Meet Christine Emano

We were lucky to catch up with Christine Emano recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Christine, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

My ability to take risks has grown from a mix of hope, curiosity, and belief in myself. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about who I am and what I’m capable of. I take risks that I know I am capable of overcoming—no matter the outcome. So if things don’t go as planned, I know I’ll figure it out and make it work. I’ve always believed that we can always choose better experiences and more, and the only way to discover it is by taking a leap.

Freelancing was my first big test of that mindset. I didn’t have the comfort of a steady paycheck, and I was suddenly my own boss. Going solo made me trust myself more, and that the more I pushed through uncertainty, the more I built confidence. Clients loved working with me, and I realized that the risk wasn’t so much in leaving but in trusting my own ability to deliver, grow, and adapt.

Starting my own business was another leap, but this time I knew I could create something worthwhile. I used what I learned from freelancing—how to build relationships, create value, and stay adaptable—to lay a solid foundation.

Now, I am in a different country without the comfort of my family and friends, pursuing a higher degree while growing my business. It’s challenging, but I’ve realized that the outcome of risks isn’t always guaranteed—what is guaranteed is growth. I’ve met new friends who inspire me, connected with people from different cultures, and learned that there’s so much more to this world. Despite the challenges of navigating a new city and a new life, I embraced it as an opportunity to create a new routine and discover more about myself.

To be honest, I am always scared. But I just know that I couldn’t achieve growth by staying still, and I hold onto the belief in myself and accepting that whatever comes my way, I can navigate it and keep moving forward. I believe that when you trust in your ability to grow, you find courage to take risks even when the future feels uncertain.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I founded my own production start-up called C/E Productions and Events, based in the Philippines. We manage everything from concept development to video production or event productions, and post-production. What I love about this work is the opportunity to collaborate with incredibly talented people, provide meaningful jobs, and, above all, create something new. Our projects range from videos, photoshoots, event productions, and brand activations, and I take joy in delivering fresh, innovative work—not only for our clients but also for the amazing team behind the scenes.

One of the reasons I started my own venture was to have the autonomy to execute productions that feel fulfilling and to choose projects and clients who respect my team, rather than tolerating overly stressful environments, which was pretty common in this line of work. It’s important to me that everyone involved finds joy in the process, whether they’re part of the creative team or handling logistics. This positive approach makes the entire experience rewarding for both the team and our clients, creating a space where creativity thrives and everyone feels valued and emotionally safe. I deeply value the people who work behind the scenes, and I make it a priority to take care of them as much as I can.

I was also involved in creative producing, project management, and copywriting as a freelancer. I worked with major brands in the Philippines and startup companies in the USA. This experience allowed me to blend creativity with strategy, and I loved the challenge of working with diverse brands and bringing their concepts to life.

Currently, I am pursuing my MBA at City University of Seattle. Alongside my studies, I work in the international recruitment department, helping students find the right opportunities to further their education. My MBA journey has been important in helping me develop my skills further, and the experience of studying along different cultures has been enriching.

Lastly, I am the founding president of the Net Impact City University Chapter, a nonprofit organization focused on creating positive social impact. We just started this year, and currently we are developing projects aimed at uplifting our community and promoting sustainable practices. I am very passionate about using my skills and experience to give back and implement projects that can help the community. I recognize that these opportunities come from the privilege I have, and I want to ensure that I contribute in every way I can.

I strive not just to excel in my work, but to be someone who genuinely cares about the impact I can make, and about the people around me. Whether it’s in production, education, or community service, I want to do my best to ensure that the work I do leaves a positive mark.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

There are many important qualities people often mention in professional environments—being visionary, confident, innovative, and all the typical business jargon. But I wasn’t all that. To be honest, being a leader and starting my own business wasn’t something I initially saw myself doing. I’ve always been a bit shy. I stutter when I speak, and there are moments when I don’t feel as confident as others perceive me to be. Before, I thought I just needed to be louder, more assertive. But I’ve learned that leadership doesn’t always mean being the loudest in the room. And so I’ve leaned into my own strengths, and that’s made all the difference.

With this realization, I believe that one of the most important qualities is self-awareness. It’s the foundation for everything else because when you know who you are, you can better navigate challenges, build on your strengths, and recognize where you need support. Accepting that I don’t have to possess every trait made me kinder to myself. It allowed me to focus on my strengths rather than trying to be everything at once.

Another key quality is the ability to handle conflict with grace and gentleness – both in personal life and work. In my experience in production and events, things don’t always go exactly as planned. Staying flexible, remaining calm, and approaching problems with a gentle but firm hand have helped me keep things moving smoothly without losing my sense of composure.

Lastly, trust. Trusting myself, trusting others, and trusting the process. When you trust yourself, you know you’re capable of handling whatever comes your way. And when you trust others—your team, your collaborators—you allow space for growth and creativity to flourish. No one can do it all alone, and trusting the people around you is what makes real success possible. Past experiences can sometimes make it hard to trust others, but I’ve learned that if something doesn’t work out or if someone lets you down, it says more about them than it does about you. That’s why, whether personally or professionally, I do my best to extend my trust—because without it, there can be no growth.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

I think my biggest area of growth over the past 12 months has been improving my emotional intelligence, particularly when it comes to my reactions at work. I used to feel anxious and worried when faced with tight deadlines or challenging interactions with co-workers. Now, I’ve become more intentional about recognizing my feelings, taking a moment to sit with them, and ensuring that my reactions don’t hurt others, while continuing to give grace and respect.

Another important area of growth for me has been developing cultural intelligence alongside emotional intelligence. While it’s important to be emotionally aware, I’ve realized that emotions are deeply embedded in the culture we come from. Emotional intelligence on its own can sometimes fall short when navigating diverse cultural contexts. Over the past year—moving to a new country, pursuing a higher degree, and connecting with people from various backgrounds—I’ve learned that understanding emotional dynamics within different cultural contexts is just as crucial as recognizing emotions in your own. Cultural awareness has helped me broaden my perspective and respond more effectively in diverse settings.

I’ve also developed the ability to be more open and create space for new experiences. I’ve recognized the biases and perceptions I held, rooted in my culture and past experiences. I’ve learned to identify when an old pattern or belief needs to be challenged, and when I notice that a habit isn’t serving me anymore, I know it’s time to let it go. While there has been grief in letting go, there’s also been room for growth and better experiences. It’s exciting to know that there’s still so much more to discover, and I’m eager to keep learning and growing!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christineemano/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineemano/