Meet Karla, a Filipina entrepreneur who transformed challenges into a thriving business empire. Starting at 19, Karla overcame job market hurdles to launch a successful flower shop, events company, and outsourcing firm. Discover her strategic insights on resilience, growth, and achieving success without heavy advertising. Whether you're starting out or scaling up, Karla's story offers practical advice to fuel your entrepreneurial journey.
Starting Young and Staying Resilient
Karla began her entrepreneurial journey at the young age of 19. Fresh out of college, she faced challenges finding a job due to her age, despite having an impressive resume. This setback led her to discover her first opportunity at ad agency, where she embraced her talents as a copywriter. However, her desire for freedom and an aversion to office dress codes inspired her to pursue freelancing.
Building Multiple Businesses
Karla didn't stop there. She saw her free time as an opportunity to explore new ventures. She started a flower shop, not because of a passion for flowers but because it was a business where she could get paid upfront with good profit margins. Over the years, her flower shop expanded to 13 locations nationwide.
Her experience as an MC (Master Ceremonies) at events led her to start an events company, which thrives by serving major brands and organizations. Realizing the global demand for affordable outsourcing, she eventually founded Proximity Outsourcing, growing it to a seven-figure business in just over a year, without spending on advertisements.
Lessons in Building and Balancing
Karla candidly shares that managing multiple business requires strategic planning and understanding clear roles within her teams. She emphasizes the importance of hiring smart people and focusing on her strengths, like marketing and strategy. During busy periods, particularly around key events like Valentine's Day, she fully commits to being present, which she found significantly boosts sales.
The Importance of Motivation and Self-Care
For Karla, maintaining motivation and avoiding burnout involves understanding the “why” behind her business ambitions. She learned that focusing solely on financial goals led to stress and poor decision-making. Instead, she now prioritizes health, relaxation, and quality time with family, which enhances her productivity and leadership.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Karla's journey highlights the importance of having clarity about the kind of life you want. She advises budding entrepreneurs to see business as a channel to fulfill life goals rather than the end goal. She emphasizes the necessity of mental health and wellbeing, suggesting that taking a job to support your entrepreneur dreams is perfectly okay.
Karla's story is a testament to the power of resilience, strategic thinking, and the pursuit of balance in the entrepreneurial world. Whether you're starting a small business or scaling an existing one, her insights can guide you in making decisions that align with both your personal and business goals.
Watch the full episode here.
Connect with Karla:
https://karlasingson.com/
https://www.facebook.com/karlasingson.official/
https://www.instagram.com/karlastefan/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk4z5Q_UZa8f4Cr1HBiHD_A
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