We caught up with the brilliant and insightful KRYSTAL JUGARAP a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi KRYSTAL, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
When I began my entrepreneurial journey, it required a lot of self-reflection. Up until then, I had done all the typical things expected of me growing up – getting good grades, graduating college, getting a “good” and “stable” job – and for the most part, I had done all the things well.
When it came to the point of then asking myself, “Could I actually be successful as an entrepreneur?”, I quickly realized I was on the verge of crafting a narrative for myself that didn’t fit the data. So, I reframed the question. If I could do well in all of the things people have always asked of me, why couldn’t I do well in the things I was choosing for myself?
That mindset has created a foundation that continues to push me forward. It’s a constant reminder that I have and can continue to do hard things. As long as I keep working hard and hold myself accountable for the things I want, just as others have held me accountable for the things they’ve asked of me, who’s to say I can’t be successful.
Now, I don’t believe imposter syndrome ever fully goes away for anyone. So, when it decides to resurface for me, I again lean into the practice of reframing. Instead of asking myself “Who am I to do this?”, I ask myself, “Who am I to not?” It’s important to remind ourselves of the impact we have the potential of making. By choosing not to persist forward, we’re also choosing to not impact the people, places, or things we have the power to impact and who are we to keep positive change from occurring?
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
At EM/POWERED<i>by</i>WMN, we are dedicated to uplifting our fellow women in business. What started as an inspiring space to get to know other women in entrepreneurship has taken on a life of its own where we’re making it easier for communities to find and support their local woman-owned brands and offering multiple avenues for these women to increase their brand visibility and build genuine connections.
We continue to focus heavily on building our online Woman-Owned Small Business Directory across the nation. We pride ourselves in its diversity and user-friendly search features that make it incredibly easy to find brands based on product or service category, location, and even ownership. We’re also committed to keeping our platform accessible which is why our Memberships start at only $4.99 a month and we’ve rolled out programs like our Pop-Up Program where our vendor community can book individual pop-ups at various storefronts for as little as $15.
However, the most special part of this journey has been the opportunity to see our community grow so naturally and attract all of the most passionate, ambitious, kind, generous and genuine women. As we move further into the latter half of 2024, we are excited to dive into various opportunities for expansion and continued collaboration. So, stay tuned. Things are about to get even more exciting.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Mindset was something I focused on at the very start of my journey. I knew by taking the leap into starting a business, I was making a commitment to myself and to my family. So, getting into the right mindset was crucial. Part of that mindset work was recognizing that there will always be opportunity to learn and grow. Remaining in a learner mindset keeps me humble, open-minded, curious, and more receptive when things don’t go my way (which has and will continue to happen more often that I’d care to admit).
Another skill that I’ve recently recognized has had a profound impact on our growth has been my ability to make quick decisions. Too often, people remain frozen in an uninspired space because they are too afraid to commit to any action. By taking quick action and consistently sharpening my decision-making skills, I’ve offered myself countless opportunities for growth and improvement. I more quickly realize what is and what isn’t the right direction for me to lean into. While it’s important to consider various factors when making decisions big and small, overthinking can heavily impact your progress. Avoid it all costs and allow yourself to learn by doing.
Lastly, I’ve recognized the immense power of networking and my ability to envision connections and collaborations that have yet to be explored. I wholeheartedly believe in the two common phrases that (1) your network is your net worth and that (2) if you want to go far, go together. The journey within EM/POWERED<i>by</i>WMN has allowed me to confidently lean into my community. By doing so, I am constantly inspired, uplifted, and reenergized. Learning how to connect with all the right people and place myself into all the right rooms has opened up more doors than I can count. Entrepreneurship does not have to be as lonely as many state it to be. Find a community (or five) or even create your own. This is where your success will lie.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
On top of being an entrepreneur, I am also a mother to three young children. Overwhelm constantly likes to rear its head with screaming in the background and an ever-growing to-do list. But despite all there is to juggle, the growth of our company persists without me feeling completely burned out and I credit a lot of that to my self-awareness – another quality I think is crucial for entrepreneurs.
In moments where the overwhelm starts to creep in, it’s important to acknowledge it, sit with it, and, most importantly, allow yourself to take a step back and rest. We can’t perform effectively if we’re not feeling our best and prioritizing our self-care. Recognize when you’re in a state of dis-ease. Then find practices that help to reground you and remind you of your why. For me, it’s a varying rotation of guided meditation, stretching, working out, and just taking a day or two off to spend with my family.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.empoweredbywmn.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/empoweredbywmn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557755498782
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystal-jugarap-46b9251b7/
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@empoweredbywmn
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rJbuAI7YB0Zy2qd0aXZme?si=b0f5d6e189314e7b
Image Credits
@pinksaltphotos, @harpergrey.photography, @mayagray_photography
