This Businesswoman Turned Her Setbacks to Being A Multi-awarded Assistant Unit Manager

During the pandemic, the Philippines had one of the world’s longest COVID-19 lockdowns as reported by Time Magazine. This is just one of the challenges brought on by the pandemic, making it difficult for Filipinos to get by. Due to these constraints, many were forced to transition to a remote work setup and some were even laid off. In hopes of providing enough food for their families’ tables, people started applying for work-from-home jobs and others started putting up their own businesses.

For Vina Amor Venzon, it was both. As a third-year college student with dogs to feed and no allowance, she started her early career journey. From ESL teaching, customer service, and starting her own clothing business, Vina is set to make income amidst the pandemic. When her business started to decline, she knew she had to look for a more stable job that could provide for her needs.?

Meet Vina

While studying for her degree in Education, Vina is also a part-time fur mom to her dogs. Realizing the demand of taking care of them, she started working as an ESL Tutor alongside her studies. Due to the demands of her work with small pay, she decided to change careers and work as a Customer Support Representative. While it did help her pay her bills, she struggled with having little to no sleep and dealing with toxicity from the working environment.

At the same time, Vina is also juggling her studies and job with a clothing business. To earn extra income, she managed the business for five months before realizing that it was declining. “Imbes na nageearn ako, naglalabas pa ako ng pera. So, doon ko narealize ‘ay nababankrupt ako’,” she shared.

Since then, Vina started her hunt for a job that would satisfy her needs: a work-from-home part-time job with a healthy working environment and decent pay. It wasn’t long until she found it.

Finding Her Hidden Talent with GESLIA Pru Life UK

When Vina decided to look for a new job, she wasn’t thinking about letting go of her current job at BPO. What she wanted was a part-time job that would earn her some extra income. “Most of them [other job platforms], they do not offer part-time jobs. Sobrang konti lang. What I did back then is nag-Google search na lang ako. Tapos, ‘part-time job’, ‘remote’, or ‘work-from-home setup,” she narrated.?

There, she found Kalibrr. Desperate to find a job, she applied for every work-from-home, part-time job she saw. She was confident that she could learn whatever skills the job needed her to have. “Nabigla ako kasi sobrang bilis. I think the day mismo na nag-apply ako or kinabukasan, doon nagrespond ‘yung recruiter ko,” she added.

Since she applied to a lot of jobs, she got confused when a recruiter finally called her. Confusing it with another company, Vina excitedly accepted the invitation for an interview. After realizing that the company is Golden Empire Summit Life Insurance Agency (GESLIA) Pru Life UK, she decided to just go with it.?

“Back then, I [really had] no interest in sales at all and also in insurance. I didn’t really care about insurance. I thought it was a scam or pag namatay ka lang,” she shared. As a graduate of Education degree, a career in finance is too big of a leap for her. However, because of her need for an extra income, she started from scratch.

Due to her lack of interest in the field, Vina was not very enthusiastic about attending meetings and training. Because there aren’t a lot of employees from Pampanga, she started feeling alone because the company’s main office is in Makati City. “Noong January, February, March, wala akong clients. Wala pa akong nagiging clients at the time. So, parang napanghihinaan na ako. Kasi kapag nagaattend ako ng meetings, palaging may awards ‘yung mga kasama ko. Tapos sabi ko, ‘shocks, ako kaya kailan?’,” she narrated how she questioned her ability back then.?

An opportunity came when her brother introduced her to a potential client. After successfully acquiring this client, she finally had the courage to learn and attend training. From then on, she had clients every month due to her persistence in looking for clients. With the support of her team, she made it possible.?

Now, she’s been working for GESLIA Pru Life UK as an Assistant Unit Manager who won multiple awards such as Consistent Top Agent of the Team 2023, National Achievers Club Qualifier 2023, and Rookie Achiever - Glow with the Stars Qualifier 2023.

For Vina, an aspiring financial advisor must have four things:?

• Ability to effectively communicate with the clients;?
• Knowledge that can be acquired through training and experience;?
• Willingness to give them your time; and?
• Diligence in attending training and meetings to develop your skills further.

“Be persistent in everything. Do your best in everything. What stops you [from doing] your best? Nandyan ka na eh. If your best is not good enough, edi try harder,” Vina stated when asked about her advice to people who want to be a financial advisor or part of GESLIA Pru Life UK.

Vina’s story of finding the job that brought out the best version of herself through Kalibrr is one of many narratives of determination, perseverance, and success. She proved that it is not too late to change career paths if that’s where you can find your hidden talent and the growth you’ve always wanted.?

[READ: How This Unit Manager Used To Juggle Three Jobs In Different Industries]

PRU LIFE UK is part of Prudential PLC one of the world's oldest, largest and strongest financial and insurance company. Recognized by the Department of Finance - Insurance Commission, PRU LIFE UK is the pioneer of the unit-linked insurance in the Philippines (2002).

Golden Empire Summit Life Insurance Agency under Alexandrite 2 district is the top and leading group in PRU LIFE UK nationwide and is the home of achievers. We welcome experienced and young professionals coming from various industries. We provide the best trainings and seminars to equip our financial consultants with the best knowledge to guide them through a successful career.