Since I was younger, I believed the “right” job was one that looked stable.
I spent over seven years in the corporate world. I worked for a large petroleum company, where I built most of my experience in HR and administration. Later, after studying MBA units, I moved into a role at a major bank and worked in finance.
From the outside, everything made sense. I had a clear career path, structure, and stability. The benefits were good. I enjoyed what I was doing.
But behind the scenes, life felt heavy.
I was constantly juggling work, childcare, and family responsibilities. Most days felt like I was barely holding everything together.
When my eldest son was two, childcare became our biggest challenge. Over two years, we went through several helpers. Each time one left, it meant more stress and another round of adjustments.
At the same time, my mom was already partially disabled and needed more care. I felt torn and exhausted all the time. I wanted to be present for my child, support my mom, and still be able to contribute financially.
That was when I started thinking seriously about working from home. Not for flexibility alone. But for peace of mind, my family, and myself.
Breaking Into Freelancing: My First Steps
My background was in HR, admin, and finance. On paper, I had experience. But freelancing felt like a completely different world.
I started researching. I joined several Facebook freelancing groups. I signed up on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, and OnlineJobs.ph. I read posts from freelancers who had already made it work.
One of the hardest parts at the beginning was building a competitive profile. There were already many freelancers when I started in 2017. I didn’t know how to stand out.
So I leaned into what I already knew about hiring and simplified everything.
I trimmed my resume down to one page. I kept only relevant experience. I rewrote my profile many times. I built my Upwork profile carefully and started sending proposals.
I had to be strategic. Upwork credits were no longer unlimited, so every application mattered. I also had to stay competitive with my rates.
I remember starting as a Recruitment Virtual Assistant at $4 per hour with a US-based skincare company. It wasn’t ideal, but I knew it was a starting point.
Over time, that role grew. I became a Recruitment Specialist and handled end-to-end hiring and supported multiple positions.
These included:
- Amazon Inventory and Logistics Manager
- Email Customer Support Representative
- Executive Virtual Assistant
- Graphic Designer
- Social Media Manager
I conducted background checks, monitored attendance, and designed simple graphics for job postings.
I also worked with a Singaporean company hiring warehouse managers, QC inspectors, delivery staff, storemen, and sales operations executives. I supported an Australian energy and spiritual coach by hiring an Executive Assistant.
In between, I took on non-HR roles too: blog commenting, ad posting, and project management for a UK-based holiday rental.
All of this helped me build my profile. I needed reviews, recommendations, and proof that I could deliver.
How I Found Remote Work with IreneChan.co
As a mother, I was part of several motherhood Facebook groups. One day, I came across a post by Irene Chan in the Mamacademy group. She was looking for a Recruitment Assistant.
It felt timely.
Mamacademy was a community built to support mothers. What stood out was how straightforward and transparent the job post was. The rate and expectations were clearly stated.
We had a quick interview. She needed help hiring people for her clients. This was something I knew I could handle and felt confident doing. To keep it simple, I was hired.
At that time, the work focused on one-time hires.
After a few months, I had to pause work due to a major life change. We were preparing to move to another country. Once we settled, I reached out to Irene again, and I was more than happy to work with her again.
She shared her plans. She wanted to continue offering hiring services and eventually build her own agency in a few months.
That was the beginning of IreneChan.co.
Growing Into My Role
Working with Irene helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect.
My corporate experience was mostly traditional HR. Startups were new to me. Irene helped me understand how HR works in fast-moving, early-stage companies.
There was less structure, but more ownership. We worked together to build our system, workflow, and documentation.
What I loved about working with Irene was that she’s not a micromanager. She puts trust and value in what I do.
Over time, my role evolved.
I started with end-to-end hiring. Then I began facing clients directly. I managed talents, including leave tracking and bonuses. I supported internal processes as the team grew.
Eventually, I started writing blog articles for the website and designing courses through Coassemble.
Now, I work as an HR Manager. I help clients find talents who truly fit their needs. Not just on paper, but in how they work and communicate.
Looking Ahead
I see myself continuing to work remotely for a long time.
Remote work has helped me grow professionally and personally. It allows me to keep learning, build new skills, and stay present for my family. It supports my long-term goal of homeschooling my children while still earning and contributing to our household.
Working remotely also gave me the space to finish my postgraduate studies. I don’t think I could have done that without the flexibility freelancing gave me.
At the same time, I’ve recently taken on a part-time, in-person role where I live now. It helps us build stability as we settle into life here. I see it as a complement to remote work, not a replacement.
This season is temporary.
I’ve always been open with Irene about my goal. Full-time freelancing is what I want for as long as I homeschool my children, which is likely the next ten years. What I appreciate most is that she supports this goal and makes space for it.
For me, the future of work isn’t about choosing one path forever. It’s about building a setup that supports both life and career, in different seasons.
Final Thoughts
Freelancing isn’t always easy. There are moments of doubt, trial and error, and starting over. But it can open doors you never expected.
Finding IreneChan.co gave me direction, growth, and a place where my experience mattered. Most importantly, it gave me a career that fits my life.
If you are a freelancer trying to find your footing, or a parent looking for a different way to work, I hope this story reminds you that it’s possible.
It takes time. It takes patience. But the right role, and the right people, make all the difference.
