The Offshore Diaries

From helping manage an e-commerce business during the pandemic to becoming a trusted virtual assistant supporting multiple clients, Shaina Ventanilla shares her journey of growth, adaptability, and continuous learning in the VA industry. A Management Accounting graduate who initially questioned whether her experience qualified her as "real" virtual assistant work, Shaina discusses how embracing ne...

Aya Almonte’s career is a testament to the power of adaptability, initiative, and continuous learning. Starting her professional journey at just 19 years old as an on-site Executive Assistant supporting multiple businesses, Aya quickly gained experience handling everything from operations and audits to travel arrangements, visa processing, scheduling, and business administration. In this episode,...

At just 22 years old, Julian Kurt De La Cruz has already built an impressive career path, transitioning from the BPO industry into the world of virtual assistance while balancing his college education. In this episode, Julian shares how confidence, adaptability, and a willingness to learn helped him leverage his communication skills into a successful role as an Executive Assistant. From supporting...

For over two years, Archer Solutions has been building a different kind of virtual assistant company—one that brings remote talent together under one roof. In this episode, General Manager Sammy shares how the company evolved from a small remote team of fewer than ten people into a growing organization of more than 100 employees. Drawing from his experience helping build the company’s systems, pro...

Gene Bohensky, CEO of Archer's Contact Solutions, shares the remarkable story of how a single virtual assistant hire evolved into a thriving outsourcing company serving businesses across the United States. Drawing from nearly a decade of experience working with Filipino talent, Gene discusses the challenges he encountered managing remote teams, the lessons learned about reliability and consistency...

Patrick Visto’s journey into digital marketing began under extraordinary circumstances. After experiencing homelessness and struggling to find direction early in life, he discovered digital skills that ultimately transformed his future. Years later, after building a successful career, Patrick faced another life-altering challenge when he was diagnosed with advanced kidney disease. Following multip...

For 15 years, Sheila So has been at the forefront of the Philippines’ virtual assistant industry, building a career that evolved from SEO writing and content creation to social media management, website copywriting, and team leadership. In this episode of Offshore Diaries, Sheila shares her journey from aspiring journalist to seasoned remote professional, revealing how a single skill became the fo...

In this episode of The Offshore Diaries , Paulo Santos sits down with MJ Lim , a rising virtual assistant who made the leap from nearly four years in the Philippine BPO industry into the world of remote work. MJ shares an unfiltered look at life inside traditional call centers—from rigid scripts and demanding workplace cultures to the challenges of career growth, compensation, and work-life balanc...

Tya Bolton, founder and CEO of EBS Universal, a global award-winning agency specializing in community engagement, event production, and consulting. With nearly two decades of entrepreneurial experience and a career that began in virtual business management long before remote work became mainstream, Tya shares her remarkable journey from corporate leadership to building a thriving international com...

Jeser Javier, tax educator, accountant, and CPA reviewer joins the podcast to break down one of the most important—and often misunderstood—topics for Filipino freelancers and virtual assistants: taxation. Drawing from his experience teaching accounting and taxation, working with multinational corporations, and assisting clients with tax compliance, Jeser explains why freelancers are legally requir...

Alka Bahal of OGC Solutions shares nearly three decades of experience as a corporate immigration attorney, offering valuable insights into the complex intersection of global talent, employment law, and U.S. immigration policy. Drawing from her work helping multinational companies and U.S. employers navigate immigration regulations, Bahal explains the realities of bringing international employees t...

Bhargavi Sahu shares her unique perspective as a first-generation Indian American who has built her career working across diverse teams and cultures. Currently working in sales for a health tech startup in New York City, Bhargavi reflects on her experience collaborating with remote professionals from the Philippines, India, South Africa, and beyond. Drawing from her background in project managemen...

Junezel Barobaro shares her inspiring journey from the BPO industry to becoming an Operations Manager in the virtual assistant space. Drawing from more than a decade of leadership experience, she reflects on the challenges of transitioning into remote work during the pandemic, starting over as a cold caller, and steadily working her way up through determination, adaptability, and continuous learni...

Chris Borgese, founder and lead instructor of Yes Master Class, joins the podcast to share decades of experience in sales, business development, and communication training. Drawing from his early days on Wall Street, where success depended on persistence, persuasion, and relationship-building, Chris discusses the realities of professional selling and challenges the common misconception that sales...

In this special episode of The Offshore Diaries, Malissa Strauch and Paolo Santos turn the microphone on themselves to share the story behind the podcast and the conversations that inspired it. Drawing from decades of experience working with offshore teams, virtual assistants, and remote professionals, they explore how the modern VA industry has evolved and why there is a growing need for more hon...

In the debut episode of The Offshore Diaries, business leaders Gene Behensky of Archers Contact Solutions and Teo Vagno-Ariputra of Stealth Agents pull back the curtain on the realities of building and scaling offshore teams. Drawing from decades of experience working with talent in the Philippines, they share how their companies evolved from simple outsourcing solutions into full-service organiza...