Online community aims to help moms achieve financial independence through freelancing

Gone are the days when moms are expected to just stay home to manage the household. Recognizing their own potential for so much more outside of domestic concerns, women have established themselves in the workforce whether as employees in corporate offices, or more and more lately, as freelancers.

Freelancing has long been an option for many women, including those seeking to leave their corporate jobs to be able to spend more time with their families, or stay-at-home moms who want to contribute to the family’s income.

However, for many who are new to this kind of employment, freelancing may seem quite daunting.

Fortunately, resources are available to them in the form of Richie Rebamuntan and the online community she founded #WEdothetalk.

The entrepreneur behind I Connect Marketing & Business Services has for years been recruiting and training women to do work as virtual staff for clients, including those based abroad. Seeing the potential to help more women achieve success similar to her own, and with the support and encouragement of her former students who are now the group’s pioneers, she established the #WEdothetalk online community.

Recently, the #WEdothetalk website – wedothetalk.com – went live, giving potential clients comprised of SMEs in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada a direct line to her pool of competent virtual staff, all of whom are members of her online community.

Richie’s goal is for #WEdothetalk to help moms achieve financial independence through three milestones:

One: Through a home-based job

Richie believes that a mom does not have to work far from home and away from her family. With a computer, a stable internet access and the skills she can develop through the resources available at the #WEdothetalk online community, she can successfully land a job and earn a living, while still being there for her family.

To this end, Richie conducts free webinars for her community members on online freelancing every Wednesday and Friday via Facebook Live. Dubbed An Hour with Richie, it offers viewers valuable know-how in navigating the freelancing world, from crafting a resume, submitting proposals at Upwork, to scouting for home-based jobs.

Two: Through a home-based business

While working on a home-based job can be financially rewarding, having an established home-based business can be even more so, as it can help generate passive income. This can fund the little luxuries to treat the family or form part of the family’s savings for a rainy day.

Aside from her company, Richie also packages and distributes her own brand of pure wild honey – Rich’s Pure Raw Honey from the Wild – and all-natural bath soaps – Lady’s Youthful Secrets.

She also exposes her community members to various business opportunities such as direct selling and cottage industries that can be established and operated in the home.

Three: Through financial literacy

Earning and making a living through freelancing or having a home-based business can be exhilarating for many moms. However, to sustain this lifestyle, moms must also learn the value of money, and how to strategically invest in their business and in themselves.

Integral to these milestones is the value of community. It is with the support and guidance of fellow women freelancers and entrepreneurs that moms can ably navigate the freelancing arena and succeed in their ventures.

The launch of the #WEdothetalk website was held at the Rizal Art House, supported by representatives of Digital Mom Academy, Social Media WAHM, and Digital Career Advocates of the Philippines. The event was sponsored by AXA Philippines, Skin Magical, Unilever Network Philippines, doTerra, Rizal Art House and Delicacita. Aside from myself, the event was also covered by Marj Liwag of LittleMsPrinter.com.

More information and resources are available for budding freelancers at the #Wedothetalk online community. To join, visit facebook.com/wedothetalk.

Many thanks to Richie for inviting me to the launch and for welcoming me into the community.

Watch this space for more insights gained during the event and from the group.