We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rose Buado. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rose below.
Rose, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents immigrated from the Philippines in pursuit of better opportunities and growth for my brothers and me. They were in full-on hustle mode, dedicated to earning enough money to cover our expenses and send support to family members living overseas. Adapting to a new culture was a challenge for them, but they somehow managed to juggle their struggles with providing for us.
In their journey to navigate this unfamiliar world, my parents certainly made their fair share of mistakes. However, they also got many things right when it came to raising my brothers and me. They allowed us the freedom to find our own paths and didn’t burden us with unrealistic expectations. Instead, they encouraged us to chart our own course in life.
The one request my mom had was for us to pursue a college education and all the experiences that come with it. I can confidently say that attending college was a good choice for me, and I still take pride in earning my Bachelor’s Degree.
What sets my parents apart is that they never pressured me to follow a specific career path, unlike many other parents. Their support in this regard is something I deeply appreciate. Since graduating from college, I’ve had the privilege of engaging in numerous experiences, including traveling, meeting new people, and launching several businesses that I’m very passionate about.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m the Co-Founder of In Her Purpose (IHP) Media, a creative media company producing content, community, and events designed for innovative women. I am also the Music Manager of The Filharmonic, a Fil-AM a cappella band and content creators featured in Universal’s movie, Pitch Perfect 2. With over 15 years of experience in marketing, branding, and media, I have a proven track record of delivering successful campaigns and events for various clients and partners.
I’m passionate about serving and supporting the people around me, especially women of color, and helping them achieve their personal and professional goals. Last but not least, I am the co-author of In Her Purpose, a book and organization that advocates for women’s empowerment and leadership. I aim to be a dynamic and a visionary leader who strives to make a positive impact in the world through my work and initiatives.
Can you talk to us about your experience with selling businesses?
In 2021, I made the decision to sell my cafe, believing I had secured a substantial profit. I meticulously reviewed the details, making sure all loose ends were tied up. However, quite unexpectedly, I encountered a significant setback: an unforeseen sales tax bill for the last three months of my ownership, a cost I had failed to factor into the sale. It was a mistake on my part, as I had miscalculated the sales tax implications, and this oversight didn’t come to my attention until this year.
Naturally, I had to shoulder the responsibility and pay the outstanding sales tax, which ate into my profits. It was definitely a lesson learned! If you ever plan to sell make sure you know the importance of a thorough financial plan and due diligence when closing business transactions.
Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, everything seemed to grind to a halt, with the exception of essential workers. Thankfully, I was one of those fortunate enough to continue working at the café. While our establishment fell under the category of a restaurant, which allowed us to stay open, we faced a unique challenge. Unlike some restaurants that had online ordering systems or partnered with services like Uber Eats, we were a small business that primarily relied on foot traffic.
In response to the uncertainty, we made the difficult decision to temporarily close the café for two weeks to strategize our next steps. Fortunately, I had some prior experience in website development, although I had never created a site capable of handling transactions. It was a steep learning curve, but I was determined to adapt.
I dedicated countless hours, day and night, to implementing a new online ordering system, despite my uncertainty about whether it would be enough to cover our lease and expenses. When we eventually reopened, both our loyal customers and our dedicated staff were incredibly receptive to the changes. We did encounter some minor hiccups and setbacks along the way, but in the end, we managed to weather the storm and keep our business afloat.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.inherpurpose.com, www.thefilharmonic.com
- Instagram: @inherpurpose , @TheFilharmonic , @run.of.show.events
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inherpurpose
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosevbuado
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/thefilharmonic
Image Credits
Nico Belasco @nicobelasco D.chanel @Dynslens_Photography