Real Housewives, Real Entrepreneurs: Caroline Stanbury And Sergio Carrallo Talk Business
Real Housewives, Real Entrepreneurs: Caroline Stanbury And Sergio Carrallo Talk Business
On this episode we engage in a compelling conversation with Caroline Stanbury and Sergio Carrallo, known for their dynamic presence on The Real Housewives of Dubai. Caroline, a seasoned businesswoman and style icon, shares insights into how her reality TV experience has complemented her business pursuits. Sergio, drawing from his background as a professional athlete, explains how qualities cultivated on the field transfer to the entrepreneurial arena.
Together, they give us an inside look at their new venture Bust the Label, a promising game-changer in the wellness space. Caroline and Sergio detail the inception of the brand, overcoming hurdles while launching this innovative product line, and strategizing to make Bust the Label a household name in a crowded market.
This episode is a masterclass at the intersection of celebrity branding and entrepreneurship, with Caroline and Sergio offering a unique perspective on building a business from scratch. Tune in for an exploration of perseverance, strategy, and the power of a shared vision between partners leading a company primed for growth and longevity.
Watch the Interview Here:
Show Transcript
00:41 - Ashley McPherson (Host)
I wanted to start out and ask you about your new line, Bust the Label. It is beautiful and very intentional in the aesthetic. Clearly a tremendous amount of thought and effort went into creating the elevated unboxing experience for your customer. Of all the creative work that went on behind the scenes, what would you say was the most fun or the most challenging bringing the complete Bust the Label vision, to life?
01:32 - Sergio Carrallo (Guest)
I will talk because I think I brought it to life Caroline of like was at the end of the day. But I mean, you know she helped me through the whole process. But you know, I think we always kind of wanted to attach something to us, but we didn't know what was that thing going to be, you know. So it was just I don't know a lot of thought behind of like something that was relatable to us, you know. So. I think you know, bust the Label. It really summarizes who we are. You know, because at the end, you know, we don't feel in the label, we are completely out of what society tells you. You know we have the 10 years age gap If you go by the rules. We should know work. So that's why we created something that you know is completely aligned with, you know, with our personalities and who we are, and always in the wellness space, in the scene.
02:14
But there are always, like products that we use, you know which is. You know, bust the Label, the manifestation books which you know we've been manifesting for so many years, and that's one of the biggest reasons why we are here. You know we created the books. Then we have, you know, the gamys are coming. It was a challenge, you know, to be honest, because even the gamys until now we have probably with the supplier, you know like the label was run so we couldn't launch yet. So so far we only launched the books because it's the only thing available that we have. We have another product coming, which it will be probably the first week of Burning Teas, the fun Burning Teas, oh, awesome. Now it has seen it.
02:48 - Ashley McPherson (Host)
Oh, that's amazing.
02:49 - Sergio Carrallo (Guest)
It's very good.
02:50 - Caroline Stanbury (Guest)
I drink a lot of tea.
02:52 - Sergio Carrallo (Guest)
So we are always drinking it, but people are launching, probably maybe the first to the second February.
02:59 - Ashley McPherson (Host)
That's so exciting Congratulations. My next question as you develop the label from concept to the beautifully executed products that we see today, I'm sure there were many iterations and ideas that you explored along the way. Were there any creative directions, product designs or branding elements that ended up on the chopping block or didn't make the final cut? Ivy fascinated to hear what concepts may have been left behind and what ultimately led you to pivot to the final direction of where it is today.
03:29 - Sergio Carrallo (Guest)
Oh, my God, we had so many. We went through like so many suppliers, so many different countries, but we were going to do the bring to light project. We had so many products. We had like we did tundals, we did like creams, Okay that's a good one.
03:42 - Caroline Stanbury (Guest)
Candles we were going to do candles, but the shipping or the weight of them, that's one of our biggest issues. So many people want to make it global, so many people want the books from all over, but the shipping is ending up being more expensive than the book, which is just. We're not in control of that, obviously. And so candles were just out because it was just it's so niche and so heavy, so that ended up, and I love candles. I've got candles all over my house.
04:11 - Sergio Carrallo (Guest)
You know we had the many other ones. To be honest, it was just like a matter of we want something very relatable to us In the 2024 is a lot, you know. Vis-à-vis-a is in, you know, manifestation. That's why we did the books, you know.
04:24 - Caroline Stanbury (Guest)
Year of the Dragon. It's a lot of manifesting. It's the year of new beginning. Full moon. It's been like. I feel like there's a huge shift in everybody. I think the year last year was so shit for everybody that it's just. You know, it's just.
04:41 - Sergio Carrallo (Guest)
I think, and what people want, yeah, but you know, mainly they buy the label is mainly about the gummies. Well, we cannot speak. It's a little bit because it's taking longer. You know, as far as the time is, it is supposed to be ready by December. But then we are like, oh my god, like we need products available. So that's why we develop other products. But you know, mainly the gummies is because you know people don't want to take pills. You know they want to take something easy that feels like a, like a gummy, like you know like it. So it's just a snack versus the. That's not exactly yet you can bring it traveling and you know, and it's healthy. So healthy is not. So that's kind of what we're waiting to. You know, we have so many ideas of new products that we want to develop, but you know this is just kind of like a we quite like the first ones to arrive.
05:24 - Caroline Stanbury (Guest)
We're argued with our supplier and there you go. You know, it doesn't matter who you are or you know whatever. We all have the same problems when you bring bring it any to to market and they're your life.
05:37 - Sergio Carrallo (Guest)
Yes, so many people. The business where we are in, which is mainly e-commerce business. I think it's about testing products, you know. It's about, like you know, seeing what people like, seeing how the trend goes, you know where it resonates with people. That's why it's all dancing like from now to the next three years, let's say you know many ten products in total and then see what really fits in the market. I would really worse.
05:55 - Ashley McPherson (Host)
It's so true. We all have those supply chain issues that we have to work through. Over the many ventures and brands you've built, there have likely been pivotal moments where difficult business decisions had to be made. What's been the hardest business decision you've had to make so far, and how did you determine that right path forward for you?
06:15 - Sergio Carrallo (Guest)
So many to be honest.
06:17 - Caroline Stanbury (Guest)
Well, I, when I quit Ladies at London, that was a business decision. When I signed Ladies at London, that was a business decision.
06:26 - Sergio Carrallo (Guest)
You know, the recent one and the biggest one I could say is Bali, because you know we're doing business in a country that we had no idea about it, literally anything. It was just about learning. Going back and forth, trying to get the culture, trying to get the people learn how to Dubai or Leesland, and then I started to, to dig into the country just to see who are the best architects. It's just, it was a big process and we were really very close to not do it. It was we have problem with our partner and then at the end we are like, okay, listen, we're gonna go ahead, we're gonna do it. If we don't, if we don't say yes, we're never gonna do it.
07:01
And then we went fully in it and now we are in need of garden Designing and almost like building, and it's just so exciting, to be honest. But it was a matter of you know, I remember we're fighting. We were like, oh my god, we're not do it, do it, do it, Do it, do it. You know to be just investing this country in Dubai, which is where we leave you so much this year. But at the end, you know the ROI is so much better there and the opportunity is amazing, so we took the risk.
07:23 - Ashley McPherson (Host)
I was wondering. You seem to have such a supportive, loving partnership. What's your secret to overcoming obstacles and keeping that bond strong despite the stress of business?
07:34 - Sergio Carrallo (Guest)
But I mean that when you're talking, just kicking me under the table, so that's how it's for our series, you understand. But I mean, honestly, it's amazing to work together because it's just, you know, we're fine, we always love and we're friends, and I think one of the biggest mistakes people take is they they just forget about laughing and they take things way too seriously. Like I kind of I kind of vary when I go to this office. Is an onboard meeting or something with all these people, this serious man, like it's just not who we are, you know, and I just you know I'm the same as I think we can do it, you know.
08:06 - Caroline Stanbury (Guest)
So it didn't want to grown-up relationship. Yeah, we Japan I want to age back. Yeah, I'm not yeah.
08:13 - Sergio Carrallo (Guest)
I mean the same. I used to, you know, when I was like 18, 19 something, I used to dress so much older, you know. Trying to just make you know, do something in business, and I was like it's just not about that, it's about making things that do, things that make you happy gonna make you money right.
08:29 - Ashley McPherson (Host)
I just want to thank you. You are both such an inspiration to all of us and thank you so much for your time and speaking with me today. I really appreciate it.