“If you have a business idea, and if you are able to, just jump in, regardless of the fear. The fear of not knowing what could have been is worse than the fear of failing. So my advice for future entrepreneurs is to not hesitate, go with your gut and try.”
Carmen Booth, who was born in the Philippines, had the opportunity to move to the United States with her family when she was four years old, where she has gained exposure to various cultures and backgrounds as a result of the experience. During her time in the country, Carmen learned to embrace both her Filipino heritage and to adapt to life in the States, where she later embarked on a prosperous journey in a university in Seattle.
Returning Back to Asia
Fast forward to 2009, during the global recession, Carmen and her husband, who is also her business partner, decided to travel the world and see where life would take them. The couple moved to Singapore, where they found work and began a new chapter in their lives.
Carmen, a University of Washington graduate, saw an opportunity in the Philippines’ BPO/KPO/Staff Leasing industries. At this point, the concept for Booth & Partners began to take shape, where Carmen was especially drawn to the idea of establishing the firm in the Philippines due to her rooted heritage.
To date, Booth & Partners is now a well-known firm in Makati, Philippines. When asked about the challenges she faced as a woman entrepreneur in the country, Carmen admitted to facing gender discrimination, but still believes that the Philippines is more advanced in terms of gender equality for men and women in senior positions.
“I do feel in the Philippines, the equality standard for women in senior roles is actually stronger than in Western cultures. Filipino women are, by nature, strong personalities. So culturally, it is already accepted that there will be women in these leadership roles. I use the quote: men are the head of the family, but women are the neck that can turn the head in any direction that we choose.”
Aside from gender, her advice to anyone aspiring to be a successful entrepreneur is to simply jump in and navigate through the challenges that arise. She advocates looking for the right opportunities, having a strong support system, and taking the risk of creating something and doing it well.
“If you have a business idea, and if you are able to, just jump in, regardless of the fear. The fear of not knowing what could have been is worse than the fear of failing. So my advice for future entrepreneurs is to not hesitate, go with your gut and try.”
The Joy of Philippines
Carmen’s return has brought her professional success, as well as the opportunity to give back to the Filipino community in a meaningful way through Booth & Partners’ various corporate social responsibility programmes.
“I’m proud to be able to come home and create something that employs Filipinos as well as give back through local organisations to help communities. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to positive changes in the country that has given so much to my family and me.”
