Hi, Bagong Nanay!
Kumusta? I’ve been busy with my firstborn daughter’s 7th birthday, but I was looking forward to sharing this story of Mommy Andrea Nicole Balcorta, a 30-year-old Bagong Nanay of one from Pasig City and founder of Street Smart PH.
My daughter was able to attend a 3-hour Money Masters 101 free class during the recent Bagong Nanay Milktea Meetup at the East, and boy, did she learn a lot of new and important things! Nagulat ako when I asked her to write down what she learned in her notebook the next day – she had learned and understood the concepts of wants vs. needs, credit cards, and even checks!
So for July, I am happy to share the Bagong Nanay Biz story of Mommy Nicole, who literally started her business during her maternity leave, and recently marked its first anniversary!
Read on and be inspired.
In Her Own Words: How Nicole Balcorta started Street Smart PH
Life Still Surprises You
If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be balancing a corporate career, building a social enterprise, and learning the ropes of motherhood all at the same time, I probably would’ve laughed.
The truth is, I’m still figuring things out every day.
By day, I work as a trade marketer in an FMCG company. Beyond work, I built Street Smart PH, a passion project close to my heart. And above all, I’m a wife and a mom to a little boy who reminds me every day why this mission matters.
Looking back, I realize that every season of my life, from leaving home at 12 years old to becoming a first-time mom, was quietly preparing me for something bigger than myself.
Learning to Adult the Hard Way
I became independent at a young age.
When I was just 12 years old, I moved into a dormitory for high school. Living away from home taught me responsibility early on, but it also exposed something I didn’t realize until much later—I wasn’t truly prepared for adulthood.
School taught me how to solve equations and write essays, but not how to budget my allowance, prepare for a job interview, understand employee benefits, or make smart financial decisions. Like many young adults, I learned those lessons through trial and error.
I often found myself thinking, What if someone had taught us these before we actually needed them?
My Son Didn’t Know It Yet, But He Helped Me Start a Business
Fast forward a few years, I was happily building my corporate career when I became a mom.
During my maternity leave, I unexpectedly found myself with something every new parent wishes for—a little extra time. My baby boy was surprisingly calm, and in those quiet moments while he slept, I couldn’t stop thinking about an idea that had been in my heart for years.
I realized I finally had the chance to build my passion project.
As I looked at my son, I knew I wanted him to grow up not just academically prepared, but life-ready. And surely, many other parents wanted the same for their children.
That’s how Street Smart PH was born.
More Than a Business, It’s a Mission
Street Smart PH exists to help build future-ready Filipinos by teaching the practical life skills that many of us wish we had learned earlier.
“There are days when work needs me more, and days when my family comes first. I’ve learned to let go of the pressure of getting everything right all the time. Progress is a much kinder goal than perfection.”
-Mommy Nicole Balcorta, Street Smart PH
Today, we conduct online and onsite workshops and create interactive workbooks covering financial literacy through Money Masters 101, entrepreneurship through Business Bosses 101, investing through Wealth Warriors 101, home responsibility through Home Heroes 101, and career readiness through Career Champions 101.
The goal has always been simple: to help young Filipinos feel more confident before life throws its biggest lessons at them.
In our first year alone, we’ve been blessed to conduct 31 workshops, teach 432 students, distribute 512 workbooks, and partner with 11 schools and organizations. Every learner we meet reminds us why this mission matters.
This Is Just the Beginning
Our dream is to make life skills education more accessible to Filipino families.
We’re working toward launching our e-commerce platform so parents and students can easily access our workbooks anywhere in the country. We also hope to scale our workshops online, collaborate with more schools and homeschool communities, and introduce even more programs (such as Travel Titans 101) to prepare learners for the real world.
As Street Smart PH continues to grow, people sometimes ask how I balance everything.
The truth is, I don’t always have the perfect answer. I’m learning as I go (just like every other mom). But if there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that motherhood has shaped the way I lead, work, and dream. These are four lessons I continue to carry with me every day.
4 Things Motherhood Continues to Teach Me
1. Find a purpose that’s bigger than yourself.
Of course, we all want to provide for our families. But when our work also creates a positive impact for others, it gives us a deeper reason to keep going…even on the most exhausting days.
2. Embrace partnership.
One of my biggest blessings is having a husband who builds this life with me. We’ve learned that marriage isn’t about dividing responsibilities perfectly. Rather, it’s about supporting each other’s dreams while building a life that’s meaningful for our family. Growing together as partners allows us to grow as individuals, too.
3. You don’t have to do everything perfectly.
There are days when work needs me more, and days when my family comes first. I’ve learned to let go of the pressure of getting everything right all the time. Progress is a much kinder goal than perfection.
4. Focus on energy management instead of time management.
We all have the same 24 hours. What has helped me most is being intentional about where I give my energy. When I’m at work, I try to be fully present. When I’m with my family, I put my phone down and enjoy the moment. It’s not about doing more. It’s about being present where you are.
I’m still learning every day, but these reminders have helped me embrace each season with a little more grace.
Let’s Build the Future Together
I believe preparing children for the future takes a community.
If you’re a parent, I’d love to invite you to join one of our upcoming workshops. Follow Street Smart PH on Facebook and Instagram for the latest schedules, and as a reader of Bagong Nanay, you may use the code BBNxSSPH to enjoy 10% off your workshop registration.
If you’re a school, homeschool community, company, or organization, let’s work together through customized workshops, exclusive learning sessions, or event partnerships.
And while Street Smart PH continues to grow, my “why” has remained the same. Whenever I look at my son, I’m reminded why I started this journey. I dream of a future where he, and every Filipino child, steps into adulthood with confidence, courage, and the life skills to thrive.
Because life skills are more than lessons. They’re gifts that last a lifetime. Together, let’s build a generation of future-ready Filipinos – one life skill at a time.
Follow Street Smart PH on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
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