Iria Talladay is a Serial Entrepreneur and business coach who embodies the American Dream. After moving to the United States from her native Costa Rica, she managed to build a successful 7 figure e-commerce business from scratch and position herself as an innovative industry thinker with solid entrepreneurial acumen. Her achievements prove that it is always possible to follow the path that will lead to fulfillment, regardless of background or heritage. Now she is focused on paving the way and helping other entrepreneurs do the same.
Iria Talladay, CEO and Founder
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you, your life, and the pivotal moment that brought you to where you are today.
I am a proud Hispanic businesswoman, wife, and soon-to-be mother of two under two! I love the outdoors and spending time with my family and my dogs. I have always wanted to live by my own rules and consider myself a rebel. However, far from being a rebel without a cause, I love structure and have always known the importance of hard work and persistence. I have a bachelor’s degree in PR and Advertising, and an MBA focused on management and operations.
I knew early on that I wanted to focus my talent and creativity on being my own boss and building a life that fit my terms and vision. Hispanic culture is very entrepreneurial by nature, and my family is a classic example of this. Both my parents created successful businesses of their own. Growing up with such strong role models was not always easy, but it was worth it! From them, I learned that achieving my dreams was possible (and expected of me) and that if you are looking for results, you will inevitably have to put in the work.
After working for my father for several years, I realized that being under his wing, professionally, was both a blessing and a curse. Although the lessons I learned from him are invaluable, and I am incredibly thankful for them, they also made me realize that I needed to step away from the family business and make myself proud by forging my own path.
It was then that life gave me the opportunity to move to the United States. I took it without hesitation. I did not have a plan, a clear vision, or a trust fund, but I did have an immense desire to grow professionally and personally. When born an entrepreneur, you enjoy driving through the rough, off-path trail, even if it’s bumpier than a corporate job highway.
I packed my bags and jumped on a plane. I literally came to this country with less than a thousand dollars (which I borrowed from my brother). I used that money to pay the first month’s rent on my apartment and get myself a blanket, some stuff for the kitchen, and the loveliest cup of coffee I could afford. I knew that seemingly small detail would help me feel inspired during my morning routine. I still keep all of the things I bought that day as lucky charms and reminders of where I started.
After that initial leap of faith, my life changed completely. That moment was pivotal and humbling. I was starting over in a place that was entirely new to me, during a time when I was feeling more vulnerable than ever, and yet, I was able to prove to myself that I could survive and make it on my own.
What is your business name, its goals, and how do you help your clients?
I am the owner and creator of The Bean Online. A business blog/ tool kit for entrepreneurs. Our focus is to provide information, recommend services we have used over the years, and test new technologies to keep up with current trends. We want to save our customers time by doing all the research and analytical work, providing detailed content for their current needs, and facilitating their decision-making process. This allows them to save money and time, thus being able to focus on growing and streamlining their entrepreneurial endeavors. I am passionate about providing the tools needed to inspire others to venture out and channel their entrepreneurial skills into profitable models built to succeed.
Anyone can develop entrepreneurial skills; you do not need to have millions of dollars to your name to build a successful business. The fact that I did it shows you that it is possible. Once I started my company and reached the 7-figure mark, I knew it was time to help others do the same!
Creating your own business is about having the right tools, mindset, and, most importantly, being willing to do the work. If you add education to that mix (the first building block for self-improvement), it will be easier to deal with the challenges that come with being self-employed. The most important thing when it comes to determining whether you will succeed or not is persistence. Your mind has to be wired not to give up. The Bean Online was designed to serve as a tool kit where you can find resources to aid you in all the above.
How has branding impacted your business’ success?
Branding has been an instrumental part of every business I have participated in. Taking the time to build a brand that stands out is a fundamental part of creating something unique.
If you look up the word “brand” in the dictionary, it will define it in terms of names, designs, symbols, or figures that differentiate one's goods or services from the rest. However, to me, a brand is way more than that. A brand is a business’s DNA, personality, aftertaste, and overall vibe!
Building a client base takes effort, and so does keeping one. With so many choices readily available to potential customers, you need to know what your audience wants and then deliver it in a way that is creative and appealing. Standing out amongst the vast ocean of options is not for the faint of heart. However, if you manage to do so, you are setting yourself up with a competitive advantage that will reap many benefits in the short and long term.
When building a brand, you need to aim to achieve something memorable, likable, and adaptable (in a way that can cover more than one product, market niche, etc. this ensures that brand equity is maintained through time).
Focus on developing a clear image of your ideal customer and how you will ensure your offer stands out innovatively. You can read more on how you can achieve that here.
What is your work inspired by?
Many things inspire me. One of them is that you can grow exponentially if you are willing to put in the work, constantly learn and challenge your preconceived notions. When you are focused on moving forward, you won’t have to worry about hitting a glass ceiling because there isn’t one. The sky is the limit.
I am also inspired by human beings (especially women). We are remarkable creatures. When we think that our plates our full, we manage to find a way to transform them into bottomless bowls that keep holding more. More ideas, more thoughts, and more dreams!
Being a mother is also one of my main sources of inspiration. Motherhood has helped me improve my persistence and develop an ironclad will. Once you have children, you are responsible for setting an example for them, and I do not take that lightly when I think about the lessons that I want to teach my kids; not giving up and always going after their dreams are among the top ones. That, and to constantly learn from their mistakes. Nothing worth building will come easy, and making mistakes is part of our nature. However, the ability to learn from those mistakes and grow accordingly separates those who make it from those who don’t. Hard lessons toughen the spirit, and some things cannot be learned from someone else's experience. You have to go through them on your own.
I would love to see a world where women and mothers from different backgrounds can lead successful businesses that provide them with financial freedom. When that happens, the world as a whole will improve. Becoming a mother is a top-notch training ground for women who dream of creating successful businesses. A woman who can run her home smoothly will most likely be able to do the same for her company.
What would you like to achieve for yourself and your business in the future?
I would love to continue empowering like-minded individuals and providing them with tools for their development for many years to come. I am very aware that to succeed, you need a great team. It’s like that African proverb that says, “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”.
I take great pride in the fact that I have managed to create a strong team of professionals who share my vision and are instrumental to my success and the success of my businesses. Knowing I can generate employment opportunities for talented individuals brings me immense joy and fulfillment.
I plan to expand my business mentor career through The Bean Online and keep sharing my knowledge with entrepreneurs willing to change their lives and grow incredible brands and business models. Growing my platform and lifting each other up will allow me to change my community and feel like I am actively contributing to making the world a better place for my children, their children, and everyone else.
How does networking impact the way you interact with your industry?
Connection is the thread that holds everything together. Everything is connected. So, seeking to connect and collaborate is fundamental to my personal and professional growth.
Interacting and learning from others generates the most impactful results when building a sustainable career as an entrepreneur—sharing ideas, experiences, and resources with like-minded individuals is always incredibly rewarding. The opportunity to learn and grow increases when we are open to interacting and receiving honest feedback from those who have achieved what we aim to achieve. Therefore, one of the main objectives behind The Bean Online is to build a community in which every member contributes and adds value. I am always delighted to connect with projects, brands, and colleagues seeking to learn new things and reach their highest potential.
Please visit our website to learn more about our project. I would love to network, chat, and share a virtual cup of coffee with you, so feel free to reach out! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and connect with me through my LinkedIn profile.
