Eduard Ortega spent years building a solid career in the corporate world. As a Certified Management Accountant (Australia) and founder of Remotely Philippines, he knew the accounting and audit landscape inside and out. But while the career path was stable, something was missing.
“I was doing well in my corporate role, but over time, I felt boxed in,” Ortega says. “I wanted more freedom, more creativity, and work that was aligned with my purpose.”
That desire led him to take one of the biggest risks of his life: leaving a secure job to launch his own firm.
The transition wasn’t easy. “When you leave the structure of employment, everything is on you,” Ortega shares. “I had to learn how to build systems from scratch, manage people, and market services—skills that go far beyond what they teach in accounting school.”
But Ortega didn’t jump blindly. He applied the same analytical mindset that served him in finance to map out his business journey. He leaned on project management principles, refined his client engagement process, and continuously sharpened his leadership skills. “The technical side helped,” he says, “but what really mattered was resilience and adaptability.”
One of the biggest lessons? Learning to embrace discomfort. “In corporate life, there’s predictability. In business, there’s none. You have to make decisions without having all the data, and still lead with confidence.”
What helped guide him was a framework he swears by: Ikigai—the Japanese principle that combines what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. “Ikigai gave me clarity. It made sure I wasn’t just chasing profit—I was building something meaningful.”
Now, through Remotely Philippines, Ortega helps companies worldwide streamline financial operations while creating remote career opportunities for Filipino professionals. “It’s about adding value, not just running a business,” he says.
His advice to those considering the same leap? “Don’t romanticize entrepreneurship. It’s hard—but it’s also deeply fulfilling. If you’re prepared to learn fast, lead with purpose, and stay adaptable, the rewards are worth it.”
Looking back, Ortega doesn’t regret a thing. “Leaving the corporate path was scary,” he says. “But it led me to the kind of impact I always wanted to make.”
