Friendly CEO Podcast

8. Building a Travel Blog Empire: IC Caribbean and Leadership with Icen Collins

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 01:25:01 -0500

In this conversation, host Jade interviews Icen Collins, the CEO of Iccaribbean.com, a Caribbean travel blog and magazine. Icen, originally from St. Kitts and now residing in Atlanta, shared his journey from being a shoe salesman and auto parts store manager to founding his own online travel agency. He emphasized his passion for promoting the Caribbean, leveraging his local knowledge to offer authentic travel experiences.

Timestamps

0:00:00 - Introduction and Background of Icen Collins00:00:46 - Previous Professions Before Founding IC Caribbean00:01:39 - Managing Time as a CEO and Family Man00:02:02 - Coordinating an International Team00:03:15 - Choosing the Travel Industry00:05:04 - Advice for Aspiring Travel Agency Owners00:07:04 - Long-term Vision and Entrepreneurial Mindset00:07:58 - Passion for the Travel Industry00:10:09 - Managing and Motivating a Team00:14:34 - Recognizing Strengths and Addressing Weaknesses00:16:06 - Potential Future Ventures00:18:19 - Reading Preferences and Recommended Books00:21:08 - Favorite Magazines00:22:07 - Love for the Caribbean00:23:29 - Tropical Climate and Cultural Similarities00:26:02 - Legacy and Helping Others00:28:03 - Social Media and Future Plans for IC Caribbean00:29:59 - Cross Collaboration and Networking00:31:07 - Audience and Outreach

Connect to Icen:

Website: iccaribbean.com

7. Embracing Unstoppable Resilience: A Conversation with Verna Haywood

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 09:35:59 -0500

In this conversation, host Jade interviews Verna shares her personal experiences of trying to fit in with certain groups or please others, only to realize that true fulfillment comes from self-acceptance and self-love. She emphasizes the idea that each individual is uniquely divine and has a special purpose in the world. By focusing on loving and accepting oneself first, individuals can cultivate a sense of inner peace and confidence that radiates outward.

Takeaways:

Verna's coaching approach involves guiding individuals through conversations and self-reflection to help them uncover their hidden strengths and qualities.

Seeking out mentors and support systems that elevate, motivate, and inspire you is crucial for personal growth and development.

Verna shares her own experiences of overcoming challenges such as sexual abuse, domestic abuse, and breast cancer.

Verna's advice to a younger version of herself is to seek someone who will elevate, motivate, and inspire you.

Timestamp:

[00:01:26] The power of positive writing.

[00:06:52] Overcoming challenges and spreading kindness.

[00:10:42] Finding light in darkness.

[00:17:37] Knowing oneself at a young age.

[00:23:16] Embracing individuality and self-love.

[00:25:47] Embracing uniqueness from within.

Connect to Verna:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VernaHaywood3

Website: ⁠verna-haywood.com⁠

6. The Importance of Insurance in the Philippines with Christine Dimaliuat

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 01:39:02 -0500

In this conversation, host Jade interviews Christine Dimaliwat, a unit manager from AIA Philippines, discusses the importance of insurance in the Philippines and the low insurance coverage rate of less than 2%. She highlights the value of insurance for income protection, health, critical illness, education, and retirement. During the pandemic, the focus shifted to affordable accident and life insurance. Dimaliwat emphasizes the need for financial literacy and insurance education in schools and families. She also shares the requirements for becoming a financial advisor and the entrepreneurial mindset needed for success. Dimaliwat encourages listeners to connect with her for more information and highlights the need for more financial advisors to help increase insurance coverage in the country. Takeaways

Insurance coverage in the Philippines is less than 2%, highlighting the need for increased financial literacy and insurance education.
Insurance provides income protection, health coverage, critical illness support, education savings, and retirement planning.
During the pandemic, the focus shifted to affordable accident and life insurance to address immediate needs.
Becoming a financial advisor requires sales experience, leadership ability, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:44 The Importance of Insurance in the Philippines

05:01 The Value of Insurance for Filipinos

06:00 Insurance as Income Protection

07:25 Insurance for Health and Critical Illness

08:52 Insurance for Education and Retirement

09:22 Promoting Insurance Awareness during the Pandemic

10:50 Choosing the Right Insurance Plan

12:11 Requirements for Becoming a Financial Advisor

16:43 The Entrepreneurial Mindset

18:22 Affordability of Insurance in the Philippines

19:51 Renewing and Expanding Insurance Coverage

22:26 Promoting Financial Literacy and Insurance Education

25:23 Connect with Christine Dimaliwat

26:55 The Need for More Financial Advisors

28:20 Being a Partner for Life

29:48 Opportunities for Financial Advisors

30:17 Helping People Nationwide

31:14 Elevating People's Quality of Life

5. Embracing Unconventional Dreams with Maisie Trang

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 14:14:27 -0500

In this conversation, host Jade interviews Maisie Trang, a pharmacist by, shares her unique journey of pursuing a career in the media industry while also teaching a basic computer course. She emphasizes the importance of embracing unconventional dreams and following one's interests. Maisie discusses the challenges of imposter syndrome and offers advice for introverts to overcome isolation and discover their passions. She encourages aspiring pharmacists to explore other skills and interests outside of their field. Additionally, Maisie provides insights for course creators, emphasizing the value of learning from successful examples and networking with experienced individuals.

Takeaways

Embrace unconventional dreams and diverge from the normal path.

Overcome imposter syndrome by acknowledging that new pursuits are valid and real.

Lean into your interests and offer something valuable to others.

Take the time to discover your passions and give yourself a chance to pursue them.

Learn from successful examples and network with experienced individuals when starting a business or creating a course.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:20 Pharmacist and Media Industry

03:01 Creativity and Basic Computer Course

05:13 Passion and Business Ventures

07:15 Introversion and Imposter Syndrome

10:04 Advice for Introverts and Finding Interests

13:16 Inspiration and Overcoming Isolation

14:08 Advice for Discovering Passions

16:41 Voice Acting and Acting Business

19:03 Discovering Voice Acting Skills

20:17 Advice for Aspiring Pharmacists

23:23 Advice for Course Creators

25:29 Conclusion

4. Make it Messy with Jessa Mae Bermudo

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 00:19:23 -0500

In this conversation, host Jade interviews Jessa Mae Bermudo, the founder and creative director of Whirlyesha Branding and Design Studio. Jessamee started her business at the age of 19 and has since worked with various brands worldwide. She shares her experiences and insights on freelancing, setting rates, investing in people, dealing with burnout, and finding balance as a student, freelancer, and business owner. She emphasizes the importance of discipline, making connections with industry leaders, and embracing the messiness of the journey. Jessa Mae's legacy is to inspire young people to pursue their passions while balancing their education. Takeaways

Starting a business at a young age is possible with genuine connections and a playful approach to branding.
When setting rates as a freelancer, consider the client's needs, your experience, and the impact you can provide.
Investing in people and delegating tasks can help grow your business and create more time for other activities.
Finding balance and dealing with burnout is crucial for long-term success as a student, freelancer, and business owner.
Making connections with industry leaders and mentors can provide valuable guidance and inspiration.
Embrace the messiness of the journey and take action, as it is through mistakes and experimentation that growth happens.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 02:15 Starting a Business at a Young Age 04:05 Working with Brands and Overcoming Challenges

05:19 Discovering Freelancing and Building a Brand

08:06 Setting Rates as a Freelancer

09:27 Factors to Consider in Pricing

12:06 Investing in People and Delegating Tasks

13:32 Pros and Cons of Being a Student, Freelancer, and Business Owner

14:17 Dealing with Burnout and Finding Balance

15:44 The Importance of Discipline and Staying Focused

18:02 Making Connections and Learning from Mentors

20:59 Embracing the Messiness and Taking Action

26:45 The Best Advice from Mentors

29:34 Leaving a Legacy and Balancing Education and Business

Facebook:

Jessa Mae Bermudo

3. 1% better every day with Jeg Lopez

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 02:40:32 -0500

In this conversation, host Jade interviews Jeg Lopez, a freelancer and social media manager, about his journey and personal development. Jeg emphasizes the importance of taking control of one's life and striving for 1% improvement every day. He shares his experiences in freelancing and the lessons he learned along the way. Jeg also discusses the significance of self-development and the impact it has had on his life. He highlights the value of fitness and learning from others, as well as the importance of knowing oneself and maintaining a clear vision. Jeg offers advice to younger generations and provides insights into the reality of freelancing. He concludes by sharing his income goals and his aspirations for leaving a legacy.

Takeaways

Take control of your life and strive for 1% improvement every day.
Freelancing requires perseverance and the ability to handle rejection.
Invest in personal development and know yourself.
Maintain a clear vision and surround yourself with positive influences.
Prioritize fitness and learn from others.
Take time to reflect and spend time with yourself.
Freelancing is not easy, but it offers opportunities for growth and success.
Set realistic income goals and focus on building systems.
Legacy is about helping others and being a role model.
Love life will come in due time, focus on personal development first.
Meditation and worship can help clear the mind and provide a sense of purpose.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Take Control of Your Life

01:55 Jeg's Journey into Freelancing 06:13 Personal Development and 1% Improvement Every Day

09:41 Jeg's Perspective at 20 Years Old

12:07 Legacy and Self-Development

14:30 Fitness Routine and Learning from Others

17:00 Advice for Younger Generations

20:50 The Reality of Freelancing

22:34 Jeg's Income in Freelancing

25:31 Legacy and Pursuit of Love Life

26:27 Meditation and Worship

29:24 Conclusion and Contact Information

Facebook:

Jeg Lopez

2. Impact of Freelancing on Life with Jeah Tradio

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 02:21:43 -0500

In this conversation, host Jade interviews Jeah Tradio shares her journey from being a social media manager to starting her own social media marketing agency. She discusses the transition from SMM to Facebook ads and the reasons behind it. Jeah also explains why she chose to work with local clients and the impact freelancing has had on her life. She shares insights on investment and financial management, emphasizing the importance of saving and minimizing business expenses. Lastly, she talks about using Grab as a business opportunity and the process of setting it up.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

08:00 Transition from SMM to Facebook Ads

15:27 Choosing Local Clients

18:02 Impact of Freelancing on Life

25:54 Investment and Financial Management

35:32 Using Grab as a Business Opportunity

Connect with Jeah:

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

1. Nurturing an Entrepreneurial Mindset with Jeff Mirandilla

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 09:56:14 -0500

In this conversation, host Jade interviews Jeff Mirandilla, the founder of IDeyator Ventures shares his journey from being a civil engineer to becoming a full-time entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset and continuously learning. Jeff also discusses the significance of personal finance and the need for entrepreneurs to have a strong foundation in managing their finances. He shares his experiences of failure and resilience, highlighting the importance of embracing change and innovation. Jeff's passion for helping others led him to start Editor Ventures as a passion project, providing business consultation and support to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

Nurture an entrepreneurial mindset and continuously learn to adapt to the ever-changing business landscape.

Develop a strong foundation in personal finance to effectively manage your finances and business operations.

Embrace failure and use it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Surround yourself with successful entrepreneurs who can inspire and mentor you.

Be resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges and embrace change and innovation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:33 Humble Beginnings and Shift to Entrepreneurship

03:32 Editor Ventures and Business Consulting

04:30 Importance of Personal Finance

06:28 Overcoming Doubts and Fears

07:55 Learning from Failures

08:52 Inspiration from Successful Entrepreneurs

10:46 Nurturing an Entrepreneurial Mindset

11:43 Starting Editor Ventures as a Passion Project

16:40 Providing Business Consultation and Support

18:38 Building a Community and Offering Programs

20:23 The Importance of Fundamentals in Business

24:32 Handling Finances and Business Growth

28:00 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Connect with Jeff:

Linked in: Jeff Mirandilla

Instagram: iamjeffmirandilla

Produced by:

PodDing Media