I graduated as an electronic technician and was able to use what I learned by working for an Elevator Company for many years. However, since I was assigned to various faraway locations, I was often away from my family and rarely got to go home. I missed my wife and child deeply, but I endured the distance because I wanted to succeed in my field—for them.

Still, there came a point when the physical toll of long hours, lack of sleep, and homesickness began to affect me. I started to wonder if I could find work closer to home—or even start a business—just so I could be with my wife and child more often.

That’s when I seriously considered starting a business. In 2018, my wife and I launched an e-commerce business. We enrolled in online courses to learn how to run it properly. I was hands-on with everything: I built our online store, did the designs, and ran the Facebook ads. We experienced success early on.

But when the pandemic hit, we gradually started losing money. Deliveries failed to reach customers, and we had a high volume of returned parcels. So, I decided to pause our e-commerce operations and shift to helping other business owners by becoming a graphic designer.

My wife bought me a course on LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com), and I studied the principles of design seriously—learning how to communicate messages effectively through graphics. Since I had no clients at the time, I started by offering free design work for friends and relatives to sharpen my skills.

Later, I enrolled in UpskillCreativesPH to improve further. I collaborated with various designers until I started getting actual clients in niches like golf, learning consulting, short-term rentals, and more.

I haven’t stopped learning since. I’m determined to become one of the best designers out there—someone who helps businesses grow and, most importantly, fulfills the dream of building a better future for my family.