Meet Jenine Cinco

We recently connected with Jenine Cinco and have shared our conversation below.

Jenine, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I truly developed my confidence and self-esteem when I committed to showing up for myself consistently—even on the days I was tired and tempted to just relax and watch a movie.

At the beginning of last year, I was constantly fatigued, irritated, and found little joy in anything. It felt like I was slipping into depression. I knew that something in my routine was contributing to how I felt, so I decided to make a change. The first step was deactivating my social media, which helped a bit, but I still felt off. That’s when I discovered a fitness coach on Instagram whose approach really resonated with me. Her program was structured with just two weeks of workouts and customized meal plans at a time, and you had to check in regularly. That kind of accountability sparked something in me, so I took it day by day.

As I stayed consistent over the next two weeks, I started to feel a sense of excitement about what changes the next phase would bring. Before I knew it, I had completed the full 8-week program.

Why is this important? The biggest surprise wasn’t just the physical results—it was the sense of accomplishment I felt from simply showing up for myself five times a week. I realized that my confidence wasn’t about wearing certain clothes or fitting into societal standards; it was about the pride I felt in my commitment and discipline. After the program, I felt proud of my body and empowered to wear whatever I wanted, no longer bound by the need to hide in conservative, black outfits.

The takeaway? Show up for yourself daily and stay disciplined for at least two months. You’ll be amazed at how this small window of dedication can completely transform not just your body, but your mind and confidence as well.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I grew up in the Philippines and moved to the United States when I was 17. The transition was definitely a challenge. Not only did I have to become fluent in English, but I also had to understand cultural nuances like sarcasm and humor. Despite the difficulties, I saw the incredible opportunities that this new country offered. Back home, I had never volunteered for leadership roles, but in this new chapter of my life, I decided to reinvent myself. I started signing up for leadership positions in school organizations, which helped me build friendships and connections that still matter to me today. I learned how to drive, got my first job, and all of these experiences contributed to where I am now.

Reinventing myself didn’t come without its struggles. There were moments when it felt like I was betraying my old self, letting go of the person I once was. But with time, I reframed my mindset: we can always reinvent ourselves whenever we choose. This realization brought me comfort, knowing that I am in control of my life and my personal brand.

Currently, I’m on a journey toward financial freedom, aiming to achieve it within the next 10 years. I started with around $30,000 in debt and now have a six-figure net worth—independent of my husband’s. This isn’t to boast, but to show that even with a modest income, it’s possible. I didn’t earn six figures a year, but I leveraged real estate, made smart investments, and practiced mindful spending.

Real estate has become a passion of mine. I originally got my license for personal investments, but I soon realized I loved the sales aspect and was good at it. This allowed me to quit my full-time job for two years, during which I replaced my salary completely through real estate. However, after three years, the constant rejections from sales calls led me to lose interest, and I eventually returned to corporate America.

At first, I saw it as a setback, but now I view it as a strategic pivot to take my career to greater heights. Since returning to the corporate world, I’ve been promoted three times in a year, thanks to the dedication and work ethic I developed as an entrepreneur. I now see my job as an investor in my business, and I’m grateful for both.

There are many exciting developments on the horizon, but I’m keeping them under wraps for now. Rest assured, I’m on track to reach my financial freedom within the timeline I’ve set.

Join along my journey on my YouTube channel, ‘Self Redefined,’ where I share my day-to-day life and talk about personal growth, empowerment, and finding balance.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Challenges are your friend
2. Boundaries protect you, so use it often
3. Stay humble and true

Read books on emotional intelligence, real estate investing, simple investing in stocks and mutual funds, and sales books (we are always selling ourselves daily – ie meeting new friends, business partners, and at job interviews etc).

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes! If you’re on the same boat as I am, let’s build a community of women in their 30s who loves investing, under-consuming, going to the gym, going on walks, planning trips, discovering new things to do, working a day job whilst building a real estate business on the side and a social media business. Let’s be financially free!

The goal is to not feel too lonely in this journey and I would love to share/bounce ideas with.

Contact Info:

• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@theselfredefined?si=jC_qOzOS2qD7sWzm
• Other: https://www.har.com/web/jeninecinco

Image Credits

Luis Waldo (professional portrait photo)