Kate Hancock built four highly successful businesses in less than ten years with revenues that ranged from six to eight figures. She started these businesses from the ground up with no funding, in various industries.
Her first venture was an e-commerce business that started with only $20. Within a year she grew this business to over a million dollars in revenue and over 15 million in online sales.
Kate then reinvested her earnings into a hotel brand in the Philippines. What started as a sketch on a napkin and a dream, Bintana Sa Paraiso has been named one of the top hotels in the country. All the while, she managed its construction and development completely remote which is not a small feat being thousands of miles away and working in different time zones. The success of her hotel shows not only her tenacity but her ability to work in challenging, unique conditions.
Kate did not limit her success there, instead, she kept going. One of her true passions is to help people have healthier, beautiful skin. This led her to open a spa that served a diverse clientele. From a small room of 100 square feet, OC Facial Center became a premier location for exceptional service. Her beautiful spa went on to receive the recognition of being in Inc 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America, not only once but twice.
Integrating her ability to create exceptionally successful businesses and her desire to help, Kate created a community on Clubhouse from 0 to 99,000 entrepreneurs globally in just ten months. To date, Kate has impacted over 5 million entrepreneurs. She has produced the longest-running virtual summit in the world that ran for 85 days 24/7.
Kate continues to garner recognition in every industry she touches. Most recently, she was honored as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina in the World, and Top 8th Asian American Influencer in 2021 by Tripadvisor.
Who is Kate Hancock?
Kate Hancock, known as "The Pivot Queen" by those who know her tireless work ethic, is a serial entrepreneur, international speaker, and a mom of two amazing boys.
How have you moved in the New Year?
I spent the last year learning about the Web 3.0 and Metaverse and now focusing majority of my attention here as I see a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs to get in and change the world.
Do you set goals for yourself? How important is goal setting to you?
Goal setting is critical. I like to set one Giant goal or mission, for us its to impact 100 million entrepreneurs, this is more of a life time goal. Then I like to break down my goals to the daily level so that I can track progress. Without goals a person can feel lost and not know when success is being met. Goals can be personal like I have a daily list such as; laugh every day.
What is your key New Year goal?
This is the year of collaboration. I have an abundance mindset and realized collaboration is much better than trying to compete with everyone.
As a teenager, did you ever think you'd grow into the Pivot Queen you are today?
I went to school for psychology as I wanted to help people. But, growing up I worked in a family business. I always had this drive to want to be better and accomplish more. I knew a small island was not for me and I needed to be where there were more opportunities.
You built an e-commerce business with $15 million worth sales from ground up with just $20. How did you make that happen?
Well, I started this as my ‘side hustle’ while working my full-time job. I was very bored and decided to scan clearance items at Costco. I used the knowledge of the industry as well as data to see when items were going to sell what times on Amazon and next thing you know I was buying pallets of items because sales were taking off. This was ten years ago when there were not many people selling skincare online so I had little competition. I was obsessed with data and always trying to improve. I had a virtual assistant helping so I would pack and ship to increase profit margins, but at the same time I became exhausted working 24 hours per day literally. I eventually started selling my own brands as well but one downfall is relying too much on one platform and not collecting customer data to sell to them directly.
You managed to re-invest your earnings into a mega successful hotel…
I started with one tiki hut and once that was booked 6 months in advance I decided to open another and another. After running out of room, I opened a second location in the mountains. I utilized influencer marketing; connecting with influencers when they were much smaller but had very good content and as they grew they continued to help. They would film TV shows there and because of that many celebrities would visit throughout the year. I also figured out how to drive sales through Facebook ads and a chat bot in order to streamline the customer experience. To me the customer experience is absolutely number one and that goes into it how we train our staff, making sure everyone puts the customer first. I have an incredible staff who basically have done a good job since day one even when I'm thousands of miles away.
Then you opened a successful spa and beauty center…
Similar to the hotel, we started with one treatment room which was very small and as the business grew, we continued to add on and also moved to a bigger location eventually. I always start small, test the market and once I realize there is a fit, then I put the gas on.
You are not just passionate about creating successful businesses, you have the community around you at heart. Why is this important to you?
Nowadays I focus more on how I can be of value and service to others. That is why the community is so important to me. It is how I can reach my mission of impacting 100 million entrepreneurs. Not only do we impact them in the community, but they will as well go and impact others. Plus, one of the most important things about serving the community is that they will rally around any product or service that you launch and you can support each other.
What does success mean to you?
Success means having the freedom to do what I want. That's success to me.
Why is it still so hard for women to run successful businesses?
As women we tend to overthink and seek perfectionism. This slows us down. We have to remind ourselves that businesses don't have to be perfect.
You're a successful entrepreneur. And a mother and wife. How do you create life and work balance?
I do not believe in work life balance. I believe we complement our time based on what makes us happy and accomplishes our goals. It is not easy to start a business, be a mom and a wife at the same time. You may have to make sacrifices like your Childs recital, its just the reality.
Have you failed at something before? How were you able to move forward?
I lost my main business overnight in 2018. It was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to deal with in my life. It left me going to Physical Therapy with nerve damage from the stress and inability to get up out of bed. Luckily, I had a forum of like minded peers and a supportive husband who were able to convince me that I needed to get back to what I am good at.
What, in your opinion, defines a stellar woman?
Confidence, generous, empowering others.
If you had to go back in time, what would you change about your life story and why?
I would change being so self critical. In order to be happy as a leader and a woman you have to embrace who you are.
Where do we see Kate in the next 5 -10 years?
Continue building a legacy and helping others, employing more people, and a IPO company one day.
What's your life mantra?
Do good and the universe will reward you.
How do you start your day?
I try to laugh every day in the morning. Meditate and exercise as early as possible. I block off the first half of the day every day to ensure I am in the best headspace.
Please leave a challenge for the Stellar Woman readers to make them learn to be more stellar in 2022
I challenge you to surround yourself with like minded and smarter people. Be protective over who is in your space and the energy around you.
