American Business Women’s Day
To celebrate National Business Women’s Day we asked Carla Mata, COO of JP Home Furnishings and founder/ partner of Creative Communication Services about her experience as a leading woman in business.
Q. Why do you think it is important to celebrate American Business Women’s Day?
Women in the 21st century have so many opportunities afforded them because of the fight, and endurance, of women before them that paved the way. For that reason alone, for those women, American Business Women's Day should be recognized.
Q. Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? If so, how did you overcome them?
I had an incredibly strong mother growing up, who worked harder than anyone I've, to this day, ever seen. We had no money, to a degree many people don't see. If there were barriers when I began my career, I was working too hard to notice them. As a more mature entrepreneur, the only difference I see between women & men in their careers, and life in general, is that women put A LOT more pressure on themselves than men do. It's just our nature.
Q. What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?
Oh goodness, so many good morsels. Your career, your work, doesn't define you.
Just showing up is half the battle.
One of my mentors in my thirties gave me some great language skills in regard to taking the emotion out of business writing. For instance, in lieu of saying "The company needs to" or "I feel blank/blank/blank", you say "I recommend or I suggest". It's thought provoked vs emotion provoked. It's extremely powerful and something I live by today.
Q. What is an important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their careers?
A career, a job, is great, yet family must be first. Choose a career, and company, that enables you to have a life outside of work and respects and honors the family piece. It's easy to lose yourself to your work. Secondly, absolutely, 100% LOVE & be PASSIONATE about what you do day in and day out. If you do that, not only will you succeed, you'll love your life and your work won't feel like work. It'll feel like a hobby.
Q. Is there anyone that inspires you in your career?
Humm. So many people. My Mom because she was a domestic most of my life and never felt if beneath her. She made it an artform, was the best at it, enjoyed it, and made good money all while raising a family. My Dad too. He came to America from Cuba when he was thirteen. He didn't know the language, came from an affluent life in Cuba to a nothing life in America - worked beyond tirelessly (3 jobs) all while going to university full-time and never, not once, complained. That kind of drive and commitment is rare.