Let me tell you about this incredible conversation I had with Coach Rowell Austria – and wow, what a journey this guy has been on, right? As a freelancer myself, I’m always fascinated by these transformation stories, especially when they involve fellow Filipinos who’ve made that leap from traditional overseas work to building their own OFW to freelancer success story.
The Unexpected Beginning: From DJ Booth to Facebook Ads
All right, so here’s where Rowell’s story gets really interesting. This guy was working as a DJ in Abu Dhabi – yeah, you heard that right, a DJ! But here’s the thing that caught my attention: he accidentally discovered Facebook ads while trying to promote a bar. I mean, how’s that for stumbling into your calling, right?
And uh, this is something I think a lot of us can relate to. Sometimes our biggest career pivots happen by accident. Rowell started experimenting with Facebook ads for this bar promotion, and boom – that spark of interest in digital marketing changed everything. As a freelancer myself, I can say that these “aha moments” are often disguised as small experiments that end up becoming our main thing.
The Reality Check: Early Freelancing Struggles
Okay, so let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous part, because Rowell’s story isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. When he started freelancing as a VA in 2016, he faced what most of us go through – low pay, lack of mentorship, health issues from overworking, and yeah, the brutal competition for premium clients.
I think this part of his story is so important because, um, it’s real. Right? We often see these success stories and think it was smooth sailing, but Rowell got fired early on for not being good at selling or calls. That’s the tough learning curve we all face as beginners.
But here’s what I really admire about his approach – he didn’t let these setbacks define him. Instead, he used them as stepping stones. And uh, as someone who’s been through similar struggles, I can tell you that this resilience is what separates those who make it from those who don’t.
The Game-Changer: Mentorship and Continuous Learning
All right, so this is where Rowell’s story takes a crucial turn. He emphasizes something that I’m super passionate about – the importance of mentorship. Yeah, he literally says it’s the fastest way to learn, and I couldn’t agree more.
In the freelancing world, especially for us Filipinos, having a trusted mentor can save you years of trial and error. But here’s the catch – you need to vet your mentors carefully to avoid scams. Rowell’s experience shows how the right guidance can accelerate your growth exponentially.
And uh, he also talks about developing a reading habit, which is something I think we don’t emphasize enough in the freelancing community. Continuous learning isn’t just about courses and webinars – it’s about staying curious and feeding your mind regularly.
The Productivity Secret: Willpower Management
So here’s something really interesting that Rowell shared – his approach to productivity. He plans his top three priorities the night before and treats willpower as a limited daily resource. This is brilliant, right?
As a freelancer myself, I’ve learned that we can’t just wing it when it comes to productivity. Rowell’s method of focusing on high-impact tasks rather than multitasking or letting distractions drain mental energy is something I think every freelancer should adopt.
And yeah, this understanding of willpower management is crucial when you’re working independently. We don’t have bosses breathing down our necks, so we need to be our own best managers.
Building Authority: The SMARE Success Story
Now, here’s where Rowell’s journey gets really exciting. He created SMARE – Social Media Ads for Real Estate – an online course specifically for real estate professionals. This is a perfect example of how freelancers can evolve from service providers to educators and business owners.
I think this transition is so important because it shows how you can diversify your income streams and build authority in your niche. Instead of just doing Facebook ads for clients, Rowell is now teaching others how to do it themselves. That’s smart business, right?
His focus on the real estate niche demonstrates something crucial – specialization pays. Rather than being a generalist, he became THE guy for Facebook ads in real estate. As someone who’s seen the freelancing landscape evolve, I can tell you that this kind of niche expertise is where the real money is.
The Mindset That Makes the Difference
All right, so let’s talk about what I think is the most important part of Rowell’s story – his mindset. He talks about avoiding overthinking, embracing risk, maintaining positivity, and keeping trying despite failures.
This resonates with me so much because, um, freelancing is essentially running a business, and that requires experimentation and resilience. Your mental attitude is just as important as your technical skills – maybe even more important.
Rowell’s mission has evolved beyond just teaching ads to helping others bridge the gap between their current situation and their dreams. That’s purpose-driven freelancing, right there. And I think this emotional connection is what creates loyal clients and students.
Lessons for Aspiring Freelancers
So what can we learn from Rowell’s journey? First, be patient with the process. His transition from OFW to freelancer success story wasn’t overnight – it took years of building skills, facing setbacks, and pushing through challenges.
Second, invest in mentorship and continuous learning. Yeah, it might cost money upfront, but it’s worth it to avoid years of trial and error.
Third, develop healthy work habits early. Rowell learned the hard way about the health risks of overworking without boundaries – something many of us freelancers struggle with.
And finally, embrace the entrepreneurial mindset. Freelancing isn’t just about trading time for money – it’s about building something bigger than yourself.
The Future of Filipino Freelancing
Rowell’s story represents the broader shift in opportunities available to Filipino freelancers globally. From low-paying VA work to becoming sought-after specialists and course creators, the landscape has evolved dramatically.
His emphasis on community and mentorship points to something important – the need for support networks in our freelancing ecosystem. Especially here in the Philippines, where formal training for digital skills might be limited.
So yeah, Coach Rowell Austria’s journey from an OFW to freelancer success story and educator is proof that with the right mindset, mentorship, and persistence, we can create incredible opportunities for ourselves. His story gives me hope for the future of Filipino freelancing, and I think it should inspire you too.
Ready to start your own freelancing journey? Remember Rowell’s advice: avoid overthinking, embrace risk, and keep trying despite failures. Your breakthrough might be just one experiment away.
