Joseph Amparado Monteroyo is an odd guy; he is an ambivert – his preferred label – who avoids striking up discussions with strangers and gives off the appearance that he is always dead serious. But beneath that initial facade hides a lively and humorous individual who can light up a room with his jokes and laughter. In his spare time, he would tinker with electronics, showcasing his talent for fixing things, a passion that resonates through every aspect of his life.
Like the gadgets he revitalized, Joseph’s career was given new life when he discovered his real passion as a Virtual Assistant Leader (VAL) in the field of graphic design. His life took a fascinating turn when a colleague introduced him to the world of freelancing. It was a moment of awakening, a chance to explore new horizons and carve a different path for his career. Until this discovery, he had been a devoted nurse working in the medical-surgical ward, where the challenges and stresses of the job were always front and center. Although the prospect of making the shift from hospital nurse to freelancer in the digital realm was scary, he welcomed the challenge. The call for change grew too loud to ignore.
Joseph joined Ripple VAs with a will to succeed and a dream in his heart. On April 15, he began his quest and dove headfirst into freelancing. It was the first day of a new era in his life, one in which he would leave behind the stethoscope and medical charts and trade his nursing tools for graphic design magic.
What made his journey all the more remarkable was his passion for the work he did. Joseph found immense joy in designing and creating graphics. It was a medium through which he could let his creativity run free, crafting visually captivating content for his clients. However, it was not all roses and sunshine; he ran into several snags along the way, particularly in dealing with clients. A freelancer’s interactions with clients can be fraught, but Joseph was prepared for the challenges he would face.
Slowly but surely, Joseph’s life has begun to change for the better. What he had prayed for had come true, and he was at peace. He had the luxury of time, as well as financial security, a fulfilling career, and a sense of purpose. The opportunity to spend more quality time with his loved ones, develop closer friendships, and, most importantly, grow closer to God. In many ways, he was living the dream life he had always imagined for himself.
His stint as a VAL at Ripple VAs has been extremely educational. Career-wise, Joseph was influenced by his mentors and role models. Their guidance had been important in his development, both professionally and personally. With this, Joseph planned to advance his career to Satellite Managing Director (SMD) so that he could help train the next crop of VALs. If fate had it, he would be happy to continue his service in the Ripple business and ministry for a long time.
To become a VAL, Joseph said one must take on a leadership mindset and show others the way to success. Reflecting on himself, Joseph admitted that it was not enough to have a knack for graphics; it was about guiding a team and ensuring they delivered their best.
Joseph’s family was the driving force behind his professional ethic. They inspired him to keep pushing forward for a better life. In the short term, he aspired to renovate his small house, acquire a car, and provide much-needed assistance to his family, especially his parents. He aimed for a monthly income of at least Php50,000, and he was grateful for the blessings that exceeded his expectations. In the long term, he planned to invest in properties and establish a small charity to help others.
Finally, Joseph thought about his years’ worth of learning as it came to a close. His experience taught him that making snap judgments was usually a bad idea. The key to staying calm and making sound decisions was to respond with some forethought. This was an insight he could take with him, a reminder that each setback held a silver lining.