Interview with Black Business Owner Claudi Cordilia. Claudi is the founder of the business consultancy agency for small business and entrepreneurs called Essency. Read the incredible story of Girl boss Claudi who started from a very young age! It always feels like a blessing when I am able to interview a young black entrepreneur and featured them on the blog.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CURRENT BUSINESS. WHAT ARE YOU DOING EXACTLY?
Essency is a bookkeeping and business consultancy agency for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Essency aims to become a financial business partner. Our motto is: “Think like a multinational”. If you think small, you will stay small. But if you think big, great things will happen!
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR BUSINESS IDEA?
One day, I was having a conversation with a good friend of mine. We were talking about the fact that everything we do, has the goal to help another person. She wanted to help people by teaching and I wanted to help people by helping them achieve their goals. It was at that moment, that Essency was born!
WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE THIS, AND IS THIS YOUR FIRST BUSINESS?
Essency was founded in 2015. At that time, I was a 23-year-old Business Economics student at the University of Groningen. I was a general board member of student cultural centrum named USVA. Essency is the first business I founded.
WHAT SPECIFIC ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN WHO WOULD LIKE TO BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR?
Network, Network & more Network! As an entrepreneur, it is very important to expand your network. Collaborations are a great way to come up with new ideas. Try to create brand recognition for yourself and your business, as this will lead to more (paying) customers.
MY GREATEST OBSTACLE AND HOW DID YOU DEALT WITH IT:
I always want to make time for people, even if it seems impossible. If someone needs me, I will do my best to make time. This has led to times when making time for something came at a cost of something else, or worse, not being able to do both. I have dealt with this obstacle by managing my time better and by saying NO from time to time. Everything is possible, however, you have to plan it in a way that it doesn’t go at the cost of other important things in your life; like family, your social life and your (mental) health.
MY PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:
Being able to speak in front of 30 students at the University in Rotterdam, teaching them the importance of entrepreneurship and all the ins and outs. The feedback I received afterwards was so overwhelming, especially since most of these students were around my age!
“If at first, you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again. Winners are not afraid of losing. People who give up, are”
HOW I BLEND LIFE AND WORK TO CREATE THE LIFE I WANT:
It is very important to make time for your friends and loved ones. I try to work during the week, so I have more free time during the weekends. Once a week, I have “me-time” and I plan a social activity with friend(s), family and my partner. This gives me a boost to prepare for the upcoming week.
I AM INSPIRED BY:
Every single entrepreneur (man or woman) who are doing everything in their power to reach their goals.
WHY I CHOSE THIS CAREER:
I get energy from helping others. That is why I decided to combine this with my passion, finance. I am good at what I do and that is why I try to help others understand the importance of having a solid administration as well as having a financial business partner.
HOW I PREPARE FOR SUCCESS:
Work Hard on my Self-Development.
Embrace Mistakes.
Step Out of my Comfort Zone.
Constantly Working on Self-Improvement.
Don’t forget to have fun during the journey.
DID YOU WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN? WAS IT AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR YOU?
I always write a business plan for all my projects and business ideas. I help others to do the same and encourage everyone to put their ideas on paper.
ARE THERE SPECIFIC ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES TO BEING A WOMEN BUSINESS OWNER?
One of the advantages of being a business owner is that having a business gives you a sense of purpose. Another advantage is that you get to come in contact with different types of entrepreneurs that have the same drive you have. A disadvantage is the stress that entrepreneurship can bring from time to time. Especially, if you are working so hard to achieve a certain goal and you do not see the fruits of your hard labour. However, if at first, you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again. Winners are not afraid of losing. People who give up, are.
