06/13/2026
5 mistakes I made when I started my entrepreneurial journey in the financial industry.
I used to think that if I just worked harder, everything would eventually work out. Looking back, I was wrong.
1. I chased every opportunity.
I thought more opportunities meant more income.
What it actually did was divide my attention and slow my progress. Things only started to change when I committed to one path and got really good at it.
2. I made money and spent it just as fast.
Every raise became an excuse to upgrade my lifestyle. Trips. Shopping. Dining out.
I was earning more, but I wasn't building anything for my future.
3. I never protected my income.
As a nurse, I assumed my paycheck would always be there. I never stopped to ask myself:
"What if I got sick? What if I got injured? What if I couldn't work?"
I had no disability coverage and no backup plan.
4. I was afraid to talk about money.
Like many Filipinos, I grew up believing money was a private topic. So I stayed quiet. But the questions I was afraid to ask were exactly the questions I needed answers to.
5. I thought hard work was enough.
Hard work matters.
But it's not enough on its own.
Nobody taught me about cash flow, investing, risk management, or how wealth is built over time.
I had a huge gap in financial education, and it cost me years of missed opportunities.
Those mistakes taught me lessons that changed how I manage money, build businesses, make decisions, and help families today.
If there's one thing I've learned, it's this:
Making money is important. But learning how to manage it, protect it, and grow it is what makes the biggest difference.
