Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Karla Toscano, Owner of Unique Giveaway Gifts & Souvenirs, located in Edmonton, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Handmade crafts for favors, giveaways, or souvenirs for Baptism, weddings, debuts, and birthdays. My Filipino community mostly are my customers; in our culture, we love to give a little appreciation to guests. My small craft business is an idea that I really love to make! And by purchasing, you help support a dream, a family, and so much more. I really work hard on my designs, and whenever I am received blessings from my clients, I always give back to my community. Every year I give a raffle to a mom in need of giveaways for baptism favors or sometimes a mom in need of support if they are going through a medical condition like cancer. I give them a free shirt with encouraging wordings, or I join some charities that my fellow Filipino organize to help special children, or I send money back home for a feeding program for kids so they can eat fast-food meals that they cannot afford.
Tell us about yourself
My profession now is a patient care coordinator; I have finished a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management in the Philippines. I did my on-the-job training at the age of 19 in Singapore, then right after, I went home and started to make handmade fountains, but I was hired at a cruise ship as a Hotel stewardess, I have been a supervisor for eight years, and I have been a flower arranger on the side, then I came here in Canada back in 2010 I got my Permanent Residency back in 2014 and studied Medical Office, and I have been a Clinic Manager for five years then I kept thinking of my God-given talent that I am blessed to have been given I humbly started my small craft business last 2018 while working full time and always been grateful every time all that favors that I have made all my clients were satisfied and I made them happy that makes my heart filled with joy! These are all my inspiration and motivation ever since.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
That I am so blessed, grateful, and thankful that my dream is really coming true my biggest accomplishment is my new "Perfume Bar" that we are setting up for events. This makes us proud as Filipinos are one of the first to be creative on this concept, the First in Edmonton, and now it is starting to be well known; it is unique, and everybody is amazed. We launched this two months ago together with my supportive husband. I will not make it without him beside me.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
A competitor will always be around you, especially if you are unique; somebody will be inspired by what you are creating, but this never stops me from creating more lovely, quality, simple but elegant favors. I am recommending them too to other of my clients to support.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Do what you love and what makes you happy and follow your dreams and goals and never give up!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
There will be a time someone will challenge your skills; do not give up; instead, be inspired and be humble. Your creativeness is God given gift!
Where can people find you and your business?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uniquegiveawaygifts
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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