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Welcome, dear readers, to a journey of corporate escape, spiritual awakenings, and the hilarious reality of being your own boss. Today, we dive into the unique story of Jaslyin Qiyu, a spirited entrepreneur who’s carving out her niche in the world of fractional work. If you’ve ever dreamt of breaking free from the corporate chains, this might just be your lightbulb moment. Or at the very least, a chance to giggle at someone else’s wild ride.
Embracing the CEO Mindset (Or Not)
Let’s get one thing straight: Jaslyin didn’t wake up one day, don a CEO hat, and decide to rule the business world. In fact, the journey was more like an awkward stumble into entrepreneurial enlightenment. Picture this: Jaslyin, among corporate giants like Citibank and JLL, trying to hustle her way up the ladder while also contending with the challenges of, as she puts it, being a “shorter Asian woman” in a male-dominated industry. Spoiler: the only ladder climbing involved was not setting up office chairs in acrobatic formations.
Spirituality & Fractional Magic
Jaslyin’s work isn’t just a business venture; it’s an exploration of spirituality-infused entrepreneurship. What’s her gig, you ask? She’s a “spiritually driven entrepreneur” empowering others—especially women—to explore fractional work. For the uninitiated, “fractional” isn’t a term you’ll find in your average maths textbook. It’s about dedicating a fraction of your time to clients, balancing multiple projects, and occasionally forgetting which client you’re speaking to (don’t worry, we’ve all been there).
Corporate Burnout: A Love-Hate Relationship
Like many trapped-in-Zoom-meetings souls during the Covid era, Jaslyin learned the art of remote work way more intimately than anyone ever wanted. Her office became her dining table and her home—dare we say it—a “corporate prison.” Imagine setting dinner with one hand while frantically typing emails with the other. Burnout wasn’t just a result of overexertion but rather the natural consequence of trying to climb a corporate mountain in slippers, metaphorically speaking.
The Leap of Faith (And Tears)
The switch to entrepreneurship came unexpectedly when a corporate client approached her with a proposition right after she hit the employment wall (also known as retrenchment). Leaving corporate life was less a grand leap of faith and more a gentle yet firm nudge off the ledge. Armed with a mixture of inspiration and trepidation—plus, let’s be real, a fair amount of crying—she crafted her first pitch deck, likely sprinkled with tear stains and a touch of newfound hope.
Balancing Acts and Batteries
Now firmly entrenched in her entrepreneurial quest, Jaslyin has adopted some crafty habits for time management. For starters, she squeezes her laptop battery like a bar of gold at the end of a long workweek, often avoiding chargers to force herself into actual leisure time. It’s efficiency with a side of convenience—and it’s genius.
The Art of Juggling
From marketing consultancy to handling AI integration, Jaslyin’s business has evolved rapidly from 60% consultancy to an even split with traditional marketing campaigns. She wears multiple hats, each demanding strategy and creativity. Some days she’s a strategist, others an executioner, and occasionally, just a really tired CEO convincing herself “yes, I can do this.”
Conclusion: Laughing Through the Stumbles
Jaslyin’s journey is a reminder that the path to entrepreneurship is anything but straight, perfectly paved, or signposted. It’s a bumpy ride filled with unexpected turns and a whole lot of improvisation. But it’s also paved with moments of pure delight, like when a client finds you after hearing you speak or when projects take off with gusto.
So, whether you’re a corporate escapist, a budding entrepreneur, or just here for a bit of comedic relief, remember: building a business might just be the ultimate blend of chaos management and creative storytelling. And if Jaslyin’s story teaches us anything, it’s that a sprinkle of humor goes a long way in lighting up even the most challenging of endeavors.
This episode is brought to you by Deel, the all-in-one platform simplifying global team management with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance solutions, trusted by over 35,000 businesses worldwide. Learn more at https://deel.com/adriantan.
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