Karen Santos: What I have done is who I am now

Karen Santos has mastered the art of being a successful retailer in the fashion world. With a sense of humor to lighten the passion she has for her five boutiques, Karen leads more than 50 employees as they enter into an expansion mode.

Kashieca features clothes that are smart and simple. Karen, 5’5 1/2", blends her flair for designing the collection with understanding the quirks of manufacturing locally, working on budgets and feeling what quantities of a particular style are ideal.

Educated at St. Paul’s College, Manila, Karen went on to boarding school in England and Switzerland. The rebel in her influenced her decision to get her degree in UP after which she continued her studies in Florence. She pauses here to reflect on her inner strength and being emotional.

What did your dad often say to you?

When I was younger and going out with an older man, he would say, "Be careful. You are going out with a worldly man."

What do you look for in a man?

Brains. An interesting brain excites me. A worldly man.

How do you resolve your conflicts?

When the artist in me gets very emotional, I look at the accounting figures, and decide then.

What exercises do you do?

Yoga with friends, badminton at Polo Club and Steps in Pasong Tamo.

What film influenced your life?

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice reminds me of my childhood in the English countryside.

What is your greatest fear?

Being alone. My biggest gift, though, is enjoying my own company and that of my sister’s children.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My temper. When I get too emotional, I rant and rave, then catch myself a second later and am OK.

What is your motto?

Inner strength.

If you had the chance to change something in your life, what would that be?

There is a reason for everything in life and what I have done is who I am now.

What is your greatest extravagance?

It’s seasonal. At present, I am obsessed with having my paintings reframed.

What words or phrases do you overuse?

At the end of the day.

If you could be any historical character, who would you like to be?

I admire Margaret Thatcher very much.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My inner strength. Being able to discern what is right for me.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Inner peace. I have been able to balance my life between sense of achievement and my relationships.

What is your greatest regret?

In retrospect, I wish I had spent more time with my father, Oscar Santos.

Name an embarrassing moment at work.

When I was with an art consultant firm based in HK doing a presentation, I said, "...associating Shangri-La Edsa as a resort type of hotel..." Our client, Mr. Kuok, replied, "This is not a resort hotel."

What is your favorite occupation?

Being creative with a business sense.

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