Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dominique Salas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dominique, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I wasn’t born with resilience; in fact, I grew up feeling the complete opposite. Every time I faced a difficult situation—whether in sports, music, school, or work—I would find a way to talk myself out of it. I developed a reputation as a “quitter,” a label that, over time, I started to believe. My dad, a successful entrepreneur, embodied grit and iron-willed determination. I observed him, thinking, “I could never be like that.”
Looking back, I recognize the pattern I was stuck in: difficulty > self-doubt > finding excuses to quit. Though I had potential and some natural business instincts, my self-esteem held me back.
In 2015, fresh out of college, I launched a business selling single-use fabric body art. I was excited and driven—until a customer mentioned that they might have gotten a rash from my product. The familiar spiral began: “I can’t do this.” Rather than address the issue, I shut down the business entirely, ashamed and defeated. I settled for a part-time job and coasted.
Motherhood, however, changed everything. For the first time, I was faced with something I couldn’t just quit. I had to dig deep and find a strength I didn’t think I had. Around that time, I read “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle, which helped me see my limiting patterns from a new perspective. I began to understand that resilience and grit weren’t qualities I was born without—they were skills I could learn. This realization was life-changing. I became intentional about shifting my mindset every time self-doubt crept in.
Today, as a business owner, certain challenges still bring up those old feelings of fear and self-doubt. But I’ve trained myself to recognize and redirect them. Motherhood unlocked a resilience in me that I didn’t know existed and, more importantly, the belief that I can tackle whatever comes my way, one step at a time. I’m deeply grateful for this journey—it’s taught me to believe in myself and the dreams I once thought were out of reach.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I launched Clétte, a women’s underwear brand, in August this year. Growing up, I was poised to follow in my dad’s footsteps—he supported our family as an underwear manufacturer in Hong Kong, where I was born. But life had its own plans. My dad retired, closed his business, and I began a new chapter: moving to Hawaii, marrying, and becoming a mom to two wonderful kids.
After having my son, I felt a constant frustration with finding comfortable underwear. I wanted something beyond the lacey or outdated options I’d worn for years—something that felt good but also made me feel confident and sexy. I started Clétte with a vision: to create underwear that blends comfort with a sense of empowerment, inspired by the natural beauty of Hawai’i. Launching Clétte felt like a full-circle moment, reconnecting me to my roots while charting a new path.
As I continue to immerse myself in the start-up phase, I’m incredibly excited about the journey ahead and look forward to sharing Clétte with as many women as possible in the coming year.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1) Acknowledge and work within your limitations: In the start-up phase, My intention was to do it all—social media, email marketing, website design, you name it. I quickly learned that handling everything alone isn’t sustainable. Social media marketing and growing an organic following, in particular, is its own language and while fun, it is extremely time-consuming. I realized that hiring an expert to manage it would free me to focus on securing wholesale accounts and managing the critical backend of the business. Knowing where to invest your energy is key.
2) Split big goals into manageable steps: Large undertakings can feel overwhelming, but breaking them down into monthly, weekly, and daily tasks helps. Showing up consistently, even with small steps, leads to meaningful progress over time.
3) Mindset is everything: A positive mindset and emotional resilience are foundational. The way you approach challenges shapes your journey, and cultivating a resilient mindset can truly transform the path ahead.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
Starting a business as a solo entrepreneur truly takes a village. Rather than relying on one specific person, I’ve found support from many people around me. By being open about my business journey—even when I wasn’t necessarily looking for help—my community in Hawaii has been incredibly willing to step in. Conversations with fellow business owners have been invaluable, offering insights on growth and navigating challenges. Recommendations for books, podcasts, and YouTube channels have also been key in my bootstrapping phase, helping me learn and adapt as I go.
One book that has been both inspiring and educational for me is Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal. It weaves together insights from some of the most influential business and self-development books, making it a powerful guide for balancing success and well-being.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopclette.com
- Instagram: @shopclette
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