From News Anchor to TV presenter, Events host, Educator, Voice talent, and Entrepreneur: Cheria Vasti

For a lot of people, a career in television is a dream. Cheria had that opportunity at an early age, but realized that it wasn’t the life she wanted to live. This former news anchor is now a freelance TV presenter, events host, educator, commercial voice talent, and a real estate entrepreneur. But the road to all that wasn’t an easy one. Learn more about her inspiring journey to personal and financial freedom.

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Q: Tell us about your current work roles.

I used to be a news anchor but being a journalist, I needed to stay for the news all the time. I wanted more time and freedom so I became a freelance TV presenter and Corporate Events MC while building my property business. I am also a Commercial Dubber and an Educator for John Robert Powers Indonesia.

Q: What led you to that career?

My self-motivation became my standard for living, to do something better than my parents. At first, my parents did not agree with my job but I had proven myself to them. Now they support me in whatever career I choose as long as I'm enjoying.

Q: What is your educational background?

I have a Bachelor's degree in International Relations

Q: Did you have any life-changing experiences that led you to what you’re doing today?

Yes, I'm actually an introvert and I didn’t have the courage to speak in public. When I was in Junior high school, my teacher ordered me to explain something in front of the class. My body, my voice, and the microphone were all shaking and my classmates made jokes at me. It felt like a slap and I realized something wrong with me. That incident encouraged me and also became my weapon to improve my self. I started learning about communication skills and developed an interest to be a presenter. It pushed me to practice public speaking more, and it worked.

Q: How has your family and upbringing influenced your career choices?

I learned from my parents’ experience that being a devoted employee to your company until retirement means you won't have enough time for your kids and family. I didn’t want that to happen to me in the future. After they retired, they felt lost because they lived in the comfort zone of being employed. So when they learned that I started building my property business, they followed my strategy and now they also have a property business even bigger than mine. They even said, “How come I worked 9 to 5 for almost 25 years but my income is bigger when I became an entrepreneur, and now I have more time to watch tv?” I laughed when heard that. I do believe that if there's a will there's a way. I just want me to be the leader of my life, not my boss or the company like what happened to my parents.

Q: Who has been your strongest influence in life?

Successful people and their stories of success influenced me to have my own standards for my life - if they can succeed, I’m pretty sure that I can also be like that.

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing?

When I was able to buy my first property by myself at 20 years old. I started my career early at 15 years old. When all my friends would spend their pocket money on parties, I saved mine and also my salary to buy a house in the center of the city. I remember they would always mock me because I was living far away from the central city while they rented a fancy place there. I would tell them that I'm not gonna spend money renting a stupid place just for a lifestyle because one day, I'm gonna buy property around this area and you’re gonna pay rent to me. Five years later I did it and I felt so blessed. Meanwhile, my friends were still renting. For me, words are like prayers.

Q: What would you say motivates you most to do what you do?

I tell myself “You should work hard because no one else will do it for you and don’t let the fear stop your way. If you do not try you will never know.”

On Making a Career Shift

Q: Can you share your past careers and what made you decide to transition/leave that field?

I was lucky I started my career early as a news anchor and I realized early on that I will have no time for my personal life. Even if I have travel plans, when duty calls, I need to be back. Because of that I changed my mind and thought about life and freedom. I realized working for a company to make a living is not the life I want. I want to have freedom with my finances, so I decided to be an entrepreneur. I still wanted to be a presenter but I want to do it as a hobby, not for living.

Q: How did you find the courage to leap from one field to another?

I set a lot of backup plans. In life, we need to calculate and set targets. I already learned a lot being an employee, so I have my target to have freedom financial which is impossible with being an employee. I needed to do a bigger step, but I needed more time, so I had to be courageous to create what I was dreaming about.

Q: What has been the greatest challenge for you when it comes to switching careers?

Leaving my comfort zone. I was afraid that I will regret my decision, but I do believe if I'm out of my comfort zone earlier, I will go to my next level faster. Because I started my career early, if I failed I still have time to catch my defeat because I'm still single with no kids, no need to worry too much about failing.

If I try something new, I’ll have at least a 0.1% chance. But If I don’t try, that’s 100% failure. 

Q: What advice do you have for others who are still trying to find their passions?

Just do it now. If not now, then when? If you don’t try, you will never know. But do it with good preparation and many backup plans. Over time, you will learn to work smart, and not work hard anymore.

Q: What’s next for you, what are you looking forward to?

I'm looking forward to having a social foundation focusing on education and parenting. In 2014, a client who I interviewed invited me to be an educator. When I started teaching, I found happiness whenever I share my knowledge and I'm looking forward to having a foundation where everyone can learn for free. I am especially concerned to make a parenting class for parents because there's no school for being a parent! So I think that's a basic that we need to have for a better generation ahead.

On being a Career Slasher

Q: How do you balance being in different fields simultaneously?

Avoid distraction. I switch off any notifications that I don’t need. I practice discipline and time management, and make the long and short term plans scheduled, and stay consistent with them.

Q: What has been the greatest challenge for you when it comes to balancing multiple careers?

Being an entrepreneur, presenter, dubber, and educator while maintaining a social and personal life is fascinating. The time management was quite hard for me in the beginning. I thought being an entrepreneur will be more chill, but when I became one, the hectic time drove me crazy. Luckily I don't have a boss anymore, so I can always make my own decisions and priorities. I had a system and a staff to assist me.

Q: What advice do you have for others who want to build a life around their multiple passions?

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. In life, we need to have many backup plans. We should have active and passive incomes so we can enjoy and live a more fulfilling life.

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Learn more about and connect with Cheria at:

Instagram: @cheriavasti.mc

Youtube: Chery Vasti

LinkedIn: Cheria Vasti