Meet Hera Jalbuena | Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hera Jalbuena and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hera, how do you think about risk?
Without taking any risk, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. I’m an immigrant in the Houston area came to America in 2006, wanted to make my family life easier so I started working 2 to 3 jobs because I wasn’t satisfied with just one job. I would risk everything to do whatever it takes to support my family. I would risk away shyness and stay strong and confident to pursue new things in life that would help generate income.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started working in the hotel industry back in 2011. I knew that if I had to make it far, I needed to start from the bottom and work my way up. I started Inn Fullerton California working for a full service Holiday Inn hotel as a sales coordinator then got promoted to sales manager. After three years, I reached a job offer in Houston, Texas as director of sales. I moved my whole family back to Texas for a better life and affordability. I worked for two previous employers collectively for nearly 11 years. Finally, this year, I wanted to make a change I wanted to grow, I wanted myself to succeed further as a regional director of sales for a growing hotel management company (Meridian Heights Management), which I have recently joined about a week ago. I have always kept the hustle alive even with a career. I also do my best to try and make money on the side. I started in October 2024 of doing beauty influencing on TikTok and Instagram. I have nearly 25,000 followers with brand deals through makeup and skin care products.. I am able to help make solid honest recommendations for products that actually work to many. Professionally I am absolutely proud of coming a long way in the hotel industry and will not stop growing until I get tired of growing.. This is the mindset that my grandmother has instilled in me as she raised me born and raised in the Philippines with having “old soul” values in life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am in East side type of girly in the Houston area. First, I will take them to good ol’ cracker barrell, then take them for Rudy’s for BBQ with brisket, sausage and ribs, then I will make sure they have a good tour at the NASA space center in Houston. We are very proud of having NASA facilities in our backyard. I am a football fan so next step I will take them to the NRG stadium and watch a Texans game for sure! Also, right by the energy Stadium is one of the best fried chicken, fast food joints called Jollibee, which is a staple in the Filipino community with the best batter & crunch in town!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
All the credit has to go to a person that I have known for 18 years and that is none other than Diane Ortega who is my mother-in-law who is also a person filled with wisdom, perseverance, kind, generous, “common sense” knowledge, and overall has been a lifeline of continuous support throughout the years, especially when facing difficult life challenges, this lady has always been on my side since day one.

Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@hera_filipina?_t=ZP-8yzn77hA49X&_r=1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hera_filipina?igsh=MWt0Z2k5djc2cTFvZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hera-jalbuena