Ruby Ann Gonzales didn’t hesitate when she heard about HireSmart’s Leadership Academy. As a Client Accounting Specialist for a U.S. community association management agency, Ruby had already found professional satisfaction in her role. But when she heard fellow virtual employee, Ner Jan (Nerry) Ramos, share how the leadership class changed her life, Ruby knew she wanted more than just to read about the experience. She wanted to be part of it.
“When Nerry said that her life changed because of it, I wanted to join, too,” said Ruby. “I wanted to experience it. I don’t want just to read about the testimony or the experience she had. I wanted to be part of it as well.”
Ruby celebrated her first anniversary with HireSmart in September. Before HireSmart, she’d worked as a virtual assistant, a bookkeeper, and a telephone market researcher interviewing people in the United States. Those jobs were fine. But HireSmart offered something different.
“I really love how HireSmart put me in a position where I can grow professionally,” she says. “There’s nothing stagnant about my role. I am really learning every day, and it challenged me, and it really contributes to my growth, and that’s the thing that leads me to love it more, because I can see myself growing in it.”
That’s exactly why HireSmart co-founder Anne Lackey holds an annual leadership course. It gives virtual employees the skills and confidence they need to step into bigger roles.
The Vision Board That Made Her Cry
The Leadership Academy covers communication styles, goal setting, and time management. But for Ruby, the most powerful moment came from an unexpected place: making a vision board.
“When I was doing it, it made me cry,” she said. “It really made me cry because it made me emotional.”
Ruby had made a vision board once before, about 15 years ago when she was much younger. The academy activity brought those old dreams rushing back.
“With the activity we had in the Smarter Leadership Academy, it brings me back to the dreams I had before,” she said.
She filled her new board with ambitious goals. Save one million pesos for her family. Travel. Get fit. Go back to school. Buy a house and a car. Anne encouraged the class to dream big, and Ruby did.
Then something interesting happened.
“Since I made it, two of these came true already,” said Ruby. “Right after the Leadership Academy, I had my salary increase. Like, it’s not that much, but it is a salary increase. So, like, wow, you just have to just tell the universe “what do you want?” What’s your dream and aspirations? I am a living testimony of it.”
A few weeks later, her branch named her “Employee of the Month.” Another goal checked off.
Putting It Into Practice
Ruby works with 150 homeowners’ associations. She communicates with community managers about financial matters, interprets financial statements, processes corrections, and handles banking. The Leadership Academy gave her practical tools she uses every day.
One of the biggest lessons? Understanding different communication styles.
“I am applying this in my work,” she said. “Whenever I need to communicate to someone, I am assessing their communication style first. It leads me to have a more meaningful, more effective and more productive conversation with them.”
She also learned the importance of positive feedback and time management. Anne’s advice about commitment stuck with her.
“When you commit to something, put it in your calendar,” said Ruby. “That is what Anne said. So I am really living in it.”
A Life of Leadership
Ruby doesn’t just apply these lessons at work. On weekdays, she’s a Client Accounting Specialist working from her home in the Philippines. On weekends, she leads youth ministry through Couples for Christ, shaping young people’s spiritual lives.
She teaches the kids what she learned in the academy.
“I learned about speaking up for your dreams,” she said. “So whenever they have a wish, every time I see them wishing, praying, I’m telling them, don’t just wish for yourself, speak it out, and I’m just teaching them what I have learned about it.”
Ruby lives with her mother and younger brother, supporting her family while building her own future.
Why HireSmart Matters
For Ruby, the difference between HireSmart and freelancing comes down to one thing: security.
She’s part of Facebook communities for freelancers. She sees the posts. People get laid off after a week. Clients disappear. Income stops.
“When you are in a freelance world, there is no job security,” she says. “One thing that I have with HireSmart is job security. And the benefits, the Leadership Academy, the insurance, the other stuff of it, the community that we have created are just add-ons to what we have.”
HireSmart offers health and dental benefits, educational scholarships for employees’ children, a retirement plan, and financial support during crises. Virtual employees also become part of a supportive community with access to resources for personal and professional growth.
Ruby’s definition of leadership is straightforward: “Leaders have vision. Leaders know how to lead by example. And leaders don’t just lead. They have a vision, have dreams, and know how to plot things from that vision into reality.”
Paying It Forward
Ruby enthusiastically recommends the SMARTER Leadership Academy.
“I will recommend it 100%,” she said. “I did not settle with just reading about it. I experienced it as well. So, it is your time to experience it, too!”
She’s already encouraging colleagues to join the next cohort. And yes, she’d join again herself, though she hopes more people get the chance to experience what she did.
“I will be forever grateful to Anne for this,” said Ruby. “We want others to experience it as well.”
If this sounds like the right place for you, click here to apply to HireSmart Virtual Employees.
