HOW I STARTED
I came to know freelancing industry through Femalenetwork.com. I saw some post from a group of ladies talking about Odesk (now Upwork). I was curious and then I just tried and bingo I hit it, I was so excited that Odesk is paying in $$$$$$.
MY FIRST PROJECT
I registered in Odesk (now Upwork) on August 23, 2008 and got my first project on October 6, 2008, that's more than a month of applying for jobs. Guess, what! The test project was for $5.55 to research and create one Chapter (10 each ) of Algebra questions and I need to provide the solution. Wait, copying was not allowed 🙂 If I do well, I will be hired for an hourly contract. And yes, after a week, I got my first hourly contract.
I can still remember the feeling when I got hired , I was so happy, why because I am earning in $$$$. Who wouldn't, right? The bad news, I had no internet and computer from home and with hourly contract it requires a tracker. What I did was to talk to the owner of a computer shop and ask if I could have dedicated computer to use and thank to them I was able to work on that hourly project. One more thing, I work on it after office hours and that is between 9:00 pm to 11:30 pm and I travel from Ortigas to Imus, Cavite. Can you imagine the difficult times ? But it paid off, finally I was able to apply for an internet connection and had a used computer ( the one in horizontal model) for Php3000.00.
SUCCEEDING PROJECTS
I thought it's going well after the first one, yes I was hired but I was scammed. I was not paid for $16.67 ! I waited again for more than a month until I got the big break. I had a couple client and work for them for three years.
TAKING THE LEAP
After two years of working part-time, I resigned from the corporate world. Yes, I was brave enough and took the challenge of becoming a full-time work at home mom. The journey was not easy but the fact that I'm writing my story today is good enough to know that it was worth it.
Eight years is good enough to tell that freelancing rocks. I don't have benefits, no government benefits, health cards, sick and vacation leaves but I survived.
MY PAYOUT PARTNER
So, after working hard, I deserve to be paid, right 🙂 Payoneer's Prepaid Mastercard has been my partner ever since I started freelancing and that is almost 8 years now. Note: The charge is higher for the debit card vs local bank withdrawal (connect Payoneer to local bank).
One thing I love most about Payoneer's Prepaid Mastercard is I can get my funds quickly and even within 30 minutes after it is transferred.
BEYOND FREELANCING
Where am I now? I decided to go beyond freelancing and step out in faith on a different level and still with Payoneer by my side. I'm slowly transitioning as a business owner and on my way of helping create jobs for the countryside through a homegrown BPO.
Yes, I DREAM BIG, START SMALL in pursuit for a life of FREEDOM, FLEXIBILITY, and FULFILLMENT.
There's so much to talk but I guess I'll end it here. 🙂 But if there's something I can help you with, just shoot me an email to jane@janemaghanoy.com and will see what I can do to help you.
Wait, before I forgot, if you wish to use Payoneer, kindly sign up HERE .