with it are worth the effort. Stay persistent, be open to learning, and always take pride in your growth. If I could do it, you can too!