We recently connected with Karla Elia and have shared our conversation below.

Karla, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

My brand stands out from the industry standard by valuing women for their inherent qualities. What does this mean? I manage my business in a way that honors my womanhood—I respect my natural cycles, avoid overworking, and accept help when it’s offered. Many of my peers run their businesses in a more traditionally masculine way or push themselves to the point of burnout. In contrast, I prioritize self-respect and confidently assert, “I am a woman who can manage her business with wisdom.”

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As a small business owner who rapidly grew my presence on social media, I offer teachings and insights that some find controversial but many consider life-changing. I firmly believe that every woman can have it all—career, marriage, family, and wealth—by first cultivating an abundant mindset. My services focus on relationship mentorship and dating strategies, with clients engaging through 1:1 coaching packages or masterminds. I address a variety of challenges, but the most common include setting boundaries, building confidence, mastering self-help techniques, navigating dating etiquette, and finding clarity in one’s purpose. One of my proudest achievements is remaining true to my brand despite facing criticism and controversy. There was a time when people would buy my courses just to criticize them and request refunds. However, these “roaches,” as I call them, only taught me how to build a recession-proof business.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One memorable incident involved a critic from TikTok who vehemently disagreed with one of my series. Trying to humble me, she falsely claimed she had taken one of my courses, alleging it did not deliver on its promises. Her video went viral, and soon after, numerous people who hadn’t even taken the course began requesting refunds. The situation was disheartening and could have been detrimental to my business. However, I chose to add more testimonials from previous students who had enjoyed working with me and found the solutions to their problems. This experience not only strengthened my resolve but also garnered more support from my true audience, proving that integrity and resilience would always prevail over unfounded criticism.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I was able to establish my business thanks to the Imperial Women’s Business Center at Southwestern College in San Diego. They provided education on the legal steps necessary for women of color to start their own businesses. Upon successfully completing all the steps, participants were awarded a $5,000 grant to launch their ventures.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.karlaelia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlaeliaa/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIuLeRz46dNCSvGd7q_siJQ