Ride or Die: The B1 to Your B2

The moment I first met Cheska was at a close friend’s house—who also happened to be my boss at the time—when I was hired as a project researcher for an architectural firm. There she was, sitting on a swivel chair facing a colleague, sporting a coil hair tie and using her hands like she was orchestrating a symphony while explaining something; the desktop computer by her side. Her gestures were so graceful, it reminded me of those Italians who talk with their hands, but with a touch more elegance and less pasta.

As fate would have it, I eventually transitioned into an admin and finance assistant role becuse the company decided it needed a little more organization (and maybe a miracle or two). Enter Cheska, my direct superior and the chief administrative and finance officer. She’s the type of person who remains level-headed even when the world feels like it’s on fire—trust me, I’ve worked with my fair share of explosive personalities. I found a refreshing contrast in her: she was objective and logical, making it easy for me to discuss work-related stuff without feeling like I’d just stepped into a soap opera.

It might seem like she’s overly objective at times, but that’s exactly what I appreciate about her. In a world filled with drama, her calm demeanor is like a breath of fresh air. Together, we realized we complemented each other perfectly: her level-headedness balancing my empathy and sensitivity. We relied on each other for decisions that needed both perspectives, and I’ve got to say, it’s a winning combo.

Fast forward to today, we’re running Happy Hive with three other amazing shareholders. Together, we’ve built a space where creativity thrives, and each of us plays our part—Cheska keeping things grounded while I bring in the feelz. It’s a perfect blend of logical decision-making and empathetic support.

What’s the secret sauce? Well, we rely on each other to make decisions that require a healthy mix of both perspectives. We’re not just business partners; we’re learning from each other, growing together, calling out each other, and navigating this chaotic world of entrepreneurship as allies, supporting one another every step of the way. After all, every B1 needs a solid B2 (kaway muna sa mga 90s kids dyan na pinalaki ng bananas in pyjamas) to keep things balanced and sane—para walang gulo (minsan meron pero masaya)!

It may have been a tad overdue, but this serves as a public acknowledgment and appreciation on my end: Happy Hive will not be here standing strong without Cheska’s leadership and strengths. I’ve been leaning on her for ages—whether it’s work dilemmas or personal drama, kinda like having a personal therapist who also knows how to restructure a company (see her blog here)! It’s time for me to give back and do the same for her and for other people as well. Salamat nang marami. Sniff.

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