Here we sit down with Jackie to learn a bit more about her journey as an entrepreneur.
Q. Tell us a little more about your journey as an entrepreneur – how did you get started? What inspired you?
Jackie: My first exposure to entrepreneurship was when I was a kid. My parents owned a rice mill business. I remember my father would talk to clients, sell goods, and do bookkeeping, all while employed as a full-time accountant in a local bank. But my journey started about 20 years ago, intending to have my own restaurant. I even had the name in mind then that I made into reality. I love to cook, and I aim to share happiness through food. My initial approach was to have a home-based business, which I did. I made baked goodies, like cakes, pastries, and cookies, some with modified ingredients, using less sugar, flour substitutes, and fruit-based to make them healthier.
Later on, I decided to shift gears. I am a pharmacist by profession, and when you see patients on so many medications but are not getting “well”, you begin to wonder what is wrong with the healthcare system. That made me transition my business from making baked goodies to helping people become healthier through healthy cooking, nutrition education, and functional medicine.
I am particularly drawn to helping patients with chronic diseases, especially cancer patients. I worked as an oncology pharmacist and helped set up the cancer center in a tertiary hospital. I have seen my patients suffer from the cancer side effects of chemo medications and radiation treatment. I have been part of their healing journey and wanted to help in that way and beyond. Aside from that, at one point in my life, I experienced a cancer scare. They found a lump in my throat. But lifestyle-based interventions, like a healthy diet, optimal nutrition, exercise, and increasing consumption of high-antioxidant food, like blueberries, it has resolved my condition somehow, and that is what inspires me to help people just like me who maybe need guidance and coaching on how to overcome this debilitating health condition.
Q. What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive in your day-to-day busy schedule?
Jackie: I am a believer in having a vision. And setting goals toward that vision keeps me focused and productive. My long-term goal is to be able to help, educate and inspire as many people as I possibly can and make an impact and help reduce or eradicate cancer, not only in our community but worldwide. I know it is a big vision, and I know I am not alone. But baby steps can eventually take us there someday. As for now, my immediate goal is to help people in their individual health journey to fight cancer, help them stay in remission, and improve their quality of life.
Q. What motivates you?
Jackie: What motivates me is my passion for helping others and, at the same time, helping my family. When I interact with my patients, I make them feel that I care about them. Aside from what I do, as a pharmacist, like educating them about their medications, and the side effects, I extend my role a little further so that they can feel that you actually care for them. When you build that kind of relationship with your patients, I feel they kind of take care of themselves better because they know that someone is trying to help them as well.
Q. What business-related book would you say inspires you the most? Or what would you consider to be your favorite book?
Jackie: My favorite book is The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. I’ve also read and listened to the audiobook Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill multiple times, and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne is the big ones that I like.
Reading plenty of business-related books has changed my thoughts about money and building wealth. I truly believe that you will achieve whatever you put your mind to. So if your heart and mind are into something that you are passionate about and that something can benefit other people and solve their problems, you will be successful.
Q. What strategies do you use to optimize your performance or your mindset?
Jackie: I read and study a lot. Every spare time that I get, I make it productive and nourishing. I listen to audiobooks, purchase online courses and learn from others’ success stories. I help myself through meditation, exercise, a healthy diet, quality supplements, and staying active, and of course, I spend quality time with my family.
Q. If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it? What would I name it?
Jackie: I would say I would describe myself in the book, I would say strong. How to be strong, kind, and resilient.
I feel that in my journey, even from when I was a kid. Part of my values growing up is being emotionally strong and resilient. I always incorporate kindness in everything that I do. If you’re beautiful inside, people will see that from the outside.
Q. What is one of the best or what you consider to be the most worthwhile investment you’ve ever made?
Jackie: Worthwhile investment I’ve ever made is in myself. I have invested everything that I could in helping me grow as a person. That is the biggest investment I’ve ever made. You cannot put a value on your potential. The sky’s the limit when you believe and invest in the most important part of your business: you.
Q. Where do you see the future in your industry in the next three to five years from now?
Jackie: So my niche is helping cancer patients. I know there are initiatives worldwide on how to decrease the cancer burden in our society. I hope my business will make a big impact and make significant progress to help with this health problem.
How Megan Claire Hatfield Turned Her Pain Into Purpose(Opens in a new browser tab)
Q. What is your ‘one-sentence’ piece of advice you’d like to give to someone who wants to become an entrepreneur, coach, or business owner?
Jackie: If you want to become an entrepreneur, it is not an easy journey. But what’s important is what your heart sings, what will make you happy, and if your purpose is to help others. You’re going to be successful in your own way.
To keep up to date with Jackie and her journey, connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.