Meet Sara Quintero

We were lucky to catch up with Sara Quintero recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sara, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

How I Overcame Imposter Syndrome

For a long time, imposter syndrome sat with me like an uninvited guest. Even after launching my boutique, building KarmaChic, or earning recognition for my work, there was this lingering voice questioning if I was really “qualified” enough to be doing any of it.

But I realized something. I wasn’t struggling because I wasn’t capable. I was struggling because I cared. I wanted to do it right. I wanted to create something meaningful. And that weight, that responsibility, made me doubt my own seat at the table.

The shift came when I started talking to other women entrepreneurs and hearing the exact same doubts from people I admired. That’s when it clicked. Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re unqualified. It means you’re pushing boundaries and stepping into growth.

I started owning my wins, big or small. I reminded myself that I built KarmaChic from the ground up with no big investors, just a clear vision and a lot of late nights. I taught myself what I didn’t know. I figured it out along the way. And every vendor who joins, every message of support, reinforces that I’m doing what I’m meant to do.

Overcoming imposter syndrome isn’t a one-time event. It’s a habit. Speaking truth over doubt. Celebrating progress. Remembering why you started. And now, I use my platform to make sure other women know they belong in the room too.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m Sara Quintero, the founder of KarmaChic Marketplace, a digital platform created to elevate women-owned and marginalized businesses. What started as a dream after closing my brick-and-mortar consignment shop turned into something so much bigger, a space where small business owners can be seen, supported, and celebrated.

KarmaChic is more than a marketplace. It’s a community. Every vendor on the platform has a story, and I’ve made it my mission to help share those stories through digital exposure, video features, and consistent social support. Whether someone is just starting out or looking to grow their reach, they have a place here.

What makes KarmaChic special is its heart. I built it from the ground up, teaching myself the tech, handling the outreach, and creating opportunities where they didn’t exist. I know what it’s like to try to compete in a world that often overlooks small and independent brands. That’s why I offer free listings for the first 100 vendors and continue to roll out new features that help entrepreneurs thrive.

Right now, I’m focused on growing our digital directory and launching a full-scale marketing campaign to expand nationally. I’m also working on an app that will make discovering and supporting small businesses even easier. From Tampa to across the country, I want KarmaChic to be a go-to platform for shoppers and entrepreneurs who care about purpose and connection.

If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s that real community doesn’t compete. It collaborates. And that’s exactly what we’re building here.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, resourcefulness, and relationship-building.

Resilience was key when I had to close my brick-and-mortar boutique. That moment could have ended my path as an entrepreneur, but instead, it became the spark that led to KarmaChic. I had to trust that every setback was redirecting me, not defeating me. For anyone early in their journey, know that you will face roadblocks. What matters is how you bounce back and keep going.

Resourcefulness helped me build KarmaChic from the ground up without a tech team or outside funding. I taught myself the tools I needed to get the platform off the ground and stayed scrappy when I didn’t have all the answers. My advice? Don’t wait until everything is perfect. Start with what you have, learn as you go, and use every tool available to you.

Relationship-building has been the soul of this journey. From vendors to supporters to advisors, I’ve leaned on genuine connections to grow KarmaChic into a platform with heart. I always say community over competition. If you’re just getting started, build real relationships. Collaborate. Show up for others. That energy will come back to you in ways you can’t imagine.

Success isn’t just about having the right product or idea. It’s about staying grounded, being willing to learn, and surrounding yourself with people who believe in the vision, even before it’s fully formed.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

One of the most impactful books I’ve read is The Buddha and the Badass by Vishen Lakhiani. It helped me shift how I show up as both a businesswoman and a creator. The book blends the spiritual and the strategic, reminding you that you don’t have to choose between heart and hustle. That message deeply resonated with me.

One of the biggest takeaways was the idea of aligning your work with your soul’s calling. When you operate from a place of authenticity and purpose, success becomes a byproduct of service. That’s exactly how KarmaChic was born. I didn’t create it just to launch a business. I created it because I saw a gap in how women and marginalized entrepreneurs were being represented and supported online. This book helped me trust that inner knowing and go all in.

Another powerful concept was about breaking free from “brules,” or bullshit rules, that society imposes. That gave me the confidence to do things differently, to not follow traditional paths, and to build a business that feels good to me and the community I serve.

The Buddha and the Badass reminded me that you can lead with vision, but you also have to lead with vibration. That balance is what keeps me grounded, even when the road gets bumpy.

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