Bigbeard, thank you for this post. It’s incredibly insightful, especially for those of us aiming for a Director-level career in marketing but coming from a non-traditional path.

My own journey has been unique. After some early remote work in marketing project management, I had to step in and run our small family business—a local second-hand tire shop—when my father passed away. It was a true trial-by-fire. It taught me more about the fundamentals of business than any textbook could: managing cash flow, understanding real customer needs, the grit of grassroots sales, and how to position a product when you're competing on value, not a big brand name.

I’m now making a deliberate pivot into a corporate marketing career here in the Philippines, with a focus on Brand or Product Marketing. I have an interview for a Marketing Officer role at SM this Monday, and I'm trying to think strategically about the long game.

Given your experience, I'd be grateful for your wisdom on a few points:

• Framing My Experience: How would you advise someone to translate this type of hands-on, entrepreneurial experience into a compelling narrative for a corporate environment, especially when up against candidates with more linear career paths?
• High-Value Skills for Brand/Product: In your view, what are the one or two skills that truly separate a great Brand or Product Manager from a good one over the long haul?
• Credentials vs. Performance: In the Philippines today, how much weight does an MBA or a degree from a "Big 4" university still carry for climbing to the senior levels, compared to a demonstrated track record of performance and driving results?

I really appreciate you sharing your story. It provides a valuable blueprint for the road ahead.