Many dream of achieving career success abroad, but only a few have the resilience to navigate the challenges that come with it. For Nikkolai S. Palaming, the journey from the Philippines to becoming a Digital Brand Marketing Manager at Kcal World in Dubai was anything but easy.
At just 21 years old, Nikkolai made a bold decision to leave behind a promising career at PLDT, where she was already managing a team of eight as an Area Team Leader. “I had a pretty good job with a decent salary,” she shared with The Global Filipino Magazine.
“But there was something about Dubai that captivated me.” Inspired by stories of her cousins who traveled the world from the city, she took a leap of faith and used her savings to start fresh in the UAE.
Like many first-time expatriates, she faced an uphill battle. “The first two months were incredibly tough,” she admitted. “Finding a job here was extremely challenging, especially for someone like me with no Gulf experience.” She sent out countless applications and endured multiple rejections. However, instead of giving in to frustration, she saw the period as an opportunity for growth. “I wasn’t the type to give up easily. I knew that with persistence and hard work, I could turn things around.”
Determined to improve her prospects, she dedicated her time to learning new skills. Digital marketing was on the rise, and she saw its potential. “I knew that by fully immersing myself in it, I could potentially stand out from the other candidates,” she said. Her dedication paid off when she landed a role as a Digital Marketing Executive at a startup software company.
“It was daunting at first,” she admitted. “I had little to no working knowledge of the field.” Yet, she embraced the challenge, wearing multiple hats and learning as much as she could. From web and graphic design to SEO, SEM, and social media marketing, she absorbed everything with an eagerness to grow. “Along the way, I was fortunate to have incredible mentors and leaders who constantly challenged me to improve.”
After five years of relentless hard work, she earned a promotion to Digital Marketing Manager for a Manchester-based education company. But she knew that success in Dubai required continuous learning. “I quickly realized that continuous self-improvement was the key to staying relevant,” she said. With that mindset, she made yet another bold decision—to pursue an Executive MBA at the SP Jain School of Global Management.
Balancing a full-time job with postgraduate studies was no easy feat. “My weekdays were spent working, while my weekends were dedicated to attending classes from 1:30 PM to 8:30 PM,” she shared. “On top of that, I juggled pre-readings, assignments, group projects, and other coursework for a year and eight months.” She sacrificed family gatherings, annual leaves, and countless hours of sleep to stay at the top of her class. As the only Filipino student, she carried an unspoken responsibility. “I felt an obligation to represent and make my country proud.”
Her hard work paid off when she graduated in May 2024 at their Singapore campus. This milestone opened doors for her to transition into the B2C sector, ultimately leading her to Kcal World, a brand that aligns with her passion for wellness and innovation. “In my current company, I have the freedom to innovate, think entrepreneurially, and execute impactful initiatives,” she said. “What drives me most is the purpose behind our work—helping people feel healthier, live better, and enjoy life to the fullest with their loved ones.”
One of the standout moments in her career was leading Kcal’s first-ever activation, the Kcal Run. “With an incredible post-run event, we partnered with an amazing community, Belong DXB, along with other great brands such as Squatwolf, Frio, Medcare, Kinetika, Spring, and Fuel-Up,” she said. Bringing people together on an early Saturday morning to embrace an active lifestyle was a defining moment for her. “Witnessing people push beyond their limits and commit to wellness was truly rewarding.”
Even after a year with the company, Nikkolai is far from complacent. “There is so much more I want to do,” she said. “More initiatives, more opportunities to inspire, and more ways to help people live healthier, more fulfilling lives.”
