Karine Bengualid founded Brought to You by Letter K to help entrepreneurs tell their stories online
Based in: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
I help entrepreneurs tell their stories online. I ghostwrite blogs for businesses to establish their brand as the industry expert. Blogging also helps build a brand’s community which, in turn, fosters the ‘Know, Like and Trust’ factors necessary to convert leads into customers. I am passionate about helping my clients dominate their industry and finding their voice online.
I gotta ask, where did you come up with that name for your business? Is it what I think it is?
Thanks for asking, Justyna. And yes, it probably is what you think. I like to say it’s my homage to Sesame Street. I am a francophone and I learned to speak English with the help of my older sister and watching episodes of Sesame Street. And each episode was always “Brought to you by…” a letter and a number. Now that I make a living off my second language, I thought it only fitting to pay tribute to the the puppets that got me here. (There’s a little blog about it on my website.)
What is your proudest accomplishment so far when it comes to your business? What helped you get there? Was this accomplishment a clear goal or did it happen by chance?
Starting my own business. It was never my intention to become an entrepreneur, but the proverbial stars aligned one day and “POOF!” it sort of showed up on my doorstep one morning. I love what I do and can’t imagine not doing this. I guess I’m also proof that not everyone plans to be an entrepreneur, sometimes it just happens.
Who/What inspires you?
Other business owners, specifically in Vancouver. As of 2015, small businesses made up 98% of all businesses in the province of British Columbia. So the people I have met since moving to Vancouver in 2014 truly inspire me every day to keep at it and not give up.
How has being an entrepreneur affected your life? How did it change the way you think about life?
Being an entrepreneur has completely changed my work-life dynamic. I used to do the daily 9-5 corporate grind, more like 8-6 or 7 or 11. But now, I carefully curate my workload and ensure my priorities involve spending time with my family and friends instead of being stuck behind a computer screen for two-thirds of my life. Now I get to spend my days exploring this beautiful province and spending more time outdoors.
Do you believe that there is one specific formula for success? What does it mean to be a successful business owner?
I believe success is subjective. For some, that means six or seven figures. For others, like me, it means less time working and more time with family and friends travelling and living.
What does it mean to have competition/competitors? Do you compete/collaborate or just observe? What is the best practice to approach your competition?
As a new entrepreneur, I consider anyone in my field a friend, not a foe. I like to get to know them and their best practices so that I can learn and improve for myself and my clients. I also find that there is a lot of cross-referrals that happen as a result because either it’s not your ideal work or because you’re just too busy. My experience so far has only shown me that entrepreneurs are collaborative, not competitive.
Do you have hobbies? What are they? Is it important to take “time off” and focus on other things such as friends, family, hobbies etc.?
Yes. Some are healthier than others. I love to spend as much time as possible exploring the beautiful province of British Columbia. Being outdoors and hiking in your own backyard is quite special and something I’m not used to coming from Toronto. And if asked, I cannot confirm nor deny my very slight addiction to jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, bingo (especially music bingo) and board games.
What is failure?
Failure is not trying. Failure is regret. IMO.
What is one thing you find to be true that most people would disagree with?
I don’t believe in lead magnets. (*waits for tomatoes to stop being thrown at her*)
The reason is simple: you offer something to a mass audience for FREE in exchange for signing up to your newsletter or social media. They do. But what happens when we get your freebie? We opt-out. Most of us anyway, especially if we really weren’t interested in the first place. So if you’re doing it to beef up your numbers, it’s a terrible tactic. And if you’re doing it to generate leads, well, maybe, but I think it’s way too sneaky and sales-y. And I see them for what they are. Sorry! I prefer to build my funnel the old fashioned way by using the “Know, Like and Trust” factors to my advantage.
What are some pros and cons of having (OR not having) entrepreneurial parents?
My parents were not entrepreneurial, at least not for most of my life, so the notion of pounding the pavement and making it on your own is quite scary and unsettling sometimes.