Volunteer to Visionary: How Julie Junio de Castro is Transforming Project Management

Today, we have the opportunity to speak with Julie Junio de Castro, the founder of DeeCee Project Management Consultancy. DeeCee PMC was started to bring the benefits of project management to a wider audience and has since become a reliable resource for professionals in various fields. In this interview, Julie discusses her journey as an entrepreneur, the challenges and successes of running her consultancy, and how her company is helping others achieve their goals.
Q: Ms. Julie Junio de Castro, welcome to The Founders Story. We are thrilled to have you here today and are excited to hear about your journey and the insights you have to share with us. Thank you for joining us!
Julie Junio de Castro: Thank you so much for having me. I’m delighted to share my experiences with The Founders Story. It is always a pleasure to talk about the work we are doing at DeeCee PMC and to connect with others who are passionate about entrepreneurship and project management.
Q: First things first, what inspired you to start your own business? What drove you to start a project management consultancy like DeeCee, and how did the idea come about?
Julie Junio de Castro: Everyone has had that entrepreneurial itch at some point, right? I was not different. My journey into entrepreneurship really took off after volunteering with PMI. The positive impact of project management across various industries was a real eye-opener for me. I realised I had the potential to share these invaluable principles with a wider audience. That is when the idea for DeeCee Project Management Consultancy was born. My initial vision was to create a platform that empowers professionals to excel in their careers through expert guidance. As time went on, we realised the importance of making sure everyone, no matter their experience level, had the tools and support to succeed in project management. We became determined to help project managers at every stage of their careers overcome challenges and reach new heights.
Q: That is one inspiring journey. I’m curious about the holistic project management style. Can you walk me through a DeeCee project where it was a game-changer?
Julie Junio de Castro: Our Project Pitch Day really showcased DeeCee PMC’s holistic approach. We wanted to give new businesses a boost by giving them a platform to showcase their business. Our approach was strategic B2B marketing. We connected them with potential clients through smart marketing. This allowed them to gain immediate visibility, which helped them hit the ground running. It was incredibly rewarding to see these companies gain traction right away. I would highlight this as a success story of how our comprehensive project management can make a real difference. This story motivates me in our goal of nurturing both new businesses and future project managers.
Q: Your recent expansion into business event management is interesting. What kind of new challenges have you faced, and how has that changed what you offer clients?
Julie Junio de Castro: That is a great question. Stepping into event management was definitely a new ballgame. Juggling complex logistics, tight deadlines, and a million different expectations was no walk in the park. To handle the pressure, we had to really sharpen our project management skills. We focused on staying super organised, thinking on our feet, and planning every little detail.
This new side of our business has been a game-changer. It has allowed us to combine our event expertise with what we already do best: learning and development, consulting, and PR. Now, we can offer clients a complete package. It is all about creating amazing experiences that cover every angle of their needs.
Q: That is impressive! It sounds like your team is up for any rising challenge. Combining event management with your core services is a smart move. You are offering clients a lot of value. What approach do you take to ensure your training programs, workshops, and seminars meet the needs of both beginners and experts?
Julie Junio de Castro: We take a personalised approach to training. First, we sit down with our clients to thoroughly understand their business and what they need. With a comprehensive SWOT, PESTEL, and gap analysis, we carefully examine their situation, looking at their strengths, weaknesses, and the bigger picture. This helps us pinpoint exactly what knowledge or skills are missing. From there, we create training programs that are perfectly matched to their needs. Whether someone is just starting, or they are a seasoned pro, we make sure everyone gets something valuable out of our sessions.
Q: You mentioned building strong relationships with clients instead of just one-off projects. How does that approach play out in your day-to-day work and project management?
Julie Junio de Castro: You see, we don’t just look at each project as a one-off deal. We are all about building real partnerships. We take the time to understand our client’s big picture, not just the project at hand. It is about having open conversations, working together to solve problems, and making sure we are always adding value. We want to be there for our clients, not just during the project but after too. That way, we can grow together and adapt to whatever comes our way.
Q: DeeCee operates across various industries. How do you ensure your team stays up to date with the latest trends and practices in such a wide range of sectors?
Julie Junio de Castro: We are always keeping an eye on what is new in our industry. It is a big world out there with lots of different fields, so we have to stay on top of things. That is why we are constantly investing in our team. We enrol them in special courses and industry training, and we even connect them with top experts in the field. It is all about learning and growing. This way, we are not just keeping up; we are leading the way. Our clients get the benefit of fresh ideas and solutions that are right on trend.
Q: That is great. Staying on top of industry trends is important in this fast-paced world. So, what’s been the toughest part of being a project management consultant? And how have you and DeeCee handled those challenges?
Julie Junio de Castro: Running a project management consultancy is not always a has many challenges. We have had our fair share of handling complex projects with lots of moving parts, dealing with clients who change their minds, and those dreaded tight deadlines. To keep things on track, we have learnt to be good at keeping everyone in the loop. We are flexible and ready to adapt to whatever comes our way, and we are always making sure our team is up to date with the latest tools and tricks. That way, DeeCee can deliver top-notch results no matter what.
Q: Project management is always evolving, right? What do you see as the biggest changes coming up, and how is DeeCee getting ready for them?
Julie Junio de Castro: You are absolutely right. Project management is changing fast. We are seeing a huge shift towards using tech like AI, data analytics, and automation to make projects smarter and quicker. Plus, there is a growing focus on sustainability, on building things in a way that is good for the planet and people. Creating sustainable smart cities is a big deal too, and it is going to need some seriously creative project management.
At DeeCee, we are not just waiting for the future; we are building it. We are investing in the latest technology and teaching our team how to use it to make projects smarter. We are also focused on building things in a way that is good for the planet and the people who live here. We want to be at the front of the pack when it comes to building those smart cities everyone’s talking about. It is about doing things right, not just doing things fast.
Q: I am glad to hear that DeeCee is doing its part in creating a sustainable future. Now I would love to hear about a project where you really excelled when it came to delivering on time and within budget. Can you share such a success story?
Julie Junio de Castro: Where do I start? Let me phrase it this way. We have managed a bunch of events since we started, and every single one has been a hit. Even though we are a pretty new company, we have consistently delivered amazing results that blow our clients away. From Project Pitch Day to other big events, our team is all about planning, executing flawlessly, and paying attention to every little detail. We always finish on time and on budget. The best part? Our clients love us, and the positive feedback we get on every single project shows that! It is proof that we are serious about delivering top-notch project management.
Q: How do you build a team environment where everyone feels like they can share ideas and keep improving? And how does that team spirit translate to your work with clients?
Julie Junio de Castro: DeeCee is all about working together and getting better at what we do. We believe in being open, sharing what we know, and supporting each other. We have regular team chats, workshops, and brainstorming sessions to make sure everyone is on the same page. Also, we are always learning and growing, with ongoing training, mentoring, and staying up to date on the latest trends.
Q: Let us switch gears a bit. I’m curious about you outside of work. Can you describe a typical day in your life as an entrepreneur?
Julie Junio de Castro: A typical day for me is pretty hectic! I usually start early, planning what needs to be done. There is a lot of running around between meetings, strategizing how to grow the business, and working closely with my team and clients. I love the challenge of finding new ways to do things and making sure our clients are happy. My day ends with reflecting on progress and planning for continuous improvement. It is definitely demanding, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
Q: How do you stay motivated and driven in your entrepreneurial journey, especially during tough times?
Julie Junio de Castro: Well, what keeps me going is knowing that we are making a real difference. Seeing how our work helps people grow is incredibly motivating. There are definitely tough times, but when I think about our mission and the success stories we have created, it gives me a huge boost. I’m always learning and trying to improve, and that keeps things exciting.
Q: That is great to hear about your passion for helping others. What advice would you give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Julie Junio de Castro: The best advice I can give is to follow your gut. Let your passion be your compass. Be someone people look up to by sticking to your values, even when things get tough. Running a business is no picnic; there will be ups and downs. But if you focus on helping others succeed, it will keep you going. Seeing the difference you make is the best reward.
Q: What has been the most satisfying part of running your own show?
Julie Junio de Castro: The best part of this whole thing is being able to help others grow and succeed. I love seeing people develop their careers and businesses. I’m really passionate about giving back to the community, and now I’m able to assist the less fortunate, which is deeply gratifying. It is incredibly fulfilling to know that my business can make a positive impact on people’s lives.
Q: Hey Julie, this has been amazing! It is so inspiring to hear your story. You have given us a tonne of great insights. Thanks for taking the time to chat with The Founders Story.
Julie Junio de Castro: Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. I have really enjoyed our conversation and appreciate the thoughtful questions. It has been a great experience being part of The Founders Story.