Name
Paulina Murillo Houldsworth
How old are you?
29
Where do you call home?
Greater LA Area
What do you do for a living/profession?
Social Entrepreneur
When do you feel most empowered and alive?
Attending events that empower women entrepreneurs, particularly social entrepreneurs. For example, I attended Las Chingonas: The Badass Women of Mexico HER Story, an interactive lecture w/ live music in San Francisco depicting Badass Mexican Women who often go unnoticed for their contributions to our history due to their gender. Women are hustlers. We’re innovative, passionate, and ALWAYS find ways to survive, even when the spotlight is taken away from us.
Where do you see compassion shaping your life?
Working with people with developmental disabilities has taught me the true meaning of compassion. There was a young woman in particular with Down Syndrome I met a couple years ago who happened to be my age. All she wanted was to be able to sell bracelets she made. Here you have a person who is marginalized on so many levels:
- Being a woman
- Being a brown woman
- Having a life altering genetic disorder
Helping her became my mission in life. We started by getting additional supplies for her to make bracelets. Then we came up with a business plan fit for a launch. Needless to say, this young woman has become someone so incredibly special in my life. She was able to make a few hundred dollars selling her bracelets, and once she was “out of stock,” she was over it.
I couldn’t help but laugh as she said, I’ll never forget this— “I’m done, now I can get my tablet.” If that isn’t a hustler I don’t know what is.
What dreams/goals do you hope to achieve in the next 5 years?
I want MADA to multiply its impact on the lives of marginalized women entrepreneurs in developing countries. We just launched and so far we have been able to fund 14 micro loans for women entrepreneurs. From providing an entrepreneur in Nigeria with enough funds to purchase additional equipment for an internet cafe. Or providing a seamstress in Kenya access to fabrics—it’s all about sustainability. Each shirt we sell helps fund a micro loan for a woman entrepreneur to jump start her business. As her business grows, she repays her loan to us. And once it’s fully repaid, we reinvest in another entrepreneur. Sustainability is key.
Who is your role model and why?
I have three. First, my father. He made lemonade out of lemons that had been left out to dry. And he was still able to add a hint of tequila for the sake of the cultura. Second, Sor Juana Inez de La Cruz. She never let her intellect and curiosity to be taken away by those who suppressed her. Finally, Frida Kahlo. She always picked herself up even after life kicked her to the ground over and over again.
What do all these three share in common? The will to never, ever quit and to focus on the stuff that REALLY MATTERS.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
With MADA in mind, I wish my superpower was Omnilinguilism— the ability the understand, speak and read any language. I would LOVE to easily be able to communicate with our partners around the world. Google translate fails me sometimes.
What is your favorite veggie-friendly dish?
That’s an easy one—udon noodles with snow peas! Yum, my mouth is watering as I type.
BadASS Lady Boss
What prompted you to explore social enterprise and start your own business?
Believe it or not, my brother was the catalyst. His experience abroad as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar (where the name MADA comes from) working with women-owned small businesses or co-ops inspired him to continue the work upon return to the U.S. He reached out to me and said,
“I have a crazy idea and want a badass woman to join me.”
He knows I am unapologetic when it comes to my beliefs. And he apparently knew right away that I was the right girl for the job. I like to think so too.
What is your favorite aspect of being a BadAss lady boss?
The message that we as women can too. The message that we have the ability to empower one another without an ulterior motive but rather for sake of social goodness.
What is one of the biggest challenges you face in successfully running a start-up?
Limited resources and having so little time to bring all our ideas to fruition. On top of MADA, I have a full-time job and am completing my MBA. MADA is still growing so we are always eager to spread our message of empowering women entrepreneurs. It’s hard work but at the core of it all, I believe in MADA and I believe we can make a difference.
What advice would you give to women seeking to become an Entrepreneur?
Ask for help. There are genuine and super talented people, including family, friends and even strangers who are willing to lend you and your vision a hand.
THANKS TO OUR MARCH QUEEN BEE PAULINA MURILLO HOULDSWORTH. TO SUPPORT AND FOLLOW HER BUSINESS CHECK OUT MADA CO’S
WEBSITE: https://madacompany.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/EveryShirtHasAStory/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/mada_company
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mada_co/
EMAIL: info@madacompany.com
KEEP ROCKING IT YOU BADASS LADY BOSS!