A Picture-Perfect Adventure

Hey friends!

My time in the Philippines has come to a close for now and I am so grateful for the wealth of experiences I got to have during my time there. One of those experiences happened to be an AirBnB experience. Here's a little travel hack for my fellow entrepreneurs who are juggling a packed schedule but still crave some quality content: consider booking a photographer through AirBnB experiences!

Personally, I've been itching to update my brand photos for a while now (fun fact: photos of yourself are gold for LinkedIn!), and what better opportunity than during my trip to the Philippines? With a suitcase full of fabulous outfits and a thirst for adventure, it just made sense.

My photographer, Jean was an absolute gem. Not only did she capture stunning shots, but she also went above and beyond by recommending hair and makeup artists. We decided to explore BGC (Bonifacio Global City), a vibrant hub that feels like a slice of New York City right here in the Philippines. The street art there is mind-blowing, and we had a blast discovering hidden gems around every corner.

What I loved the most is that I was truly just being myself during the shoot. I tried to strike a few serious poses at first, but let's be real—serious isn't really my vibe! Jean and I quickly pivoted to a more playful approach, and the results speak for themselves. I'm absolutely thrilled with how the photos turned out.

Staying true to myself has been the cornerstone of my business journey. I've learned that authenticity is magnetic, and I make it my mission to be 100% Carissa, all the time. And you know what? It's paid off. My clients appreciate all the sides of me, and I'm here to give them permission to embrace their true selves too. Cheers to being unapologetically ourselves, both in front of the camera and in our businesses! ??

In solidarity,

Carissa

CEO & Founder of CONSCIOUSXCHANGE

Upcoming Events & Programs

Learn about and join our newest offers, workshops, networking opportunities, and more

Tired of chasing leads but dreaming of consistent client connections? I hear you! That's why I'm hosting a free 4-day challenge called, Level Up With LinkedIn.

I’ve personally used LinkedIn to reach my first $100k, grow my audience to 12,000+ engaged followers, and scale my business to multi-six figures and I want YOU to do the same!

This challenge will be about more than just learning.

It will be about action, transformation, and unleashing the full potential of LinkedIn—the only platform where BIPOC's voice truly stands out!

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BUILT BY BIPOC

Inspirational interviews and conversations with BIPOC Entrepreneurs

Are you ready for our first interview of the year? This Wednesday, February 21st join me for a BUILT BY BIPOC: Path Of The Pioneer session with the “Feel Good Financial Therapist,” Aja Evans, LMHC .

"Armed with eternal optimism and a passion for helping others, Aja has been in the mental health industry for over a decade. After going through her own financial awakening, Aja made financial therapy a pillar in her work."

Tune in to learn more about Aja’s work and how she got to where she is today as a therapist, coach, author, and speaker. And don’t forget to invite a friend!

Community Highlights

A space to share what our powerful ecosystem of BIPOC entrepreneurs are working on

Not a fan of social media? I totally get it, and guess what? My client Gabbi Cerezo, CFP?, AFC? felt the same way. Yet we were both able to leverage LinkedIn to our advantage and effortlessly draw in clients using this powerful platform.

Take a quick peek at this clip to hear Gabbi's amazing results firsthand!

About The First, The Only, The Other newsletter: The First, The Only, The Other newsletter is a weekly LinkedIn newsletter designed to help BIPOC entrepreneurs build their businesses and design their liberatory futures. If you found this newsletter to be helpful, please share it with others you feel would find value in it.

There's always a lot going on at CONSCIOUSXCHANGE so come say hi! To make sure you don't miss anything, join the CONSCIOUSXCHANGE email list here for more programs, events, and tips on product development, marketing, and sales.

This newsletter is curated by Carissa Begonia, a 2nd generation Filipina American daughter of immigrants and the first and only in her family to run her own business. Carissa is the founder of CONSCIOUSXCHANGE, a business coach for BIPOC entrepreneurs, a LinkedIn strategist and Top Voice, a certified Emotional Intelligence (EQ) coach, and a keynote speaker with a focus on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) in business and entrepreneurship. Her work has been featured in TIME Magazine and she has spoken at companies, institutions, and non-profits including Eventbrite, Calendly, Johns Hopkins, KPMG, and the YMCA.

Carissa's equity work is centered around revolutionizing how we work and creating an alternative to toxic workplaces that don't support those of racialized and marginalized identities by making entrepreneurship accessible and sustainable for BIPOC. Her vision is to create an ecosystem of BIPOC entrepreneurs who are pursuing time, location, financial, and occupational freedom for themselves, their families, and their communities. If you’re looking for coaching on how to build your business to 6-figures and beyond, visit the CONSCIOUSXCHANGE website to learn more about our individual and group services or book a call to discuss your specific needs.