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Starting a business from scratch is never easy. It’s an overwhelming, soul-searching journey that demands every ounce of your energy, time, and sometimes even your peace of mind. But what happens when you don’t have the luxury of a big team? What if it’s just you, your nephew, and a handful of individuals trying to make it work with limited resources and even fewer hands to help? This is the story of how Nextsphere began — and how we continue to rise, no matter the challenges.

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When I first decided to build this business, I had the vision, the heart, and the drive to make it happen. But that’s just the start. The reality of running a company is a harsh wake-up call. It wasn’t long before I realized that being the sole workforce — with only a few people to support me — was not going to be easy. The weight of every decision, every small mistake, and every task fell solely on my shoulders. I was the strategist, the executor, the accountant, and the customer service representative — all at once.

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I wasn’t alone, though. My nephew, AJ Cabanos, stood by my side, helping with whatever he could. But he was young, just starting his journey, and needed guidance — not just in the technicalities of running a business but in understanding the heart and soul of the work we do. Together, we were a small team, fighting our way through each day, learning from every setback.

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The journey wasn’t without its bumps. More than once, we slipped. Small administrative errors — missed emails, overlooked deadlines, and mismanaged paperwork — almost cost us clients. At times, I could feel the frustration of clients who expected more, clients who wondered if we were truly capable because of those little slip-ups. Those mistakes felt like setbacks, moments where we questioned our own abilities, wondering if we had what it took to move forward.

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But here’s the thing — those mistakes didn’t define us. They were lessons, teaching us what we needed to improve, how we needed to grow. We could have easily given up, made excuses, or folded under the pressure. But quitting wasn’t an option. For us, every failure was just another opportunity to rise stronger.

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We knew the road ahead would be long and challenging, but we didn’t stop. Instead, we focused on building a solid foundation, brick by brick, with every lesson and every effort pushing us forward. Slowly, but surely, we started to turn things around. We learned from the mistakes that once haunted us, fine-tuning our systems, processes, and our approach to business. And more importantly, we brought in the right people — amazing individuals who shared our passion, vision, and drive. Each person who joined our team became a cornerstone in our foundation, helping us grow and expand in ways we never thought possible.

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Now, as we look at what we’ve built, I can say with pride that we’ve come a long way. What started with a handful of people, including my nephew AJ, has turned into something truly special. Our foundation is stronger than ever, and our team — our true family — is better than anything I could have imagined.

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AJ, who once stood beside me as a young apprentice, is now under my wing, learning everything it takes to lead this company. He’s not just being trained in operations and management. I’m teaching him how to be an exceptional leader — someone who understands that business isn’t just about profits. It’s about relationships. It’s about making our clients feel like family. It’s about ensuring they feel respected, valued, and heard at every step. AJ is learning to make decisions that not only serve the business but serve the people who make it all possible — our clients.

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One day, AJ will take over this company. He will lead with the same passion, the same integrity, and the same unwavering commitment to excellence that we have always strived for. But more than that, he will lead with the understanding that business is about human connections. It’s about making people feel welcome, cared for, and supported. That’s what I want him to know, and that’s the legacy I want him to carry forward.

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Because to us, business is more than just business. It’s about building relationships, fostering trust, and taking care of those who trust us with their needs. Our clients are not just clients; they are part of our extended family. They are the people who believed in us when we were still learning, still growing, still making mistakes. They are the people who gave us the chance to prove ourselves, and we will never forget that. We respect them. We adore them. And most of all, we take care of them.

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I would also like to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the people who have been instrumental in helping me shape this vision. Frances Blackie, Coraline Dufroux, and a shark business tycoon — who has guided me through this journey — have been incredible mentors. Their advice, support, and belief in our potential gave us the strength to keep pushing forward when we thought we couldn’t. I would also like to extend my thanks to Erica Tamparong, who has been by my side from the very beginning. Her dedication and unwavering loyalty to this cause have been invaluable.

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We may have started small. We may have made mistakes along the way. But we’ve learned, we’ve grown, and we’ve built something that stands strong today. And we will continue to build, one brick at a time, with the people who have supported us — our family, our clients, and our team.

It’s not about how you start. It’s about how you rise, how you learn, how you build. And we’re just getting started.

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So to anyone who’s thinking of starting their own business, to anyone who feels overwhelmed by the weight of doing it all on their own, remember this: the journey is tough, but every setback is a chance to grow. And with the right people by your side — even if it’s just a small team — you can build something incredible. You just have to keep going, keep learning, and most importantly, keep believing in the dream.