I’m starting a set of articles for September called The Courage Series featuring women who have pursued their dreams with courage, persistence, perseverance and devotion so you can be inspired to pursue yours.
Len Cabili is the founder and creative director of Filip + Inna, a brand that makes you proud to be Filipino. In each beautiful piece, you can find the skill and history of indigenous groups around the Philippines. Filip + Inna brings into each garment ancient techniques of weaving, embroidery and beadwork. It creates and preserves ancient traditions and improves the lives of its artisans. The human hand is seen and felt in each creation as the artisan breathes life into it. Here, Len talks about how her faith is the essential ingredient in her entrepreneurial journey.
1. How did you get here? How did the path of entrepreneurship begin for you?
It was one arduous path as I was coming from a background of public service. My first real exposure to being an entrepreneur was through a retail family business. I made a lot of mistakes and failed at times but one thing I learned from that experience is that being an entrepreneur entails a lot of sacrifices and the whole business is dependent on you.
2. What do you wish you did when you were just starting out?
I wish I was more discerning in terms of handing finances—and I wish I had learned early on the wisdom of saving money.
3. How did you cultivate the patience and perseverance when things were slow, when business was harder than you thought it would be?
Through Filip + Inna, my faith was tested and made stronger as I depended and trusted in God for strength, wisdom, discernment and provision. Through the hard times, it was God who pulled me through. He gave me miracles that could only come from Him.
4. How did you push past your fear of failure, fear of losing money, fear of putting yourself out there?
I was able to face the fear of failure when I know I had to obey God. There were times when I felt like I was David facing Goliath but I knew I had to trust God and focus on taking one step at time. I started Filip + Inna with very limited funds. There were a lot of insurmountable instances with financial limitations but God provided a way. For me to get into Indagare, my first retail store in the US, six months after I launched Filip + Inna was a miracle in itself.
There was no need to know where I was going. All I had to focus on was taking the next step and God will make care of the rest.
5. What would you say to someone who’s just starting out in their business?
Start small and appreciate every little victory. Always be grateful! Out of gratefulness will flow kindness.
If fear is keeping you back from even starting, here’s a verse that gives me courage: God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
Thank you for sharing, Len. I will be featuring another entrepreneur for The Courage Series every Monday.
