This episode felt less like an interview and more like one of those long conversations you have when you finally ask the questions you’ve been meaning to ask for years.
We had Jomar Hilario on the podcast—and if you’ve been in the online space for a while, you know he’s one of the people who was doing this way before it was cool. Before “WFH,” before “digital nomad,” before everyone had a course.
For me, this was extra special because Jomar has been my mentor for over 12 years. And somehow, even after all that time, we still found ourselves saying, “Uy, ngayon lang natin ‘to napag-usapan ah.”
The Big Question We Started With
We started with something very real.
That feeling when you’re working corporate and you start thinking about going online…
pero biglang papasok lahat ng tanong:
- Paano magiging stable yung income?
- Paano ko sasabihin sa pamilya ko?
- Paano kung may umaasa na sa’kin?
Breadwinner ka man, parent, or parehong sabay—this part hits home.
So we asked Jomar: How did you deal with that uncertainty?
“Huwag Ka Munang Umalis”
One of the most practical things Jomar shared:
Don’t quit right away.
He kept his day job.
Then worked online during lunch breaks, nights, early mornings.
Part-time. For years.
He talked about how he tracked everything—salary, side income, affiliate earnings, workshop fees, expenses. Literal spreadsheet. Walang drama. Walang hype.
Makikita mo doon kung kailan ka ready. Hindi feelings lang.
And when he eventually got laid off (yes, kicked out—his words 😂), he already knew where he stood financially. Hindi siya nag-panic. May plano na.
When Corporate Just Doesn’t Fit Anymore
Another moment we all related to:
being stuck in a system that refuses to move forward.
Jomar came from a super bureaucratic company. Old systems. Old tech. Kahit obvious na may internet na, bawal pa rin.
Meanwhile, he was already doing digital marketing on the side.
So when the corporate door closed, klaro na sa kanya:
Hindi na ako babalik.
Not because it was easy—but because it made more sense.
About Courses, Seminars, and “That One Thing”
This part was gold.
Jomar said something we all needed to hear:
It’s not the course that will change your life.
It’s your desperation to change.
He’s attended expensive seminars. Flew to Singapore. Paid thousands.
But he never tried to apply everything.
He always asked:
Ano yung one thing na iuuwi ko dito?
One idea. One action.
Then run with it.
Not perfect. Just moving.
Side note: if you’ve been wondering where to actually start without drowning in courses, Jomar’s book Second Incomes is one of the most practical resources we’ve come across. No fluff. No “quit your job tomorrow” energy. It’s very much aligned with how he talked in this episode—build while you’re still stable, take small steps, and focus on action.
If you want to check it out, I’ll link it here: https://andreavchiu.com/sibook
Tiny Fears Are the Real Problem
One of my favorite moments was when he talked about fear.
Not big fear.
Tiny fears.
Yung:
- “Copy-paste lang? Ay, parang nakakahiya.”
- “Magre-record sana ako kaso maingay.”
- “Hindi pa okay mic ko.”
- “Next week na lang.”
He shared how he literally spent an hour in one workshop just telling people:
Copy-paste. Copy-paste. Copy-paste.
And when people actually did it—and got replies—he rewarded them.
Because once you beat the smallest fear,
lahat ng susunod… mas maliit na ulit.
Work, Kids, and Real-Life Interruptions
This wasn’t a “perfect balance” conversation.
Jomar was honest:
Work does consume family life.
Amen daw. 😂
But what stood out was how intentional he is with interruptions.
He works.
Stops.
Talks to the kids.
Prays.
Sings.
Then works again.
Not grand gestures.
Just daily showing up.
One line that stuck with me:
Life should interrupt work—not the other way around.
Why This Episode Is Worth Listening To
This episode isn’t about:
- getting rich fast
- quitting your job tomorrow
- or having it all figured out
It’s about the messy middle.
The slow build.
The doubts.
The small wins.
The values you hold while figuring things out.
If you’re building something online—or even just thinking about it—this conversation will feel like someone telling you, “Relax. You’re not behind. Just keep going.”
🎧 Listen, Subscribe, and Stay With Us
If this kind of conversation speaks to you—real stories, honest lessons, no hype—subscribe to In A Jam podcast so you don’t miss the next episode.
And if you want more reflections like this, you can always read more here at andreavchiu.com 💛