Mildred C.
Mildred grew up in a close-knit family that, despite financial hardships, prioritized education and supported one another unconditionally. Her journey has been marked by a succession of obstacles—shifting from a teaching career to assisting in her sister’s struggling travel and tours business, navigating the challenges of single motherhood after the early loss of her husband, and adapting to the pandemic’s impact to a successful career in real estate—each transformed into opportunities for growth. Through resilience and determination, she has built a successful career, balanced her responsibilities as a mother of five, and continues to strive for a better future for her family.
Mildred's journey began in a modest household in Sampaloc, Manila. Growing up, her family faced numerous financial challenges, but they were always close-knit and supportive of each other. Her father worked as an administrative aide at the Department of Education, while her mother sold books related to Bible stories and health. Despite the hardships, her parents prioritized education, instilling in Mildred and her sister the importance of learning and perseverance.
"We grew up in a rented house," Mildred recalls. "It was small, and we had to make do with what we had. But my parents always made sure we had what we needed for school. They would often say, 'We'll eat small amounts of food so we can buy your books' or 'We need to save for your fare tomorrow.' They sacrificed a lot for our education." In 2007, her sister bought a house for their family after graduating from college and landing a job.
Mildred's dedication to her studies led her to pursue a Bachelor of Secondary Education majoring in Mathematics. Although her initial dream was to become an accountant, circumstances led her to choose a teaching career. "My father was at DepEd, and I thought, why not become a teacher? I had no choice since the accounting course I wanted was no longer available."
Despite facing challenges, Mildred embraced her teaching career with passion. However, her nine-year journey took a turn when her sister started a travel and tour business in 2013 and needed her help with services. She decided to step away from teaching to be a travel consultant, helping with her sister’s business, driven by a sense of duty and gratitude. "I felt indebted to my sister. She supported me through my board exams and pushed me to succeed. When she needed help with her business, I couldn't say no. We only have each other, and I wanted to give back."
Life threw another curveball when Mildred's first husband passed away in 2014, leaving her a widow at 26. "Having a family and children is already very challenging, but it was even harder when my husband suddenly passed away. It was incredibly difficult; I didn't know how to start over. Should I go back home or stop working? What about my children? I was in a daze during that time, so I turned to prayers. I prayed and prayed, asking, 'Lord, help me, how do I do this?' I had so many questions and whys because suddenly, I was alone. My children were still young and close in age, so what was I supposed to do?"
The loss was a heavy blow, making each day a struggle as she juggled the responsibilities of single motherhood while managing her grief. Despite the overwhelming challenges, her ability to adapt and her flexible mindset helped her seize new opportunities. Having already navigated career changes before, she embraced new paths with perseverance, finding ways to support her family and build a future despite the hardships.
So, Mildred also ventured into online selling on the side of working for her sister. "It all started because I have four kids and I had to keep buying them shoes. I thought, why not sell shoes myself? My kids would get free shoes, and I’d make some money too. That's how it all began.”
In 2020, the pandemic brought significant changes to Mildred's life. The travel and tour business took a hit, prompting her to explore new opportunities. She focused on her online selling and also started her venture into Shopee and TikTok live selling.
Mildred’s life took a positive turn when she reconnected with Mike, a former college friend. "We reconnected just as friends at first. During the pandemic, he helped with my online selling business as a rider. Over time, our friendship blossomed into something more, and we decided to build a life together." They now have a baby, adding joy to their blended family.
Mildred's entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop there. She decided to pursue a career in real estate in 2021, seeing it as a way to secure her family's financial future while staying close to home. "Being a real estate agent allows me to be with my children. I can manage my time and still be there for them, unlike a traditional job where I'd be away for hours."
Transitioning to real estate was not without its challenges. Mildred faced rejections and setbacks, but her positive mindset kept her going. "I'm not a negative person. If a client says no, I think, 'Okay, maybe next time.' I always believe that every rejection is an opportunity for something better. I prepare thoroughly, research the properties I sell, and ensure I'm ready to answer any questions."
Mildred's perseverance paid off when she made her first sale. "My first sale was in General Trias, to a high school classmate. It was a significant milestone, and from there, I set a goal to make at least one sale per month." Her hard work and dedication earned her several awards, reinforcing her belief in the power of determination and resilience.
Now a mother of five, Mildred's life is a balancing act between her professional and personal responsibilities. Her four children are in various stages of their education, while her youngest is just beginning his journey. "My children help with the online selling business. They print waybills, pack items, and organize products. It's a family effort, and I'm grateful for their support."
"My goal is to ensure my children have everything they need for their education and future. I want to give them the opportunities I didn't have growing up."
In the end, Mildred continues to pursue her real estate career with passion, driven by the desire to provide a better life for her family.
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