We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elee Joven a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Elee, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I would love to leave a legacy based on learning and curiosity. For me, learning is not just about having technical knowledge or intellect. Rather, it is having an awareness of differences in opinion, culture, language, experiences, beliefs, and values. I am constantly working on my personal development which allows me to stay open-minded. Learning serves as a motivation in my day-to-day.

The second is authenticity, not just externally, but more importantly, to myself. Being authentic means being able to admit or accept my limitations or mistakes, and not afraid of sharing vulnerability.

I also strive to make an impact through action or deeds. I regularly volunteer time with local non-profit organizations, share knowledge or tips with others, listen intently while having a genuine interest in others, and strive for lifelong relationships.

And last but not the least, gratitude. For me, being grateful is about appreciation and respect. Although material things make life convenient, it is the intangibles that mean the most, or as others call it – the simple things in life.

Because of these four core values – curiosity, authenticity, making an impact, gratitude – I am living my best life!

Elee, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am originally from the island of Guam, a US territory located in the Pacific Ocean with less than 200,000 people. Growing up, I was educated in both Guam and the Philippines. This childhood experience has brought cross-cultural insights and perspectives, contributing to my curiosity and love of learning.

As a child, my dream was to become a businessperson even though I was pressured by my grandmother to become a doctor, attorney, or engineer, a common expectation coming from a Filipino background back in the 1980s. However, that dream was put to the test when I became a young mother at 18 and had to balance out being a student and worker.

In 2000, I married a man who wasn’t the father of my kids. We relocated to California just four months after the wedding, something completely unplanned for me. Fortunately, I found a profession in real estate finance which became my career for the next 20 years.

Today, I am a network marketer/social seller, a travel advisor, and hold a full-time corporate job in commercial real estate. As a network marketer, I help others start their own travel business. As a travel advisor, I book vacations, create packages, advise on and book cruises, destination getaways, experiences, tours, sporting events, and so much more. My goal is to help others experience and create lasting memories from what the rest of the world has to offer.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2022, I resigned from my employer of 10 years and took a risk to rejoin a previous employer whom I thought was going to be a better opportunity. Unbeknownst to me then, that move would turn out to be the beginning of a big redirection. Long story short, it was a mistake but a blessing in disguise. I lasted one month on the job and felt so much regret from leaving my previous employer who would not take me back. I became so depressed that I cried every day for two months, and I rarely ever cry.

Considering that I am in my late 40s, applying for a job in this technology and algorithm-filled world was all new to me. The competition out there was fierce! I must have applied to a hundred positions and received only 5 interviews. No one hired me. Then one day, a recruiter from Texas found me in the online space. I went through the motions and accepted an offer for a contract position in commercial real estate, a field I had not even considered. Just 3 months into the contract role, I decided to also open my business as a travel advisor and network marketer partly because I was afraid that I may not be hired into a permanent role, but mostly because of my passion for travel.

Had I never left my company of 10 years, I would likely still be doing what I had been doing for over 20 years. If the job I went to in 2022 had been a win/win, I likely would not be a travel advisor and network marketer today. That hard pivot in 2022 allowed me to explore different sources of income streams and establish insightful relationships with other business owners. Having a business part-time has had a positive impact to my dreams, goals, vision, mission, and outlook for the future. What I have learned is that when one door closes, there are hundreds of other doors just waiting for you to unlock them! You just have to take action!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Oh, yes! Accepting rejection.

When it came to work or school, I felt I was always giving so much more than what was expected or required. I would research things, provide detailed explanations, and have back-up solutions for the “what if” situations. Because of this, rejection was a difficult thing for me to accept.

It was not until I was diagnosed in 2019 with anxiety and depression and attended cognitive behavioral therapy sessions (CBT) that I learned perfectionism was a leading source to my anxiety. I still remember being in denial when my doctor gave me the diagnosis back then.  Today, rather than taking rejection personally or letting it affect me negatively, I view rejection as a learning experience. Receiving a “No” can simply mean it is a No based on today’s circumstances. We are all constantly evolving. I have learned to take those rejections and turn them into wisdom.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eleejoven.inteletravel.com/booktravel.cfm
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeysjourneysjourneys/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onlyelee/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elee-joven-745b2523/
• Twitter: https://www.plannetmarketing.com/eleetravels
• Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087196883302
• Yelp: https://www.tiktok.com/@journeysjourneysjourneys?lang=en
• Other:

Image Credits
n/a. All my photos are from my own phone.