Some conversations don’t just reaffirm why we do what we do—they energize our purpose.
Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting two of our newest team members on the podcast: Isabela Valenzuela from our HR team in the Philippines and Vince Garcia from Internal IT. And what a fun, inspiring conversation it was!
Isabela joined IT By Design in November as an HR Business Partner with Team GPS, and after four months, transitioned into a key role supporting our Philippine site operations. Her journey is a reflection of how we empower talent to evolve. What struck me most was her take on our company culture: diversity, transparency, and trust. For her, ITBD was the first time working so closely with people across geographies—and she said it’s been a game-changer for her communication skills and confidence.
The fact that there is a culture of openness and warmth that ITBD cultivates, anyone can reach out to senior leadership teams, with no barriers to communication, is truly motivating for her.
Vince, on the other hand, came aboard in January. As our go-to guy for internal tech support, he’s already become an essential part of the team. His take on culture? Growth and collaboration. He emphasized how training and continuous improvement are part of our DNA—and how even without a formal IT background, he felt empowered to jump in, learn, and grow.
We also talked about what makes ITBD different. For both Vince and Isabella, the answer was clear: we care about the whole person, not just the job title. Whether it’s Fun Thursdays, Life by Design Fridays, or 1:1 coaching sessions, they’ve experienced firsthand how we lead with heart. It reminded me why we created Life By Design—to support people in all areas of their life, from health and relationships to career and legacy.
It’s true. We are intentional in our efforts when we curate such programs that promote robust mental, physical, and spiritual health of our valued employees. Our greatest assets are the people who work relentlessly to make ITBD a thriving powerhouse.
We align strongly with our core values, which can be summed up with the acronym: “HAPPY”, which stands for Humility, Accountability, Positivity, Passion and Your Community.
And then came the real magic: the life lessons.
All In, always: Isabela’s Mantra
Isabela shared the wisdom passed down from her late mother: Give your 100%—or more. She talked about the power of passion, the importance of living life with no regrets, and the joy of solving problems for people. She lives by her mother’s philosophy in both spirit and action. She aspires to give her 100% in all that she does and will do. Her story resonated with me. A life lived best is a one without any regrets. And it only happens when you put your best foot forward every day!
Everything for a Reason—Vince’s Leap of Faith
What stayed with Vince was a quote from his manager – ‘Manu’: “Everything happens for a reason—and it happens for good.” This powerful philosophy enables us to move forward with grit; taking challenges head-on without throwing in the towel.
Coming from a background, Vince admitted he once doubted his transition into IT. But those early experiences, he realized, shaped him into the people-oriented, eager learner he has become today. His other favorite quote? You don’t have to be great to start, you just have to start to be great.
That’s the entrepreneurial spark we thrive on—and the very mindset we’re committed to igniting in every single team member at IT By Design.
More Than Just a Podcast
Guess what? We ended the podcast on a fun note—with the “Chicken Banana” dance! Yes, there was a dance tutorial involved. Yes, I did my best. The team did a great job! I love finding lessons in everything—and this game was a loud and clear reminder: teamwork makes the magic happen.
At the end of the day, it’s stories like these that remind me why we built IT By Design the way we did. When you invest in your people’s whole self—not just their skillset—you get passion, performance, and purpose in return.
To Vince and Isabela—thank you for your energy, insights, and authenticity. I’m truly excited to see your journeys unfold.
Here’s to growing together—personally and professionally!
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