September 7, 2021
BBW MEMBER INTERVIEW: Carla Wahnon, Entrepreneur and Financial Coach, CARLA SHAW Sustainable Fashion
What is your name?
Carla Wahnon
What is your occupation?
Entrepreneur and Financial Coach
What is your business name?
How long have you been a Boston Business Women’s Member?
Less than a year
What is your instagram handle?
What is your linked in URL?
Were you born and raised in Boston? If not, what brought you here?
No, I was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. However, my family had roots in New England. When my father retired, he decided to accept a teaching position at UMASS Boston to be closer to his extended family. My parents gave my sister and I the option to come along and... here I am!
Tell us more about your job or company and what led you to your career?
I have had more than a couple of different careers in my journey - and I have enjoyed them all! It has been a fun and exciting learning experience for me. I have met wonderful people along the way, learned a lot and grown stronger. With a Business Degree and a Masters in Early Childhood Education I have been a Kindergarten teacher, a Marketing & Communications executive in large financial institutions, dance instructor, entrepreneur and Financial Coach. Today I am proud to be one of the two founding owners of Banana Samba (www.bananasamba.com), a delicious 100% natural snack 7 years in the market. I am also the sole owner of CARLA SHAW Sustainable Fashion, launched in July 2021. The gorgeous jewelry collection is made with real plants from Brazil that are dehydrated through a delicate process and then eternalized in 18-karat gold (www.carlashawfashion.com). In addition, I am a Financial Coach at COMPASS Working Capital, a not-for-profit financial organization that supports families with low incomes to build assets and financial capabilities as a pathway to greater economic opportunity, and out of poverty (www.compassworkingcapital.org).
What would your clients say about you and your company?
My clients would say that they trust the quality of my products, the top-notch client service, and the caring attention to every single detail - from the packaging to the speed of shipping/delivery of the order.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
This question is so difficult! I have received so much great advice and been grateful for them all. However, since ``all I really needed to know I learned in Kindergarten``, I think I would say it is: Play nice in the Sandbox.
What is your favorite book?
Think Again, by Adam Grant.
What is your secret weapon? An app, a tool, a organization method, anything?! (Can be a personal or professional life tool)
The unconditional support of my husband. He truly believes, trusts and supports my dreams.
What is your most recent WIN? How are you slaying it in your career or business?
The launch of a life-long dream: CARLA SHAW Sustainable Fashion. I have always wanted to have my own business in the fashion industry. I am slaying it by surpassing my dreams because my business is sustainable, it promotes the beauty of the my homeland flora and I have the opportunity to invest in the replantation of trees in the Amazon.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
``Carla, you are not bacon, you can't make everyone happy!``
How do you enjoy your free time?
What is ``free time`` (a new currency)? Running two companies and being a financial coach leave me very little free time. However, I try to self-care by exercising, spending time with my friends (I thank God I have tons), hanging out with my hubby, my sister and playing with my two adorable doggies (16-year old Maltese Furby and 3-year old Terrier Liam). Ah.... restaurants, we do eat out a lot!
What is something that not many people know about you?
I am addicted to Family Feud!
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