In episode 43 of the “Good to Live Podcast”, host Kinski Reyes interviews digital marketers Ann Peñaredondo and Nins Mendoza, co-founders of Media Rocketz, about joy, gratitude, balance, and building a digital marketing agency from freelancing.
They share how Anns’s health scare and Nins’ motherhood prompted their transitions from government and BPO careers, respectively, into freelancing, then coaching through Success Squad (a mentoring program for freelancers), and serving Filipino entrepreneurs via Media Rocketz. The conversation covers counterbalancing work and rest, systems and accountability with a team, client screening and alignment with values, handling complaints and negative feedback, combining organic and paid marketing, and the importance of knowing oneself. They emphasize showing up, continuous learning, asking for help, and executing with integrity while supporting local businesses.
Finding Joy and Balance
The episode kicks off with Ann and Nins discussing the essence of joy in their lives. According to Ann, acknowledging achievements without letting them inflate the ego is crucial. The joy, she notes, is ever-present if one knows oneself well, a sentiment echoed by Nins. Both women emphasize the importance of balancing personal and professional lives. This balance isn’t a one-size-fits-all; rather, it’s about finding what works individually, whether single or family-oriented.
The Journey into Digital Marketing
For those unfamiliar, Ann and Nins discovered their separate path to digital marketing. Ann, a content marketing strategist and published author, joined forces with Nins, an ad strategist, to co-found Media Rocketz. They take pride in helping Filipino entrepreneurs scale their online businesses by providing them with strategic content and digital solutions.
Founding Media Rocketz and the Importance of Balance
Ann and Nins recounted their journey from individual freelancers to co-founders. Nins’ entry into freelancing began as a necessity, allowing her to balance work with motherhood. She described her humbling transition from a corporate setting to learning Facebook ads, an in-demand skill that paved the way for her digital career. Meanwhile, Ann’s journey was sparked by a significant life event—sickness—which pushed her to question the trajectory of her life and career. These experiences underline the importance of seizing opportunities and never underestimating the power of self-education and taking action.
Mentorship and Giving Back
Beyond their professional endeavors, Ann and Nins are passionate about sharing their knowledge. Through their previous mentoring program, Success Squad, they have mentored individuals looking to break into freelancing, focusing on practical advice, mindset shifts, and skill-building. They recount stories of transformation, such as those of OFWs returning home empowered to work locally as freelancers. Both Ann and Nins stress the importance of showing up and the courage to learn continuously, as they guide new entrepreneurs.
Here’s a dive into their enriching conversation about balance, mentorship, and the art of making marketing human.
00:00 Joy and Humility
00:58 Podcast Welcome Guests
03:24 Work Life Balance
04:30 Counterbalancing Concept
07:12 Speaking Event Nerves
12:37 Intentional Agency Growth
18:33 From Freelance to Agency
27:02 Staying Grounded Gratitude
34:32 Handling Trolls Feedback
40:14 Handling Trolls Online
41:14 Know Yourself First
43:37 Customer Service Toughness
46:52 Will It Matter Later
50:30 Protecting Health And Time
52:01 Taiwan Adventure Stories
58:24 Nins Freelancing Origin
01:06:00 From Ads To Agency
01:08:03 Decision Making Roots
01:13:07 Breaking The Government Norm
01:14:39 Sickness As Wake Up Call
01:21:28 Family Acceptance And Pandemic
01:23:50 Kids and Work Boundaries
01:24:55 Webinar Series for WFH
01:26:15 9-to-5 Lessons for Freelancing
01:29:37 Mindset Shifts and Discipline
01:34:47 Why Success Squad Started
01:39:01 Building Media Rackets Partnership
01:46:34 Systems Trust and Team Care
01:54:08 Client Screening and Right Offers
01:59:28 When Ads Make Sense
02:05:25 Organic vs Paid Growth
02:06:54 Diversify Traffic Sources
02:08:48 Retention Systems That Work
02:10:54 Partner Decision Framework
02:15:29 Values Based Client Screening
02:19:40 Mindset Execution Over Skills
02:23:50 Grace Responsibility Balance
02:27:22 Future Impact Empower Pinoys
02:31:03 Legacy Show Up Learn Act
02:48:28 Closing Thanks And Links