AS the saying goes, “It’s a long way to the top.” Unless you’re born into fame or wealth, you have to work hard to achieve your dreams. The journey of Melvin Dave Jordan, a self-labeled artist, director, and entrepreneur, is proof of that very mantra. 

Melvin’s been making waves since he was a Senior High School student at the University of Santo Tomas. Inspired by the protest held at UST called Abstain Nation, wherein students chose to abstain instead of voting for a candidate because they felt no one was worthy of the position, Melvin created the clothing brand Movemen+ along with five other students. 

Since then, he has continued making a name for himself, working as a creative for TMP Productions. For years, he honed his skills in photography and video editing. 

Now, he is the 23-year-old owner of two studios: Nine Studio and Rest Day Studios. He has worked with the likes of Al James, Gloc 9, Flow G, Skusta Clee, and so many others both from the Philippines and abroad. 

And despite his many achievements, it isn’t hard to see that his journey will still continue to go up from here. 

Melvin at work in the studio

We were lucky enough to get the chance to talk to him and to ask him how he achieved his dreams, how others may follow in his footsteps, and what people may expect from him in the future.

What are you currently doing for work?

Currently, I wear many hats, mostly revolving around making creative decisions. Masyado marami, pero ito yung list: Creative Consultant and Director for a Startup Production & Record Label, Creative Consultant for a jewelry brand, Music Video Director, Artist, Entrepreneur and Owner of a Garments Manufacturing Business, Freelance Cinematographer, and Freelance Consultant. 

What jobs did you have or what did you do before this?

I only experienced having a 9-5 job back in 2016. I was a graphic designer for a known culinary school here in the Philippines. It was a nice workplace, pero dun ko talaga na-realize na sitting and working for someone all day is something na ‘di ko kaya gawin for the rest of my life. I’m glad I experienced that early, and thankful ako sa first ever boss ko na yun, since he taught me a lot about life and work.

But aside from that, ever since I was young, businessman talaga ako. Ang business is creativity. If we’re going to talk about failed businesses, dun talaga mostly ko nakuha yung working experiences ko.

My first one was a sari-sari store when I was 10. Then VHS to DVD conversion business when I was 13. After that, nag-computer repair din ako when I was 12-14. Pero ang foundation na talaga ng life ko is the stuff I built when I was 14.

Dun ako natuto mag-manufacture ng shirts and damit, and at the same time, dun talaga naging strong yung graphic design ko and nagkaroon ako ng first ever paid client. Nag-evolve and naging serious nalang yung manufacturing when I decided I want to do it for a long time. I formally opened it as a business when I was 19. 

Up to this day, same pa rin ako ng supplier ng tela for my shirts. Every time I visit their store, there’s always this feeling of “home” and nostalgia na dati ino-order ko lang is good for 5-10 pieces na shirt. Ngayon, nagkakaroon ng months na hundred pieces ang order ko.

How did you realize that this was what you wanted to do in life?

It took a long time eh. Siguro luck din na maaga ko sinimulan tanungin sa sarili ko, kaya mukhang madali ko siyang nahanap, pero sobrang tagal din talaga. Almost 6-9 years din. Like 9 or 10 years old ako, tinatanong ko na siya talaga if ano gusto ko gawin with my life.

Ever since I was a kid, may passion na talaga ako to create stuff with my hands. Nagkaroon lang talaga ng enlightenment nung na-realize ko na kaya ko siya gawin for a very long time, and di ako napapagod.

Parang siyang relationship with someone. There’s no solid day na mapo-point out mo how it happened. It’s a multitude of small realizations about myself na nag-pile up into one conclusion na, “This is what I want to do.”

How would you describe your journey, from start to end?

It was hard at first. ‘Di naman din well-off yung family ko growing up. I had to learn the ropes at a very young age. Kaya din ako talaga naging somehow “driven,” is because ang dami kong gusto gawin nung bata ako pero ‘di namin afford.

The computer I used to learn Photoshop had an intel 1992 processor. Yun yung mga computer na literal sa junk shop mo na mabibili. That was my computer from 2010-2016.

Working student din ako nung first year college till graduation. Classes sa umaga, shoot sa hapon until night, edit sa gabi until midnight, then habol sa requirements. 4-6 hours of sleep every night. Minsan zero pa.

Gumaan lang talaga lahat nung after ko grumaduate. Nasanay kasi akong working and saving up for my tuition lagi, kaya yung work habits ko, na-develop na talaga. Kaya after graduation, yung kinikita ko instead of saving for tuition, napupunta na as business capital, kaya nag-grow din talaga exponentially yung small career ko.

Kumbaga 2010-2014 was the discovery phase, and 2014-2021 yung broke creative phase.

2021- 2022 palang talaga ako getting started na gumaan kahit papano.

What do you think are some of the biggest obstacles you encountered that almost kept you from your success?

One was staying in school. May days kasi before, hirap talaga ako mag-juggle ng acads with school. Pasok sa school 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., shoot ng 5-9 p.m. sa BGC, 10-1 a.m. edit or Seventh Garments duties, tapos if need mag school work, 1-2 a.m. 

70 percent of my days nung college ganun, kaya kita din sa katawan ko yung toll. 

Another thing din was client deadlines and lack of funding. Before kasi pinapaikot ko lang yung capital ko from garments and shoots, so pag may nade-delay magbayad, hirap ako mag-adjust since wala din ako access pa before sa loans and funding. All of this entrepreneurial and work pressure on top of school requirements.

Have you ever had that moment when you realized you’d made it? When was that moment? Or if not, why do you think you haven’t had that moment yet?

Maraming milestones pero wala pa talagang like big na “I made it.“ Yun din yung mantra ko ever since. Never peak. Do not be complacent. You’re not yet there.

What mentality did you keep all throughout this process? What helped you keep going?

Everything that I do is for the kids like me. Yung mga nags-start din from scratch. Yung mga nanghihiram ng camera for shoots. Yung mga walang kakilala sa industry na gusto nila pasukin and nangungulit sa kungsaan saan. Gusto ko maging beacon of hope for them eh. Yun yung nagpu-pull sakin palagi to do what I do. Wala pa ko sa end goal na yun. Ever since 2016, yun pa din yung goal ko. Nothing changed.

What do you think you need to do to achieve your goals for the future?

Wag lang tumigil and maging consistent pa. I’m playing a long-term game na now. Kumbaga I waited years to be in this playing field. Kailangan ko na gamitin lahat ng natutunan ko from my mistakes and past. Constant reminding din ng sarili ko of who am I and why I’m here.

What advice do you have for anyone aspiring to pursue a career similar to yours?

Find your why in life tapos work smart and hard.

Put yourself in the right circles.

Constantly learn things kahit unrelated pa siya sa ginagawa mo now. You might need it in the future.

What can people expect from you in the future? (ex. upcoming projects)

Worldwide.