We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sara Quintero a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At KarmaChic, my mission is to empower women entrepreneurs by providing a platform where they can showcase their businesses, connect with a supportive community, and access valuable resources. This mission is deeply personal to me—it’s not just about creating a marketplace; it’s about building a space where dreams can grow and flourish.

I’ve always been inspired by the resilience, creativity, and determination of women who juggle countless responsibilities while pursuing their entrepreneurial goals. Too often, women lack access to the right platforms, networks, and opportunities to scale their businesses. I created KarmaChic to change that narrative.

I wanted to create more than just a selling platform—I wanted to build a community-driven space where women can feel supported in their unique journeys. Whether it’s launching a side hustle or scaling an existing business, KarmaChic is here to amplify their voices, offer them visibility, and connect them to a growing network of like-minded entrepreneurs.

For me, it’s not just about commerce—it’s about connection, empowerment, and growth. As KarmaChic expands, I’ll continue integrating innovative tools and creating new ways for vendors to succeed, while staying true to the belief that when women succeed, communities thrive.

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.

I’ve always been inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit—especially women who take risks to start something of their own, often while balancing countless other responsibilities. Over the years, I noticed that many talented women struggled with visibility and lacked access to resources that could help their businesses thrive. I wanted to change that by creating a space where they could not only sell their products or services but also feel part of a community that truly understands their journey.

I also wanted to leverage my retail experience, having owned and operated my own brick-and-mortar boutique, where I learned firsthand what it takes to build a brand from the ground up. Through both successes and failures, I gained invaluable insights into what works (and what doesn’t) when running a small business. Additionally, with my background in tech, I saw an opportunity to combine these two worlds—retail and technology—to create a platform that offers both a digital marketplace and tools designed to help vendors succeed in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven environment.

At KarmaChic, I provide a platform where women can:
Sell their products: From handmade goods to curated collections, KarmaChic helps women entrepreneurs reach new customers.
Promote their services: Whether it’s professional services, creative works, or consulting, vendors can showcase their expertise.
Connect with a community: I’m building a space where vendors can collaborate, share knowledge, and grow together.
Gain visibility: Through initiatives like live interviews, vendor spotlights, and cross-promotional opportunities, I help vendors tell their stories and reach wider audiences.
Access cutting-edge tools: I’m continuously integrating the latest AI-driven tools for SEO and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) to help vendors increase their online visibility and attract more customers.
What Problems I Solve
One of the biggest challenges for women entrepreneurs is visibility. Many platforms focus purely on transactions, but KarmaChic is built around connection and empowerment. I’m addressing the need for a space where women can:

Grow without high upfront costs (It’s free for inaugural vendors).
Collaborate rather than compete by fostering a sense of community.
Get personalized support to help them succeed, whether they’re just starting out or scaling their business.
What Sets Me Apart
I think what sets me and KarmaChic apart is the focus on both commerce and community. This isn’t just a platform to sell—it’s a place to grow, learn, and connect. I care deeply about the success of every vendor on the platform and am personally involved in creating opportunities for them to shine. Whether through live interviews or connecting vendors with each other, I’m always thinking about how to add value to their journey.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of taking the leap to create something that’s mission-driven. Seeing vendors join the platform and getting to hear their stories is incredibly rewarding. Knowing that I’m creating a space where women feel supported and valued makes all the effort worth it.

What I Want People to Know
At its core, KarmaChic is about empowering women entrepreneurs and fostering a sense of community where creativity and ambition can thrive. It’s about making sure women have the resources, visibility, and connections they need to succeed. I want people to know that when they support KarmaChic, they’re not just buying a product—they’re supporting real women, real dreams, and real stories.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2018, I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my entrepreneurial journey—I shut down my brick-and-mortar boutique. Running my own store was a dream come true, and for years, I poured my heart into building something special. But as time went on, I faced increasing challenges: rising operational costs, shifting customer behavior toward online shopping, and the constant pressure to stay competitive in an evolving retail landscape.

While it was tough to walk away, I knew it wasn’t the end—it was simply time to pivot. Shutting down the boutique taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of embracing change. I didn’t see it as a failure; instead, it became the foundation for my next chapter.

After closing the store, I took the experience I had gained—both the successes and the hard-learned lessons—and combined it with my passion for technology. That’s when the idea for KarmaChic Marketplace started to take shape. I realized I could use my retail background and tech knowledge to create something even bigger: a platform where women entrepreneurs could showcase their products and services, gain visibility, and access resources I wish I’d had when I started.

This pivot wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. It gave me a clearer vision of what I wanted to build and who I wanted to serve. Looking back, I’m proud of how that experience shaped me as a business owner and gave me the drive to create a space where others could learn, grow, and thrive.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn—and one of the hardest—was that I didn’t need to have everything perfectly figured out to be successful. For a long time, I dealt with imposter syndrome, constantly questioning whether I was “qualified” enough or if I truly belonged in the spaces I was navigating. Despite having years of experience running my own boutique and a solid foundation in tech, I found myself feeling like I wasn’t “enough” when compared to others who seemed more accomplished or polished.

The backstory? When I first launched my boutique, I felt out of place. even though I have a background in retail (I studied Fashion Merchandising at Florida State University) I wasn’t sure if my approach was “right.” I spent a lot of time second-guessing decisions, over-preparing for everything, and downplaying my wins because I felt like I hadn’t “earned” them. Even after I gained experience and saw success, those doubts lingered.

It wasn’t until I began connecting with other entrepreneurs that I realized many of us feel this way—no matter how qualified or experienced we are. That realization was a game-changer. I learned that waiting to feel “ready” or “perfect” was holding me back. I didn’t need permission to show up as my authentic self and share what I knew.

Unlearning imposter syndrome wasn’t an overnight process—it took time, practice, and a mindset shift. I had to remind myself that expertise isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up, learning, and being willing to grow. Now, when those moments of doubt creep in, I recognize them for what they are—just fear, not truth.

That’s why I created KarmaChic with such a strong focus on community and empowerment. I want women entrepreneurs to know they don’t have to have all the answers to start—they just need to begin. Sometimes, showing up is the hardest part, but it’s also where real growth happens.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.karmachicmp.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karmachicmp/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karmachicmp
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraquintero/