Do you feel like things aren’t going your way since you started freelancing?
Have you already tried almost everything, jumped from field to field, but still, you haven’t really reached a place where life feels easy and flourishing?
Well, worry no more, for, in this episode, we’re about to treat you with an inspiring story of someone who flew to the Philippines all the way from New York, got financially broke, but is now his field’s expert!
Live your own definition of success; do not just define it.
Become an entrepreneur of your own, and live the life of your dreams.
JD Ducreay helps Shopify merchants 10x their conversion using the customer-centric design without spending a dime more on paid marketing. He is a Shopify advisor and consultant for 8-figure private label local brands.
He is the Managing Director of KTER, a Shopify agency for successful private label brands, and the founder of Shopify Designers PH, a community for Shopify experts and marketers in the Philippines. He is also one of the Skilz course creators behind the topic: How To Build a Highly Converting Shopify Store, and he has helped scale a US Shopify Plus merchant to $2.4 million a day in sales.
In this episode, JD shares his freelancing journey, from starting as an eBay VA to then becoming a Shopify expert. Here, he inspires people with his story as he mentions tips on how you can also reach and live your goals.
“Explore. Learn and try different skills and jobs. Ang dami kong sinubukan bago ako nag-land sa Shopify. From there, makikita mo naman kung anong industry, kung anong skillset ang gusto mong gawin. Just explore and discover there. Hindi ito short term na kailangan alam mo na kaagad ‘yong gagawin mo.” – JD Ducreay
What you’ll learn from this episode:
- Understand the importance of having a mentor as you jump into freelancing;
- Find out why it’s a must that you have more than one source of income, especially as you enter the role of parenthood; and
- Get tips around things you can do as you start doing freelancing, as well as best practices when it comes to your Shopify practice
Topics Covered:
04:03 – Welcoming today’s guest, JD Ducreay
06:33 – Flying from New York to the Philippines: JD’s journey of going broke, to becoming a Shopify expert
17:59 – Biggest challenge he has encountered as soon as he started doing freelancing
21:05 – Mindset shifts that happened as he joined the group led by John Pagulayan
24:58 – “I have to think of something. Hindi pwedeng mag-gi-give up lang ako then bahala na.”
26:38 – What were the worst objections JD went through?
30:43 – What JD did to change and make things better
32:39 – The story behind the existence of Shopify Designers PH and KTER
36:42 – Why it’s a win for you to have John Pagulayan as your mentor
38:24 – Reaching his hand out as the community deals with their pain points in freelancing
41:11 – JD shares a short backgrounder on how he helped a client have a $2.4 Million sale per day
43:48 – Ms. Jan reads Facebook comments from live viewers
44:45 – Is JD still open to serving international clients at the moment?
46:17 – What’s the difference between working with local and international clients?
48:10 – How JD was able to do all things at once
51:13 – What is JD’s own definition of success?
53:57 – Ms. Jan reads Facebook comments from live viewers
54:31 – Learn from JD: His piece of advice for freelancers and for those who want to have a relationship like his
59:22 – Can you really call yourself an expert if you don’t know how to code?
1:01:22 – Talking about the business of JD’s wife: Eternal Scents and Fragrances
1:02:02 – Connect with JD Ducreay
1:03:29 – Join Ms. Jan’s community: LinkedIn Marketing Mastermind Philippines
1:05:00 – If JD’s life would be a book/movie, what would its title be?
1:07:47 – What is JD’s favorite book/movie?
1:09:02 – JD’s piece of advice as the episode nears its end
1:10:08 – JD’s favorite podcast
Key Takeaways:
“Work smarter, not harder.” – JD Ducreay
“Once you’re in a position na you have to come up with a solution, money, whatever, doon sa challenges, na wala kang choice, it’s up to you, trust me, your brain is going to come up with different solutions to come up with the money or to face that challenge.” – JD Ducreay
“I had to pave the way and make it happen.” – JD Ducreay
“If you want to generate results, you wanna make sure na okay ‘yong assets, na they are already aggressively marketing and gumagana naman ‘yong strategies nila. Kasi if it fails, dadalhin mo din ‘yon. Minsan, it’s not really us; pwede ring doon sa product, pwede ring doon sa marketing, and so on.” – JD Ducreay
“Make time with your partner. Tulungan lang din kayo. Kasi by the end of the day, you’re doing this para sa family mo; it’s not just for your clients or to make money.” – JD Ducreay
Connect with JD Ducreay:
