Samara Salas
Hello, I’m Samara Salas, CEO at Common Sense People.
I’ve been a female founder since 12 years ago, when I started a digital marketing business that I transformed in a customer experience agency. At the same time, I worked at PayPal, followed by Clip (one of the first fintech in Mexico). After Clip, I founded Common Sense People and stayed full-time because I realized that there were no digital product agencies or tech female founders that promote STEM locally.
I’m a mother of 3 - Joanna who is 20, Elias is 18, and Braulio. I’m 40 and divorced. I don’t have awards but I have a lot of female founders that I have helped through mentorships and support.
Tell us all about your company. What services do you offer?
Common Sense People is a digital product agency focused on helping companies to transform their products and services into digital products and platforms. We like to solve complex products with real solutions centered on the final users and in operational excellence. We thrive by learning about each of our customers. We built our business by word of mouth and have worked with companies like FedEx, Bimbo, Cemex, as well as health startups, local banks, and family companies of any size and industry. We follow the problems to create solutions.
How did you get the idea or concept for your organization/company? What was your mission at the outset?
I always worked at technology companies even when I was not an engineer and I realized that to build great technology you need a good team, common sense, and product vision - that is why I started Common Sense People. Also, we opened a new market instead of competing with development or software agencies. We add value and have a difference when we offer product concept design and software development. We create our own methodologies to deliver value and what our customers need.
Company Name: Common Sense People
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Operating since: 2017
Website: www.commonsense.io
Instagram, Twitter: @commonsense.io, @commonsenseio
Tell us a bit about your co-founders at Common Sense.
My current co-founders are Madai and Abel, CPO and CTO respectively. Madai used to work for one of our customers and she quit to join Common Sense. Her vision and good humor make us work in a good vibe every day. Abel used to be one of the Common Sense developers and he decided to join as a partner and founder on 2019. [He’s an] introvert but has a deep and honest mind to build good solutions. This is the best team I have ever had - our daily work is based on honesty, challenge, and good humor.
Growing up, did you always intend to start your own company/organization?
Funny, I once remembered I played as a child to be a business owner of a small store. After that I never imagined that I could do this, not with 22 years, two kids, divorced, no university degree at that time. Then at 37, after another child and another divorce, and selling my CX consultancy, and having to build a new business from scratch, I knew I would have success with the right focus.
How have your past personal & professional experiences helped you to run your company?
I have learned from every company that I’ve been to, learned about legal, administration, accounting, technology, team building, recruiting, product design, customer experience. From every customer and person that I have talked to about business, in every chat and in every person, we can find pure wisdom and knowledge. I try to stay open and curious, that is how we improve at Common every day.
What is the biggest personal / professional obstacle you've had to overcome?
My own mind - the impostor syndrome. Even when the tech industry is mainly about men, I have succeeded in overcoming any situation. Sometimes I [believe] haven't noticed any discrimination because I am a woman, but in some cases, I just retire or change directions because I think I’m not enough. I have to work on this, but even now, it was hard to start applying here.
What's your definition of success?
For me, success used to be a big office and recognition as the best in my field. Today, after working in great companies and having my own, success means balance - between work and personal life, not losing yourself in the process, enjoying the good and the bad. Success is creating wisdom and passing it to the next generation to have a better future.
Have the women around you helped you to rise? How?
Yes, from the women of my family, to my cofounder Madai, my friends - they have been there to support me in every step. Sorority is part of my life and is my way to give back also.
What are some of your future plans? Are you working on anything else right now?
I want to create specialized insurance products for women and kids, for health and financial security.
What advice would you give to a woman starting out in your industry or starting her own company/organization?
Don't give up, don’t betray your dream because of impostor syndrome, learn every day, ask if you have questions, ask if you need help, show up to the big table, and in your bet - consider the risk and have fun.
Describe yourself in ONE word. Resilient
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today is..." to be a person that take the risk for a better future for humankind.