Kalika Yap
By Kalika Yap, founder of Citrus Studios, Luxe Link, The Waxing Co & Orange & Bergamot

In short

  • “Showing up” is a core life practice that can seriously change your day-to-day.
  • Showing up boosts your personal relationships and shows colleagues that you TRULY mean business.
  • As a business owner, show up often at events beyond your comfort zone.

I’m a big believer in showing up. It’s the universal lesson of life.

Every time you decide to show up, you make a statement — a simple yet powerful statement — about who you are.

As an entrepreneur, it’s so easy to get caught up with your daily routine, work, family, friends, emails. We’re pulled in so many directions. The very act of showing up and deciding that your presence makes a difference is the first key to leadership.

It tells everyone that you’re in the arena. That you’re not satisfied to stay on the sidelines. That you’re ready to take life head-on.

Whether it’s an interview, a meeting or a dinner with friends, I try to show up in both body and spirit wherever I go.

Eighty percent of life is showing up. Twenty percent of life is how you show up. So,

  • Show up with curiosity.
  • Show up with heart.
  • Show up with passion.
  • Show up with humility.

The first year in my business, I’d go to a ton of mixers (often alone) because I didn’t know anyone else who was an “entrepreneur.” I’d show up not only for industry-related events, but to birthday parties, baby showers, engagement parties, mixers, meet-ups (before they were called “meet-ups”), happy hours and dinners. In L.A., lots of people would commit, but not many would follow through.

I proved that I was different, just by showing up when I said I would.

My friends, family and colleagues know they can depend on me. And by attending events with loyalty, I’ve met many new friends too.

You can change the world by sharing your gifts, sharing your light. When you show up like that — with your light and with your gifts — you can change the world. Your presence here matters.

Your presence here makes a difference.

Kalika Yap is the founder of four companies: Citrus Studios, her first digital marketing agency; Luxe Link, the original purse hook; The Waxing Co, Honolulu’s first luxury waxing salon; and Orange & Bergamot, a branding agency & community for female founders. Connect with her on LinkedIn to keep up with her growth story.