Cocomilk began with the goal of empowering brands through multidisciplinary design solutions. Today, with the future in sight and humble beginnings in tow, Cocomilk has expanded the team and services, evolving into a creative consultancy firm to cultivate strategic, impactful ideas and craft thoughtful experiences.
Before we start, we have some trivia for you! Jan lives in Australia with his family, which means Cocomilk has two homes—the first being The Pearl of the Orient Seas and second, The Land Down Under.
On the Daily Grind
What does your typical workday look like?
From 10 AM until 2 PM, it’s a mix of meetings, design reviews with the product designers, and design work. After lunch, if I finish [the] design tasks that I had to do in the morning, I do more admin work. And, for the rest of the day, design reviews. I do a lot of QA stuff—whether that’s client work or Cocontent—until the workday ends. My schedule for the day really depends on the meetings I have to attend and whichever task is the most urgent on my list.
On Running Cocomilk
Some days are all about big wins, and others about big lessons. Running a company means welcoming both.
What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of managing a company like Cocomilk?
As a creative team, what sets us apart is how we approach our process—not just with creativity, but with strategy. We’re constantly evolving the way we work, shaped by client feedback, plus new skills and tools that help us do things better. Every improvement is intentional, and we put [genuine] care into how we roll these out. Change management is a priority because growth should never come at the expense of our team’s well-being.
When we get it right, the results speak for themselves: Team members rise to challenges, become more independent, and grow into leadership roles where they support others. And the cherry on top? Hearing kind words from our clients after all the hard work is done.
How do you balance creativity and business strategy?
Our brand is a reflection of who we are, what we’re capable of, what we’re passionate about, and what we believe in. These elements fuel our creativity. We balance that by finding the sweet spot where our vision aligns with what’s truly valuable to our clients.
On Keeping His Peace
No one pours from an empty cup: Know when to step back and recharge to make space for the people and things that ground you.
As someone who advocates for work-life balance, what is one thing you’re doing to practice what you preach?
I treat work-life balance as an energy-management issue rather than a time-management one. I genuinely enjoy my work, which means it’s easy to overcommit. So I pay close attention to how my body and mind are responding. If I start feeling depleted or unfocused, I don’t push through it. I schedule breaks or even take full days off when needed. I also avoid after-hours communication and encourage coworkers to do the same.
On Leadership
What sets apart a great leader from a good one? The GOATs don’t just lead the charge—they walk alongside the whole team.
What's one lesson from your leadership journey that you'd share with someone starting a business today?
It could get worse before it gets better, but the decisions you make and the systems you build early on will narrow the range of things to worry about later.
On Creative Inspiration
Inspiration may come as a spark, a small ember. It doesn’t always announce itself in a grand chorus. Sometimes, it whispers.
How do you stay creatively inspired while balancing the responsibilities of running a business?
One way I stay creatively inspired is by stepping back from the work itself. Creating space helps me return with fresh eyes. I draw inspiration from paying close attention to the problems around me. Real-world challenges often spark the most meaningful ideas. And while most of my time goes into running the business, I stay hands-on with design projects to stay connected to the craft.
On Success
More than the milestones and the shiny plaque.
What does success look like to you?
Clients who are genuinely happy with our work and team members who earn fair, sustainable wages that grow with their needs and aspirations. It’s about creating value on both sides—externally through our output, and internally through how we support our people.
On Family
Both anchor and compass to keep you grounded yet moving towards your goals.
How has becoming a parent influenced your leadership style or your creative perspective?
[Becoming a parent] challenged me to be more trusting and flexible in letting people work independently and make their own decisions. It’s almost poetic: While my two-year-old was showing me how independent, creative, and decisive she could be, it reminded me [of] the importance of lending that same respect to the team and allowing them to blossom into their own.
Everything can be learned. Creatives tend to be too focused; it's easy to think, ‘I'm a product designer’ or ‘I'm a graphic designer,’ but when it comes to our work, it’s not about expression, it's problem solving—and that entails understanding things outside our wheelhouse. It can be daunting, and sometimes you’d wonder if it’s supposed to be part of your job. And the answer is really ‘yes.’ I think that’s what’s unique to our job.
I see these in my daughter. The learning doesn’t stop in the career I’ve chosen, nor in the business that we do. Sometimes I read HR or accounting books, so it’s nice because you never know when you can use that knowledge in a way that would help a client.
Explain Like I'm Five: How would you explain your job to your daughter?
You know, she actually pretends that she's working like me sometimes.
I’ll start with product design. ‘I make apps for phones and computers.’ For Managing Partner: ‘I help people draw and write,’ or ‘I sit and type.’ I’m gonna pause and think…
‘I make things for businesses.’
On Moving to Australia
It’s Jan in The Land Down Under!
Uprooting your life never gets easier, but straying from your comfort zone brings fresh perspectives, challenges, and opportunities. And, with the right support system, the process becomes infinitely more enjoyable.
Can you share your vision for Cocomilk’s expansion in Australia and what it means for the company and our client base?
We decided to move here as a family. I had to reflect for months on what I would do next. It didn't feel right abandoning something that I worked hard on and was starting to show its potential. I still have a lot of hope in terms of seeing what we’ll be able to do, how the team members have grown, and where we can take those capabilities.
My vision for Cocomilk’s expansion is to maintain the professionalism and reliability expected of us—whenever, wherever. I'm hoping my presence [in Australia] would allow stronger partnerships because being here allows a higher level of collaboration. Being here lets me visit sites, [connect more] with the clients, and help the team come up with solutions that might not have been possible with our accounts in other countries.
How has running Cocomilk changed now that you’re based in Australia?
Running Cocomilk from Australia hasn’t changed things as much as people might expect. We’ve been working remotely even before the pandemic, so the setup is already in our DNA. What has changed is the time-zone difference, which requires a bit more planning and asynchronous communication, but overall, the core of how we work has stayed the same. That’s not to say I don’t miss attending office days with the team.
On Life’s Guilty Pleasures
‘Fess up. Any guilty pleasures you’d care to share?
I recently got a gaming console, which feels a bit strange as a dad to a two-year-old, but it’s been great. It’s helped me reclaim some personal time that doesn’t revolve around work or doomscrolling, and gives me a way to unwind after family time without needing to go out or spend extra.
On Filipino Culture (Actually Just Food)
An age-old debate guaranteed to split rooms.
Today, we put the rumors to rest. Are you team adobo or sinigang?
I’m team sinigang!
You can give me sinigang for months straight and I will not complain. I’ll refill it with kangkong (water spinach) and be the happiest person. I’m not saying adobo is worse, but sinigang is healthy, I think.
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