By EXCEL V. DYQUIANGCO

Amid the serene Arizona desert, Sixteen Ramos contemplates her next adventure. Having built a network marketing empire of 100,000 distributors before pivoting to preserving French castles, her journey from diplomatic aspirant to digital storyteller to château preservationist exemplifies the power of following one’s unique path.

Growing up in Manila with parents who valued education and world exposure, Sixteen pursued a bachelor’s degree in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs at De La Salle-College of Benilde. Though initially eyeing a career in law, her true passion lay in cultural affairs and international relations. “I was fascinated by how different nations survive and thrive and interact with each other,” she recalls.

Her path to entrepreneurship came naturally, though unexpectedly. “I became a business owner because I love that you can make a living doing something you love without having to answer to someone else,” she explains. This desire for independence would become a recurring theme in her career.

In 2011, Sixteen ventured into network marketing, despite having “zero entrepreneurship background.” Her breakthrough came in 2015 through social media marketing, building a network that generated seven-figure annual revenues selling skincare and anti-aging products. Rather than pushing products, she posted content that resonated with people seeking independence and personal growth.

By 2019, despite her success, Sixteen felt ready for change. After marrying Monte Schumacher, an American serial entrepreneur, and moving to Portland, she launched her personal brand and created the StorySelling™ Masterclass. This six-month program teaches business owners how to generate revenue through emotional storytelling combined with sales psychology.

Today, Sixteen and Monte are embarking on their latest venture: Saving Castles, a project dedicated to preserving French châteaux. This mission combines their shared passions for historical preservation, storytelling, and cultural heritage.

[Read the full story in our latest issue of MoneySense Magazine, where Sixteen shares her insights on building authentic brands, preserving cultural heritage, and finding success through storytelling.]

Note: This cover story originally appears in the October-December 2024 issue of MoneySense Magazine.

StorySelling™ is a trademark of Sixteen Ramos

Editorial: Navigating Rising Costs in Challenging Times

As inflation continues to impact Filipino households, with prices of basic goods and services steadily climbing, this special issue comes at a crucial moment. Our focus is both timely and necessary: how to protect our purchasing power and maintain financial stability in an environment where every peso seems to buy less than it did yesterday.

Recent data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas paints a challenging picture. With inflation affecting everything from groceries to transportation, from utilities to housing costs, Filipino families are feeling the squeeze on their budgets.

Key Strategies We Explore:

Immediate Action Steps:

• Audit your spending patterns to identify where inflation hits hardest
• Focus on reducing utility costs through smart consumption
• Consider switching to cheaper alternatives for nonessential items
• Build an emergency fund that accounts for rising prices
• Look for additional income sources to supplement earnings

Long-term Protection Strategies:

• Understand how different investment vehicles can hedge against inflation
• Learn when property investment makes sense as an inflation hedge
• Master the strategic use of credit while avoiding debt traps
• Build and maintain a strong credit score for better financial options
• Develop multiple income streams for financial resilience

In This Issue (October – December 2024):

PLAN

• How to Cut Your Monthly Utility Bills by Carlos Gonzales
• Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards by Andy Cruz
• Primer: Credit Scores & Credit Reports by Carlos Gonzales
• Primer: Pag-IBIG Benefits 20 by Carla Concepcion

COVER STORIES

• From Skincare to Saving Castles: The Remarkable Entrepreneurial Journey of Sixteen Ramos by Excel V. Dyquiangco
• Know Your Consumer Rights by Carla Concepcion
• The Psychology of Spending: Understanding Your Financial Behavior by Carlos Gonzales

INVEST

• Stock Market 101: Portfolio Rebalancing Techniques by Carlos Gonzales
• Real Estate 101: Flipping vs. Buy and Hold by Carla Concepcion

SPEND

• Holiday Shopping on a Budget by Carla Concepcion