Meet Jewel: Building a Career Through Faith, Family, and Continuous Learning

When you ask Jewel how she became a freelancer, she doesn’t start by talking about work. She starts by talking about family.

Her freelancing journey began when she found out she was pregnant with her second son. At the time, she was working as an Accounts Payable Specialist at Xerox in Manila, but she made the decision to leave her job and become a stay-at-home mom.

Working from home looked very different back then. Her first remote job was teaching English to Japanese students. Later, a family member introduced her to the world of virtual assistants and gave her the opportunity to work with an Australian real estate company.

“She was managing VAs for an Australian real estate company and gave me my first opportunities. I’m truly grateful for that chance, and it inspired me to pay it forward by helping others grow too.”

That first opportunity set her on a path that eventually led her to FreeUp, where she now serves as the Accounting Team Lead. After seven years with the company, she continues to support both freelancers and clients while helping lead the accounting team.

When asked what first attracted her to freelancing, her answer comes down to one word: freedom.

“Being able to work from anywhere was a huge factor for me, especially after experiencing the long commute and heavy traffic in Manila. Freelancing gave me back the time I used to spend just traveling.”

For Jewel, that flexibility isn’t about working less. It’s about having more control over where she spends her time. Whether she’s traveling, working from home, or enjoying time with her family, freelancing has given her options that a traditional office job couldn’t.

Learning Never Stops

Throughout her career, one thing has remained constant: a willingness to learn.

As new projects came her way, she challenged herself to develop skills she never imagined she’d have.

“One of my proudest accomplishments was learning how to build a website from scratch. Many of my projects required me to create websites and blog pages, which pushed me to explore different platforms and skills. Today, I even have my own website — it’s still improving, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come.”

That experience reinforced one of the biggest lessons she’s learned as a freelancer.

“Freelancing is not always easy. Clients and opportunities can change, so continuous learning is important. You have to keep improving your skills, especially in a world where technology and AI are constantly evolving.”

It’s a mindset that’s helped her adapt through every stage of her career.

Growing Through Challenges

Like most freelancers, Jewel has experienced moments when everything changed unexpectedly.

One situation, in particular, stands out.

“Things shifted abruptly, and I had to take on greater responsibilities in a very short amount of time. It was overwhelming, but I chose to see it as an opportunity to grow rather than something to fear.”

Instead of backing away from the challenge, she embraced it.

“That experience pushed me outside my comfort zone, helped me develop new skills, and gave me the confidence to take on bigger challenges. It became one of the most valuable learning experiences in my career.”

Today, that experience serves as a reminder that growth often comes from the moments that feel the most uncomfortable.

Looking Ahead

After seven years with FreeUp, Jewel is still excited about what’s next.

“I want to continue growing with FreeUp. After being here for 7 years, I want to see how we continue helping thousands of freelancers build better careers while also growing myself along the way.”

She’s equally optimistic about the future of freelancing.

“I’m excited about how technology continues to create new opportunities. I believe the future belongs to people who are willing to adapt, learn, and keep growing.”

Beyond the Screen

When the workday ends, Jewel enjoys spending time with her kids, baking, playing guitar, singing, watching movies, and occasionally doing nothing at all.

Baking is more than a hobby. It’s something she hopes to turn into a reality someday.

“I’ve always dreamed of having my own bakeshop someday, creating cookies, brownies, muffins, and bread that people can enjoy.”

She also hopes to share something even more personal with the world.

“I want to have a platform where I can share words of wisdom, especially God’s word. I am in the middle of drafting my personal testimony about God, and someday, I want to share it with people. I want to write a book about wisdom. Publish a physical book, not just an e-book.”

It’s another example of her desire to keep learning while helping others along the way.

Advice for New Freelancers

When asked what advice she would give someone just starting their freelancing journey, Jewel focused on patience, humility, and perseverance.

“Start learning, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to begin small. Take that one step forward. Freelancing takes time, and every skill you build brings you closer to better opportunities. Stay humble and keep your feet on the ground, no matter how successful you become. Most importantly, pray to God for wisdom, guidance, and strength. There will be challenges along the way, but faith, perseverance, and a willingness to keep learning will take you far.”

The best advice she’s ever received is just as simple.

“Be kind to everyone every day. You never know what someone is going through.”

After talking with Jewel, it’s easy to see those words reflected throughout her own journey. From taking a chance on her first remote job to growing into a leadership role at FreeUp, she has continued to learn, embrace new opportunities, and encourage others along the way.