I'm a creative being, through and through. Finding solutions is what I do best! For a few years, my creative outlets took a backseat as I devoted my attention to my greatest creation yet—my daughter. Don't get me wrong; I've been working continuously, as co-owning DigitalCLIQ doesn't allow for a break. But as my favorite author, Paulo Coelho, once said,
“An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming…”
It's not that "life is dragging me back with difficulties," but, as many fellow moms can relate, my work ethic shifted dramatically when I transitioned into motherhood. My creativity found new expressions as a mother, making me more efficient, compassionate, caring, and even more eager for creative work. Now that my child is older and more independent, I can continue to evolve. My goal is to focus on roles and projects that serve a higher purpose. So if you're ready to collaborate and make a difference, I am too.
The story of my professional journey.
After high school, I enrolled at Santa Ana / Rancho Santiago Colleges to pursue an Associate Degree. Like many young students, I frequently changed my major—first, I considered International Business and studied Japanese, then I switched to Psychology with a focus on Asian American studies. Eventually, I took a break from school to explore other interests.
During this exploratory phase, I moved to South El Monte and worked at Home Depot as a cashier and sign maker, taking a six-month hiatus from my studies. I later attended El Monte Adult School, where I became certified as a Pharmacy Technician and acquired skills in 10-key typing, anatomy, and more. Despite valuing the experience, I found the coursework too easy and decided to pursue something more challenging.
Returning to Orange County, I started working at Dave and Busters in the Deposits department, handling financial tasks and eventually assisting the Business Manager. During my four-year tenure there, my mother offered me the opportunity to take over her accounting business. Realizing I needed more knowledge in taxation and accounting, I explored various schools and ultimately chose Westwood College in Anaheim. The admissions team recognized my passion for art and guided me toward graphic design, a decision that would shape my future career.
Balancing full-time graphic design courses with two jobs—retail and full-time work at Dave and Buster's—was overwhelming. Fortunately, I secured a full-time graphic design position at 1DayBanner.com, a local business, allowing me to attend night classes. Six months later, I joined Hybrid Apparel as a Color Separator and, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communications in 2009, continued there as a Production Artist for the Branded Division working on accounts like Levi's and Reebok.
Seeking new challenges, I left Hybrid to launch Redefined Magazine, a Filipino American publication aimed at redefining cultural identity. Although the magazine didn't come to fruition, the experience provided valuable personal and professional growth.
Transitioning to freelance work was challenging, but I secured various projects and stable positions, including graphic design roles at Westridge Laboratories and Janmar Lighting. During this period, I also worked with Kasama Media, focusing on the Filipino American community, and collaborated with Gawad Kalinga, a non-profit in the Philippines, to create the Bayani Tour.
In 2013, I appeared on a weekly TV segment called Social Media Mondays that aired on Kababayan LA on LA18, discussing various digital topics. Then in 2014 I spoke at UniPro’s 2014 Summit in New York City, emphasizing the Filipino concept of communal unity, Bayanihan. That summer, I co-founded the Los Angeles chapter of NextDayBetter, a storytelling platform, organizing influential events and managing marketing efforts for chapters in cities like London and New York.
In 2015, I joined Smart World Mobile/PLDT US Mobility as a Digital Marketing Consultant, handling paid ads, social media, and website development. Throughout my career, I've worked with numerous clients and organizations, gaining diverse industry experience.
As a Public Relations Coordinator for Black Book Sessions, I led marketing and fundraising efforts before joining DigitalCLIQ, where I initially contracted as a graphic designer and eventually became the Creative Lead. This role allowed me to work across various industries, manage clients, and oversee creative projects.
During the pandemic, my role at DigitalCLIQ shifted to primarily administrative tasks while managing a few clients. With our family business running lean, it was time for me to seek new opportunities, either by acquiring more clients or securing a stable job to support our family.
I am now open to new projects or part-time positions, eager to grow as a creative and as a leader to support my family. If you're looking for someone who has navigated both successes and challenges, takes accountability, empathizes with users and clients, and brings creativity and dedication to every project, I could be a great fit for your team. Thank you for considering my journey and potential contributions!