A Little About Me and My Freelancing Journey
Hi there! I’m Kaila, and I’d love to share a bit about my freelancing journey with you.
Back in early 2011, I decided to leave my job as an office worker in the BPO industry here in the Philippines. Honestly, I had no clue what I wanted to do next. Everything felt so uncertain, and I wasn’t sure which direction my career would take.
I started exploring online job opportunities and signed up on freelancing platforms like Upwork (back when it was still called oDesk), Freelancer.com, and a few others I can’t even remember now. But landing a client? That was a whole different story—I didn’t get a single one. Still, I didn’t give up. I kept searching for other options until I found a work-from-home job with a local BPO company. At first, it was a great experience, but after a few months, they changed the terms, and it just wasn’t worth it anymore. So, I resigned.
I went back to Upwork, determined to make it work this time. But I was still a beginner—I only knew basic data entry and research, which were highly competitive fields. Without any reviews or feedback on my profile, it felt like an uphill battle.
Then in April 2012, something amazing happened—I landed my very first client on Upwork! I can’t even describe how excited I was. Of course, freelancing had its challenges. After finishing a project, I often had to start the search for clients all over again. Sometimes I went weeks or even months without any work. Thankfully, I eventually found a long-term client, and that gave me some stability. While working with him, I still took on short-term and project-based gigs. But sadly, after some time, he had to let me go due to budget constraints. It was tough, and for a moment, I started to doubt if freelancing was really for me.
By 2013, I decided to enroll in college again—this time taking up Industrial Engineering. Balancing school and work wasn’t easy, but I pushed through. Then something unexpected happened: I started getting more clients—so many, in fact, that I couldn’t manage my studies anymore. After two years (four semesters), I had to make a choice: stick with school or focus on freelancing. Since freelancing was opening doors for me, I chose to fully dedicate my time to it. It turned out to be the best decision. I got to spend more time with my family, travel more often, and say goodbye to exams and school deadlines.
Over the years, I didn’t just stick with what I already knew. I kept learning. From basic data entry and research, I taught myself SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and online marketing. That’s when things really took off. Suddenly, instead of me chasing after clients, they started reaching out to me!
But my learning didn’t stop there. One of my clients asked me to design a website with some coding. I had zero experience, but I said yes anyway. Thanks to Google (and a lot of late nights), I was able to deliver a website my client loved. That project sparked something in me, and I realized that web design and development was something I truly enjoyed. Fast forward to today, I’ve built so many websites that I’ve lost count—and I love every moment of it.
Looking back, my freelancing journey wasn’t always smooth, but it was so worth it. From struggling to find my first client to becoming in-demand and building lasting relationships with happy clients, I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned along the way. Freelancing has given me the freedom to grow, support my family, and live a life I love.
What I’m Up To When I’m Not Working
Like most people, I need a break from work every now and then. When I’m not at my desk, you’ll often find me hiking or camping with my son—it’s one of our favorite ways to bond.
If we’re not in the mountains, we’re probably traveling and exploring new places. Oh, and one of my little hobbies? I collect banknotes from every country we visit—it’s like bringing home a piece of each adventure!
This is one of the things I absolutely love about freelancing. It gives me the freedom to enjoy life without stressing about absences or rigid work schedules. I manage my own time, so I can soak in these moments without compromising my responsibilities.
But don’t worry! Before I ever take a break, I make sure all my tasks are completed. I always deliver work on or before the deadline—no exceptions. And honestly, even when we’re traveling, I still find time to work because I truly enjoy what I do.
So, let’s do this! I’m ready to take on more projects, and I’ll make sure you’re 100% satisfied with the results.
Let's Connect!
Thanks so much for your interest in working with me! If you have any questions or would like to chat about a project, feel free to email me directly. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
