In this episode, Mervin discusses the importance of technology in business with Karina Bol, the founder, and director of Giggedbz. Ltd. Currently based in Tawain, Karina has several years of experience and exposure to international markets and is here to delve into the importance of businesses having an online presence. Join us to learn more in this segment of the Creative Monday Discussion Show, Season 5 Episode 5: “Bringing Technology to the Service Industry in Belize”
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About Karina Bol
There’s no time like the present to take advantage of technology and invest in the betterment of yourself and your business. This is Karina Bol’s firm belief and has been her source of motivation for several years now. Karina is a self-driven and determined businesswoman who has overcome many hurdles on her path to success. With a desire to assist others in having a more efficient and easier journey, her business “Giggedbz Ltd” came to form.
Karina is proudly Belizean and has furthered her education in Taiwan, where she now resides. There, she has been exposed to the various advantages of technology in business, specifically for service providers. Now, Karina’s mission is to bring this advantage to businesses in Belize. As the founder and director of Giggedbz Ltd, she has created a platform that focuses on offering service providers more options to earn an income online by connecting on a local, regional, and international basis.
To add a bit of insight to Karina’s background, she has noted that she grew up in a humble and hardworking home, with both parents being in the service providers’ business realm. In addition, she is one of six siblings and as such was driven to find alternate means, apart from her parents, in order to further her education. Karina was able to accomplish this great feat through scholarships and being employed while attending school. Her most recent academic accomplishment is earning her Master of Business Administration Degree, Ming Chuan University, after having earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting at the University of Belize. Through Karina’s exposure and experiences gained, she seeks to assist Belizean service providers in making their skills well known to the public locally, regionally, and internationally — helping entrepreneurs and businesses alike earn a steady source of income through the proper utilization of her incredible platform.
Key Points from this Episode/ Take Away
- Karina and Mervin discussed her experience as a Belizean living abroad in Taiwan.
- A discussion was held in regards to Karina’s background and qualifications.
- Karina states that her interest in further developing entrepreneurs in the service industry is due to the fact that both of her parents were in this industry.
- The importance of having a driving factor and motivation is discussed.
- Karina introduces her business and shares its purpose and goals.
- A comparison is made of her business to those similar.
- The possibility of being employed internationally is discussed.
- The importance of being able to distinguish when there is a need for a service or product is highlighted.
- Discussed having the ability to determine what problems are in a business, and develop appropriate solutions.
- Karina’s educational background is discussed as well as the journey she undertook to accomplish her academic goals.
- The value of education is conversed upon.
- Different avenues Karina took to pursue her goals are explored.
- The significance of performing a task in the proper manner is highlighted.
- The importance of having positive and influential people around you (mentors, friends, family, community, etc) is reflected upon.
- Karina’s professional working experience is discussed.
- Realizing that not all opportunities granted will be easy is discussed, along with the importance of learning how to manage and handle discouragement.
- Never giving up – finding alternative routes to success is conversed upon.
- The idea of Taiwan being a stepping stone into the world of technological advancement is proposed.
- The changes Karina would like to implement in Belize following her experiences in Taiwan are discussed.
- The ability to bridge the gap between the older and newer generations is discussed, as well as the task of incorporating them into the business realm.
- The cultural differences between Belize and Taiwan are briefly reflected upon.
- The millennial shift is discussed.
- Overcoming cultural norms and embracing new norms is discussed.
- The learning curve facing Belizeans is examined, as it relates to an openness to change.
- Creating a relationship with the people you connect with and the importance therein is analyzed.
- The power of providing support to those involved in your business is emphasized.
- The importance of knowing your marketplace and the quality of service being provided is considered.
- Visibility in the platforms being utilized is discussed.
- The importance of positive customer reviews is highlighted.
- Regional, global, and local standpoints are considered, along with the difference that Giggedbz offers.
- The importance of proper networking/connections is highlighted.
- The desire to build ratings and reviews as per international standards is discussed.
- Long-term goals are shared by Karina.
- Bringing international exposure to service providers in Belize is discussed.
- Redefining work for Belizeans through the use of technology is proposed.
- The integration of new development in Belize in the form of online payment and incorporating it into Karina’s business is discussed.
- The importance of having an online presence is emphasized.
- “Not giving up” is discussed in detail as it relates to Karina’s journey with her business.
- The need and want for growth are discussed.
- Karina shares the most interesting and fascinating aspects of her business venture thus far.
Monday Night Brain Teasers
“If you’re in the entrepreneurial space, the big question you will need to ask yourself is “What problem do I solve?” – Mervin Budram (00:05:21 – 00:05:24).
“Try to provide value to people” – Karina Bol (00:09:48 – 00:09:50).
If you’re in business, if you’re in any venture – it’s packed with lots of discouragement”- Karina Bol (00:11:49 – 00:11:54).
“Bridging that gap between Belize that is so very focused into the old way of doing things, we are very used to word of mouth, we’re very used to asking around and making connections that are a lot less technology-dependent but realizing all the opportunities that lie within using the technologies that we have available” – Karina Bol (00:15:17 – 00:15:34).
“There’s a lot more that we can do if we just take advantage of it” – Karina Bol (00:15:44 – 00:15:46).
“Not only building a platform, building a community” – Karina Bol (00:27:57 – 00:28:03).
“”It’s more than just ‘I make a product and I sell it to you’. It’s an experience that you are providing” – Karina Bol (00:30:38 – 00:30:42).
“Bringing that Belizean flavor into the world will make us a lot different” – Karina Bol (00:33:43 – 00:33:46).
“Learning from the people who I want to bring value to” – Karina Bol (00:42:29 – 00:42:32).
“Take time to learn from your customers, learn what works for them” – Karina Bol (00:43:41 – 00:43:46).
