043: How Remote Work Unlocked New Opportunities for Creativity and Growth

What happens when you step out of your comfort zone and embrace new creative roles? Join us as Dani, Ron, Raymund, Charme, Joy, and Michelle share their inspiring tales of transformation while working for an American company. Discover how they transitioned into exciting fields like photography, video production, and podcast planning, all within a supportive environment that values their contributions. The flexibility of remote work has been a game-changer, turning once-draining commutes into quality family time, and weekends into moments of personal enrichment. If you're ready to learn how to reclaim your work-life balance and explore previously unattainable ambitions, this episode is for you.

Explore the journey from apprehension to empowerment as Dani, Ron, Raymund, Charme, Joy, and Michelle navigate the world of remote work. Their stories reveal how investing in the right tools led to doors opening with American companies, achieving financial stability, and even fulfilling dreams like building a house. The narrative offers a candid look at the differences in leadership styles and growth opportunities between local and American companies. Moreover, we examine the importance of building personal connections in a remote setting, highlighting how regular one-on-one meetings can replace the casual chats of an office to create strong, supportive working relationships. This conversation is not just about work—it's about life-changing opportunities and gratitude for new beginnings.

Filmed on location at:
Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Marigondon, Mactan Island
Cebu, Philippines 6015
https://plantationbay.com/english

Current TEK Solutions:
https://www.currentTEKsolutions.com

Current TEK Solutions on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/currentteksolutions

Current TEK Solutions on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/currentTEK

Current TEK Solutions on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@CurrentTEK?sub_confirmation=1

Marc Thomas on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgthomas

Marc Thomas on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thethomastrek

Chapters

• 0:00 Rewards of Working for American Company
• 5:08 Benefits of Remote Work Transition
• 12:14 Advantages of Working for American Company
• 16:25 Cybersecurity Solutions for Business Growth

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

I started photography too, and now I'm doing this podcast with Mark, editing video, shooting this video, setting this up, writing the program flow or the show flow. So it's a new, different journey for me, because I started writing, started doing plannings and scheduling and more on production stuff, and it's amazing because I didn't know that I can do it. I was just watching this from other people before.

Speaker 2: 0:32

So you know I want to get a little bit about, you know, working for an American company. So what is what has been the most rewarding part for working for an American company to date for you?

Speaker 3: 0:50

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 0:50

Dini.

Speaker 1: 0:51

For me. Working for an American company really gives me this sense of pride of the things that I'm capable of doing in terms of output, especially for creatives, because, um, american companies really appreciate art. It's not that, um, philippines doesn't appreciate it but we are not very well compensated when we are hired by filipino companies or filipino companies, because arts here are not very, very supported, unlike American companies, especially Mark. So I've been able to expand my skill and hone new ones. So I was a traditional artist before, went to digital because of my fiance, but then I started photography too, and now I'm doing this podcast with Mark, editing video, shooting this video, setting this up, writing the program flow or the show flow. It's a new, different journey for me, because I started writing, started doing plannings and scheduling and more on production stuff. And it's amazing because I didn't know that I can do it. I was just watching this from other people before, but experiencing firsthand it's really rewarding well, I know that you push yourself outside your comfort zone and taking on a lot of different.

Speaker 2: 2:28

Yeah, right, like going. I remember one of the first, I guess, instances of that, when we were talking about a design or something. You're like, well, maybe we should find someone that can do that thing. And you're like, wait, I'll try it. And you know, you've tried a lot of new things and once again, we're a small business, right? So as a small business, we all kind of maybe get outside of our comfort zone and do some things Maybe we're not experienced at, but we all kind of contribute in different ways just to make it happen. We don't have that luxury of being able to have 100 people and then each one do a very specific thing. So I thank you for being uncomfortable and trying new things and expanding your skill set.

Speaker 1: 3:11

I always seek discomfort, so yeah.

Speaker 4: 3:16

Yeah, ron. So for me. Previously I was working for a Filipino company Actually, I was working with Danny on the same company and I live about 18, 19 miles away. But due to traffic conditions here in the Philippines, that 19 miles would take me around two and a half hours one way to go to work, and also another two and a half hours to go back home and working remotely for an American company. It gives me the freedom to just stay at home and be with my family instead of wasting six, five or six hours of my life just traveling to work and then also like giving me the flexibility to have those five or five or six hours to do something else to make it more productive.

Speaker 4: 4:03

And also, yeah, we cannot argue with the fact that it pays well compared to what I'm doing before. I'm doing a lot of things before, but I'm not well compensated. But yeah, I think it's because Americans would like to what's the term for that? Compensate people decently for the job or the contributions they make for the company, whereas locally it's just based on your job description. It doesn't matter what you're doing, what's in it, and the educational attainment also plays a role, so that if you didn't graduate, as in a specific like degree, but you can do the job. It doesn't really, doesn't really count. So yeah, it will just add to your resume that you can do it, but they'll still not use that as your accomplishments to allow you to be qualified for a role.

Speaker 2: 5:03

So yeah, that's the flexibility that it gives you know, that's one of those things, ron I. I distinctly remember when we first talked and made the first and second time that we talked and uh, was that that commute? And hearing about that, and I was like, wow. You know that first I was amazed at the short distance and how much time it was involved, right, but that five, six hours a day that you were sacrificing for that commute and the dangers involved with that. You talked about an accident on a motorcycle at one point and then you know then the more safety factor by driving a car, but then it takes longer. But, yeah, to get that time back, you're going gonna spend it with your family.

Speaker 4: 5:44

I thought that was definitely something that was a value for you, right, by working remotely yeah, and to add to it, when I was working in that company before, I'm so exhausted every weekdays that my weekends will just be to stay at home and rest for the next week. But, unlike now, I can use even the same day that I work to do other things, and also my weekend is like fully vacant for them to do whatever they want, and I'll be going with them and I make it a practice that every weekend at least once we go out to the mall, eat lunch and then have the kids play around in the, in the indoor playground or the arcade amusement park. So those things I haven't done before just because I didn't have the energy left firm in in me to like do it. Like do it during the weekends, because I'm so drained during weekdays.

Speaker 2: 6:45

Understandable, definitely, and it's good also to get you out of the house at that point. So if you're working at home, you don't have a reason to leave necessarily. So this way it gets you out of the house and get some fresh air.

Speaker 4: 6:56

Right right.

Speaker 2: 6:58

So, raymond, you're in the Dumaguete area. There For you you had a little bit less of a commute, but for you, what's the most rewarding part of working for an American company?

Speaker 5: 7:10

Working for an American company. From a financial standpoint, it's a very great boost to my capability to provide for my family, for the things that we just thought was just a wish, but we were able to afford them, like where we were. Before, for my previous company, I contended with just having a tricycle so I could have a means for the kids to send and pick up from school, but now we were able to afford a car, so that was a good thing. And we were able to renovate our home so we're able to put another floor it even though it's still unfinished, but we've already started. So there's no more direction to go to but to finish it up.

Speaker 5: 8:08

And for the personal and career standpoint, I was able to know myself better. I was able to improve myself, and having an American boss really helps, because Filipino employers sometimes sugarcoat things. They don't meant what they are saying. It's like everything's good, everything's fine, but then they will just fire you or give you some demerits. But for you you've been very vocal, so we know when we're out of line or we're doing good. So you do recognize our efforts and our achievements as well.

Speaker 2: 9:03

Yeah, I know that with you in particular. You were with the company for a very long time that you were working for previously correct 13 years, 13 years, yeah, and that was obviously a risky change for you to make.

Speaker 5: 9:15

It was. If it wasn't for my wife pushing me to do a remote job, then I wouldn't do it because I'm already in my comfort zone. So, doing a remote job, I was thinking that, oh no, I couldn't do it because it's gonna exhaust me, since I'm already doing a full-time job, and then if I'm going to get another one, then what's gonna happen to me with my health and with, yeah, um, total, how would I say it? It's like it's 180 degree from the lifestyle that we had before.

Speaker 2: 9:57

Yeah, very good. Thank you, Charmy.

Speaker 3: 10:02

Yeah. So for me this is a different kind of experience. It's first time working remote setup. So during the pandemic we were almost zero, but then, yeah, it's just an ambition. That working remotely, work from home experience, work from home dream it's like impossible for me and my family because I need more experience. That's what's in my head. I need more experience in sales and marketing, and then social media. So our last money, our last last savings, we invested one laptop. That's the. So I didn't, I didn't, I didn't expect that that would be my ticket to be working.

Speaker 2: 10:58

I mean an American company, mark, wow, so that was your, says you. You invested in a laptop at that point, got online and go to online.

Speaker 2: 11:09

Yeah, wow, I don't think you've ever told me that. I know that we talked about your work, past work experiences, things that you had done previously and and, but I don't think we ever talked and had the conversation with the laptop. That's something I don't remember. So thank you for sharing that. Yeah, no, thank you for sharing that with us, and for you in particular. I know that you have grown and tried a lot of different things as well. Right, you know, when we first brought you on board, we quickly learned that you had a desire to do something different than what we initially had talked about, and so we gave the opportunity to try to explore that and work on those skills. Correct, yes, if I remember correctly.

Speaker 3: 11:53

That's where all this went. Yeah, I'm into learning and developing my skills more, and thank you for letting me Well, thank you.

Speaker 2: 12:01

I really do appreciate you investing your time and energy in learning those new skills and as you continue to grow and evolve, joy.

Speaker 6: 12:14

For me, one of the most rewarding things that I experienced working in an American company is I was able to work during my vacations. So since I am living in different area from my hometown, so from my previous company, I need to file a vacation leave for seven days and they don't pay me for those seven days.

Speaker 2: 12:50

So your time off was not paid. So when you filed for vacation, it was unpaid.

Speaker 6: 12:54

I do have five days, but if you already use those five days, so if you file a div, they doesn't pay for me. So, unlike working in an American company, you can just bring your. As long as you have a laptop and also an internet connection so you can work, you, you will have a pay. So yeah, that's one. And also for flexibility, as on time way back then you need to prepare like two hours before you start working hours, like, yeah, you need to prepare for yourself and also um one hour for the travel time, since you know philippines is known for traffic.

Speaker 6: 13:41

Yeah, yeah, yeah, the commute yes, so, um, and lastly, is the most rewarding that happened to me, um working with an american company for the past two years. So, yeah, I was. It's really I can't imagine that I can save a lot and I was able to build my house. So it's not yet finished, but yeah, we'll get in there.

Speaker 4: 14:09

So yeah.

Speaker 6: 14:10

I'm just so thankful and I can't imagine that I will be having my own house.

Speaker 2: 14:16

I know that was pretty special to hear you go through that process. I know you shared a little bit with me here and there and I know you kept it quiet for a little bit, and then you kind of shared a little bit. And then you know you were looking around.

Speaker 2: 14:27

I think you were looking at like auction type scenarios with buying houses and then, yeah, when you were able to buy your house and then renovate and I know you're still doing some of those renovations but to add on and redo it, and I know it's been exciting to watch the progress and I can't wait to see the progress yeah, amazing last day is working with an American company is it's quite different from working in a local company, especially from the like, for example, for Marcus the boss.

Speaker 6: 15:03

He is very approachable to talk with. I think when I was working in a local company, I only talk to my boss like all four works. It's nothing personal. So, yeah, it's really an advantage that we do have a one-on-one meeting during month D so we can see what insights so with your mark and issues and yeah, well.

Speaker 2: 15:35

I appreciate that that time and that you're willing to share your personal life with me as well. You know it being remote um, we don't get the benefit of having you know holiday conversations, water cooling, cooler conversations, break room conversations you know, hey, what's going on. You know this type of things and you know spending that time one-on-one every month and just kind of talking about you and what's going on, and I know I sometimes maybe overshare a little bit in my own life, but you know just, you know. So you get to know me and I get to know you and I really value that time and I know that I always look forward to that and I want to make sure we always try to continue that. And this month, obviously, we're doing our one-on-ones in person, right, so we're getting time and spending a day together and that's our one-on-one time and I look forward to that.

Speaker 2: 16:25

Hi, I'm Mark Thomas, founder and CEO of Current Tech Solutions and CyberGuardians. We know business owners like you want to focus on growing your company, not worrying about IT problems or security threats. That's where we come in. Our team uses AI to protect your business from cyber risks and keep everything running smoothly. If you're ready for peace of mind and a stronger future reach out to us today. Let's secure and elevate your business together.