The age-old debate of nature versus nurture continues to rage on. Still, in the wake of such unprecedented modern times, it has become increasingly clear that the environment in which someone grows up tremendously affects their outlook on life. For instance, many young professionals today have been shaped by a rapidly changing job market and a shift in work culture. With the rise of remote work, some have had to navigate challenges related to isolation, developing new strategies for collaboration and innovation without the physical presence of a team. This kind of environment plays a significant role in shaping how people view their careers, social connections, and even their personal development. 

This concept of one’s environment playing an integral role in coming to define them carries over into business as well. So often, founders are plagued by the instinctual bias ingrained in their mindset from only experiencing a limited degree of culture in their lifetime. Fortunately, Erika Aquino excels at honing in on these subconscious shortcomings, removing limitations, and applying a worldview lens that enables entrepreneurs to innovate without boundaries.

Erika’s Professional History

Erika is an experienced angel investor, strategic advisor, and passionate advocate for creating opportunities that drive positive change. With a background in public relations, business development, and marketing, she has ventured into co-owning an award-winning craft beer company, co-creating transformative travel experiences for first-generation college students, and championing educational access for Filipino students. She aims to ensure that anyone she works with adopts this international lens and identifies their opportunity to serve a bigger purpose with their organizations as a global citizen.

She has had a nearly three-decade-long career spanning marketing and business development across various sectors, including hospitality, media, education, and fintech. With this experience, she has now transitioned to focus her career on a strategic advisory capacity. Erika collaborates with first-time entrepreneurs as an angel investor, capitalizing on her unique expertise to help them develop a global perspective as they drive innovation.

Success as an Angel Investor

As an angel investor, Erika has supported 24 startups across five countries, focusing on sustainability, wellness, education, and the future of work. She is dedicated to backing women and minority entrepreneurs, empowering underrepresented voices in high-growth industries. Beyond her professional pursuits, Erika is committed to philanthropy, providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children and supporting underserved entrepreneurs. A world traveler, licensed scuba diver, and avid foodie, she embraces every opportunity to connect with others who share her passions for innovation and impact.

An International Perspective

Erika is based in the Philippines and frequently travels between global hubs. In this way, she continues to bring a global perspective that can be crucial for businesses in expanding internationally. She can provide international insights, and she’s also worked across industries and brings a critical perspective that will help companies think in new ways.

Specifically, she works with entrepreneurs to identify innate differences that would be completely invisible to most. For example, entrepreneurs in the US and the Philippines operate with entirely different motivators, which ultimately determine the organizational structure. In the US, they are solving first-world problems (organic food/wine, luxury skincare, etc.). In the Philippines, they are focused on driving the community (Airbnb for warehouses to make hydroponic farms). The difference lies primarily in the business mindset. Filipino entrepreneurs may prioritize community impact over profitability, while U.S. entrepreneurs tend to emphasize profit first

Final Thoughts

Business leaders and entrepreneurs are human, just like everyone else, and are ultimately a reflection of the environment in which they were raised. As a result, everyone will inevitably have some shortcomings and biases that they may not even be aware of. That’s where Erika Aquino comes in, bringing international and renowned sensibilities to help address these shortcomings and strengthen the business.

Erika says, “I am very proud of my career as an international angel investor, as well as my extensive tenure as a marketing professional.” She has combined her lifelong commitment to travel and her decades of professional expertise to help others achieve remarkable accomplishments. She concludes, “There is so much to be gained from applying a global mindset to any organization from the onset.”

Written in partnership with Tom White