Thursday, January 19, 2017

A New Year, a new you? Work-from-home careers for busy moms

It won't come as any surprise to my readers that being a mom is a full-time job. As a mom, we are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our job never ends! Whether you're a full-time homemaker, a work-from-home mommy, or a mom who goes to an office, we never stop working at all. That is the truth.

Many mommies tell me they wish they can work from home, just like I do. (Meanwhile, now that my youngest son has weaned, I'm thinking maybe it's time to go back to corporate!) But many of them also tell me they don't want to be a blogger like me. I totally understand—sometimes I don't want to mine my life for business opportunities, too! Sometimes the need for privacy takes over, you know? That's why I'm steering my blog away from my mommy life and to a space for working mamas. 

So what other options are there for moms who want to be with their kids and earn money at the same time, but don't want to be bloggers? The good news is that there are plenty of career paths now available for moms to work from home all day. Let's take a look at some of them.

Realtor or Appraiser
Real estate agents are usually able to set their own schedules and often expect their employees to be able to work at the evening and on weekends. The job of an appraiser is to calculate the value of property by comparing it to similar properties in the same area. The job requires some training and certification, so you'll want to start thinking about it now if you plan to become one before the end of the year. The pay is good, and there are lots of benefits.

My friend, Kabbie Alipio, is in real estate. She used to be a fashion editor (that's how we met, when we were both editors for OK! magazine), and then her husband asked her maybe she can help with his growing real estate business. So she jumped ship. She now earns so much more than she ever did in publishing and she gets to be with her adorable daughter, Kelly. Best work-life balance!
Get Kabbie to help you find your dream home via Upside PH.

So try real estate, mommies!

Hairdresser or Makeup Artist
Women are always going to demand services from people who can help them achieve the look that they want. This means that there is a lot of demand for beauticians, like hairdressers, makeup artists, and mani-pedicurists. The great thing about beauticians is that they are able to work from home and work flexibly around their own timetable. The most successful beauticians, hairdressers, and makeup artists are those who specialize in particular areas, like weddings. Rates of pay tend to be higher for things like weddings and special events.

One of the best wedding makeup artists I know is Jasmine Mendiola. We also met in the magazine world, when Jas used to be the fashion and beauty editor for Total Girl, and sometimes I'd ask her to contribute to OK!. Jas has since left for more lucrative work in advertising and events. She also does beauty workshops. She writes beauty articles. She's a stylist. She's also an in-demand makeup artist and hairstylist for brides. Whew! Despite her busy schedule, she still gets to spend lots of time with her kids, Mio and Roux. 
Check out Jasmine's work at Jasmine Mendiola.

So try the beauty industry, mommies! You can do nail art, waxing, massages—all of these pay so much! 

Interior Designer or Home Stylist
If you have a passion for interior design, then becoming an interior designer is a good option. Although education and training are usually preferred, there are plenty of opportunities in the markets for people who just have a passion for decor. Most people succeed in the interior design industry by focusing on one or two very lucrative clients and ensuring that they meet their needs. 

A mommy interior designer who endlessly surprises me is Camyl Besinga. She used to be the managing editor of Cosmopolitan (that's why I know her). She's also in a band. She's a stylist, too. And did I mention that she's an interior designer? Like, what can this woman not do?! She also has a cutie little girl!
Check out Camyl's work at Gal At Home.

So try interior design, mommies! You can also start a home-cleaning service, a gardening biz, or make products for the home!

Accountant
Most people think that accountancy is a job that has to be done in a big office. But as an accountant, you can actually work for yourself from home, allowing you to do things like preparing clients' taxes and creating financial reports. In addition, you are able to work flexibly, or even part time if you wish. Most accountants start out with a bachelor's degree in accounting, but you don't have to start out this way. You can also start as an assistant for an established accountant. What's more, there is plenty of training online through people like the CPA Exam Guy

Haha, okay for this job, I have no friend to give as an example. I don't know any mommy who is an accountant! I guess former editors may branch into a lot of things but finance is way too far from the spectrum! But do try accountancy, mommies! My goodness, I've been looking for an accountant and bookkeeper forever to help with my business books. There is a HUGE market out there for freelancers and sole proprietors like me. I finally have an accountant but he's a he so I can't feature him as a working mama!

If you're wondering how you can grow your business if you're stuck at home, don't lose heart! The first place you could look to build your customer base is your family and friends. Try your community, too. Try your online community—I find this very effective. Use Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin to tell people about your work. The best way to have a cheap shop and office? A blog that features your work! So try blogging, too! Good luck, mommies! 

Monday, January 02, 2017

What 2016's most popular posts can tell us about blogging in 2017

Happy New Year, everybody!

Indulge me for a moment: I want all my Loyal Readers who are bloggers to check their stats and see which of your blog posts ranked the highest. List them down and then study that list. I'll tell you why in a bit but first, here are Topaz Horizon's most popular posts in 2016:

#1 Review: Flawless Advanced Anti-Acne Facial
#2 Mama's regrets
#3 What exactly is a supermom?
#4 I saw my future in an instant
#5 Frances Finds #GiftsTheyllLoveatNBS
#6 Topaz Horizon is now officially a mommy blog
#7 Review: Physiogel Calming Relief range
#8 Life changes this year with the new school year 
#9 Is blogging even still relevant this 2016?
#10 Raising kids in the time of blogging

Beauty reviews, motherhood, marriage, blogging, and shopping finds. Those are the topics that my readers liked the most. Although I'm a little suspicious about the National Book Store post because I think NBS promoted that.
Or maybe this was a popular post because people love to shop? What do you think?

In November, as I turned 40 years old, I launched a new look and a new direction for my blog. The look was cleaner and more professional yet still feminine. The new direction was my blog will now be a working mama's journal, a working mother's life shared with other working moms! It is my hope we can create a community supporting each other. That's the goal. Thing is not one career-oriented blog post made it to my popular-posts list! What to do?

Well, I've decided to marry what my readers want with what I want. I will still continue to talk about beauty, motherhood, marriage, and shopping but all in the context of working motherhood. To tie it all neatly together! So I've found my niche (working mamas unite!) and I'm so excited to blog this 2017!

You see, last year was a bit of a limbo for me. I decided to kill my mommy blog so I can stop mommy blogging and be a lifestyle blogger. However, my lifestyle was very much dominated by my kids—from what I wore and what I ate to what I read and watched! What else am I going to write about?!? As a writer, I have always been told by my writing teachers and mentors: Write what you know. And all I know now in this stage of my life is being a mommy so here we go! Mommy blogging again! But I needed focus. And after many tries, I found it, I found my focus! Working mamas unite!

Throughout 2016, I also experimented with different topics seen in blog series. I did Ask Frances, Frances Finds, Topaz Talks, and Blog Biz. Here's what you'll still see in 2017 and what will stay in 2016:

Ask Frances was an advice column but I quickly found out that I couldn't sustain it. First, the questions sent were too hard—marriage trouble, OFWs resenting their families, mothers resenting their kids and their husbands. I'm sorry if I didn't answer your questions, readers. I didn't because I couldn't. Second, the questions were mostly sent anonymously so when I ended each Ask Frances post with a request for contact info so I can send their gift, only two replied and got their gifts! So that didn't fly.

Frances Finds will continue! I have lots of products and goodies to tell you about!

Topaz Talks is fun—it's me chatting with other working mamas and they reveal tips and tricks about work and motherhood, plus information relevant to the season. I have three Topaz Talks lined up! I just haven't been able to transcribe my interviews because the holidays were much too much! Stay tuned for those!

Blog Biz was my favorite series! I was only supposed to do that every other month but I liked talking about blogging so much, I did it every month. I even did two Blog Biz broadcasts on Facebook Live! I realized I love sharing my blogging secrets, and I really want everyone to have a blog. I like telling stories and I love reading other people's stories so let's all write our stories! Plus, if I can help other people, mommies especially, to earn from blogging like I do and be able to stay home with their kids like I do, then my blogging has been worthwhile!

So there you go! My blogging strategy for 2017! Focusing my blog to be by and for working mamas will also help me with everything—from the sponsors I work with, the workshops I'll do, and the speaking engagements I hope to get. It's easier to explain my blog to brands now! I'm so happy that after 10 years, I've finally understood what to do with my blog! Imagine that!

Okay, now tell me what you plan to do with your career and your blog this 2017. Tell me about your blog's most popular posts and what it told you. I'd really love to know!

Happy New Year!!!

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Pollution spoiling your skin? Physiogel Daily Defence to the rescue!

This post is brought to you by Physiogel.

This weekend, I'm starting a new skincare regimen using Physiogel's Daily Defence range. I actually tried the products a couple of months ago but after a few days, habit took over and I reached for my usual Physiogel Calming Relief products. But because 2017 is going to be a lot different from 2016, I'm switching to Daily Defence. Here's why:

1. Thanks to Physiogel's Calming Relief line, my skin has already calmed down. Literally. Just look at what my skin looked like before using Physiogel! 
After 2 months' use, my skin calmed down and felt relief!

Scary. But now that my condition has improved, I can move to another skincare line. But Physiogel pa rin! Since my skin is now healthier and stronger, I need to protect it from the harsh environment. Hence, Daily Defense!

2. This coming year, I'll have two kids in big school and my plan is for them to get involved in lots of extra-curricular activities. Because they'll be in school and also because my youngest son has finally weaned (hooray!), I can now focus more on my work. Whatever it will be! That means I'm changing my safely-working-at-home lifestyle to one that's out and about. So working mama me needs extra protection from pollution, UV rays, and stress!  

3. Well, it's New Year's Eve this weekend and the pollution will be extra thick so what better time to start a skincare regimen that aims to defend skin from the environment, right?

So let's talk about environmental pollution. As a working woman in the city, I'm well aware that pollution posts high risks on our health—our lungs and our skin most especially. I breathe in the city air every day. I get exposed to skin-damaging UV rays even when I'm in the shade because the glass-and-concrete buildings and the pavement reflect the sun's harmful rays. Pollution brings with it dirt, irritants, germs. Add sticky, oily sweat and you've got a recipe for skin disaster. I should know because my skin is super oily and extra sensitive so I break out at the slightest excuse! 

I actually didn't know my skin was sensitive. Akala ko super pimply lang talaga ako. Yun pala I have sensitive skin that's highly allergic to practically everything! Dirt, dust, allergens, makeup, perfume, my own husband's stubble! My skin reacts immediately—redness, rashes, pimples. Ang arte!

Living and working in the city hasn't helped my skin either. Especially in a megacity like Manila. Megacities are urban areas with at least 10 million people. I learned this from Physiogel: 

"Air pollution in megacities can be up to 15 times higher across the globe than recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines. When pollution comes into contact on the skin, the particles’ tiny size – which could be up to 20 times smaller than pores – allows them to infiltrate deeper layers of the epidermis. The breakdown of skin barrier functions at a cellular-level can make skin extra sensitive, and can cause skin irritation, dryness, dehydration, premature aging and dullness.

"Based on the 2016 report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the worsening air quality in Metro Manila, 80% of the air pollution in the country is to be blamed on mobile sources such as vehicles, and 20% of pollutants from stationary sources such as buildings and factories."

Jon Lee, Head of Skin Health & Nutrition, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Philippines, said, “We are talking to women who are driven by the megacity lifestyle. Studies have provided data linking the fast development of megacities like Metro Manila with the rapid increase in city pollution. And alongside that, the problem it brings to sensitive skin. It’s hard to escape pollution and other environmental aggressors, so it’s time to properly defend the skin.”

And here's where Physiogel Daily Defense comes in. 
Physiogel Daily Defence is a complete day-to-night facial skin regimen that promises to defend the skin against pollution and environmental irritants. How? Through a unique triple-action formula!
1. Physiogel BioMimic Technology® to repair and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier
2. broad spectrum UV protection to help protect against harmful UV rays
3. Antioxidant Complex to neutralize free radicals caused by pollution and radiation

Physiogel picked new brand ambassadors for Daily Defense: Liz Uy, Fay Hokulani, and Martine Cajucom. I know Liz from my past life as a magazine editor and she's shot through the sartorial stratosphere as a celebrity stylist, fashion editorial consultant, and international street style star. Liz said,  “As I travel to different megacities around the globe, I used to never really care about city pollution – not until I started noticing the visible changes on my skin. Sun spots, skin dryness and sensitivity, and practically aging faster are the effects of urban-living.” 


Liz started using the entire Physiogel Daily Defense line: Start with the Physiogel Daily Defence Gentle Facial Cleanser, which effectively removes makeup, dirt and other impurities while respecting the skin’s moisture barrier then finish with Physiogel Daily Defence Replenishing Night Cream to strengthen and repair the skin's moisture barrier function while you sleep. In the morning, use Physiogel Daily Defence Protective Day Cream Light with SPF 15 (or Physiogel Daily Defence Protective Day Cream Rich with SPF 15 if you have extra dry and irritated skin).

After just two weeks, women who tried the Daily Defense regimen noticed visibly healthier skin! Liz said, "To all women living and enjoying the megacity lifestyle, and to those who will pursue this path in their careers, the best decision you can make for yourself is to carefully defend your skin. So go out there and let Physiogel Daily Defence take care of your skin.” 

Oooh! I totally believe Liz because I'm a Physiogel user! I can't wait to start using Daily Defense! I'll do a review at the end of January. Watch for it!

For more information, visit: http://www.physiogel.com/ph and their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PhysiogelPH/.