People are always looking for ways to boost their finances through passive income streams, sometimes even wearing and juggling multiple hats! In this episode of Money Talks, Marah Arcilla, a yoga instructor, dancer, and brewery founder, shares her life lessons and values on money.

 

 

1) Tell us a bit about yourself! 

 

Hello everyone! My name is Marah and I've been a yoga instructor and dancer my whole life. I’ve been dancing since I was five years old.  When you’re young, people generally ask what you want to be in life.  Everyone I knew would say becoming a “doctor” of “lawyer”. However, for me, I always wanted to be a dancer. With yoga, I think it’s a universal experience. I found yoga when I was at a low point in my life. The meditation and inner workings that happened while I was on mat gave me the tools to turn my life around. 

 

 

 

2) How has yoga shaped your perspective on money?

 

The attitude of contentment. After practicing yoga, I don't have as much of a fear of missing out. It's like prioritizing. What are the things you can live without? And if you just live simply, you can still be happy!

 

 

3) What motivated you to start your own business?

 

I wanted to establish my own brewery on an island in the Philippines since my aunt already runs a brewery in Palau (another island in the Philippines). For me, brewing was a way for me to earn an income on the island. So, I decided to start a distribution company. 

 

 

 

4) What is the biggest investment you’ve made in your business?

 

For me, the biggest investment was actually buying an apartment in the Philippines. My ex-husband and I both know that we couldn’t afford a flat in Hong Kong for sure, off the salary of a yoga teacher alone. So we wanted to buy an apartment in Manila and rent it out. We could then use the rent income to pay the mortgage. After we got divorced, I decided to use the deposit to invest and open a distribution company for my Auntie’s craft beer. 

 

 

5) Has opening a brewery changed your perspective on money?

 

Well, my mom doesn’t think my career as a yoga teacher is a real job. When I told her I'm a yoga teacher, she said: “So you want to be poor for the rest of your life?” She was prepared for me to live with her for a long time! Nonetheless, I love my work so much. In fact, we spend more than we earn because of all the clothes and things we pay for when we’re younger in order to train as a dancer. I've always accepted the fact that with the work that I do, I will never have a lot of money. So I said, well, that's a shame, but that’s the reality. But I also thought that for me to be able to continue what I love to do, I need to have another income stream to support myself. However, even if I have a lot of money, I won’t stop teaching yoga and dancing because I really love it!

 

 

6) How has your family background influenced your views on money? 

 

In the Philippines, parents view having children as a form of investment. They think that when they retire, their children will pay for everything else. I told my sister that that has to change. Actually, I first told my mom that when she retires, I’m not going to look after her. Your children are not your source of income after retirement. I also don’t like the practice of borrowing money and the attitude people have of being in debt for their entire life. The cycle of being debt-ridden has to end! The moment I paid off my credit card debt, I felt so relieved! I want to be self-sufficient. 

 

 

7) What are some of the challenges you have faced as a business founder? 

 

Lack of experience in running a business. I’ve always been more of a creative person. Even though I have a clear plan when it comes to dance training or classes for my yoga students, I did not have a very clear plan for opening up a business. Thankfully, my business partners are very supportive. They actually just let me run things. They never blame me when I fail, because failure is always a learning experience.

 

 

8) What is your money goal? 

 

In the future, I want to buy my auntie’s brewery. She can use that money to retire and live in a beachfront property. So I want to help her retire early and while I still have a lot of energy, I can take over the business. Hopefully, if they let me, also to expand it.

 

 

9) What does money mean to you?

 

What does money mean to me? It's an exchange of energy? Or services. It’s what I give and what my worth is. Through money, other people in return give their worth to me.

 

 

 

10) If we gave you HK$10 million, what would you do with it? 

 

You’re kidding! 10 million dollars! I’d buy a whole island!  Just kidding! I’d buy land so I can set up the brewery. And then I'd start a farm because it would provide opportunities for other people. This way, my countrymen (Filipinos) will no longer have to leave the country and work menial jobs to make a living. I really want to create opportunities here on the island so people won’t be separated from their families.

 

For a hassle-free way to get extra passive income, learn more about what AQUMON can do for you today! Make your money work harder, so you can enjoy life better!

 

 

 

 

 

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