An Aussie expat has found success with a serviced office business in the Philippines.
After two years at Corporate Executive Offices, Alesya Folley left Melbourne five years ago at just 24 with a vision to assist Australian expats looking to break into the Asian market.
“I saw an opportunity to invest in the Philippines as it sits at the gateway to other more established Asian locations, however the developing nature of the country meant there hadn’t yet been a major push to create opportunities here for Australian-based businesses,” says Folley.
Folley saw this opportunity while on holidays, and arrived back in Australia with an idea to pitch to Corporate Executive Offices.
Soon after, the company expanded its operations into the Philippines with Folley at the helm.
“My first client was an Australian businessman who I met on the plane on the way over to the Philippines. Today we have grown by 200 percent year upon year,” says Folley.
“As an expat myself, I think business owners place their trust in me as a fellow Australian and hearing that friendly Aussie accent on the other end of phone or desk allows them to relax and know we are providing a quality service that can be relied upon.”
Folley’s passion for expat life has seen her sit on the committee of the Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, where she organises regular social events, and helps expats establish professional and personal networks.
“The Philippines has opened up so many opportunities for me,” she says.
