In this episode of The Business Narrative Podcast, we spoke with Claristelle Labrador, an inspiring entrepreneur who went from launching a 3-person company to leading a 58-employee enterprise, now rebranded as The Atlas Collective. Her journey is packed with lessons on leadership, AI integration, branding, team building, and thriving in uncertain times.

From Family Influence to Entrepreneurial Drive

Claristelle credits her entrepreneurial spirit to her parents, especially her mother, who built an international recruitment agency. Growing up around business conversations, she became passionate about marketing and business development. That passion led her to study Business Management with Marketing in Brighton, UK, and later specialize in leadership and entrepreneurship. Her early career was shaped by hands-on learning and mentorship at a Brighton-based agency, which empowered her to eventually start her own company.

Building a Business from the Ground Up

Claristelle launched her first company at the age of 21. One of her biggest early challenges was being underestimated due to her age and lack of experience especially in a male-dominated sales field. She faced self-doubt, uncertain decisions, and skepticism from older hires. But with mentorship and resilience, she proved her capability, steadily growing the business and learning leadership through experience.

Navigating the Pandemic: Adaptation and Growth

The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant threat to her face-to-face marketing business. With face-to-face interactions banned, Claristelle and her team chose to pivot. Instead of waiting, they hosted daily workshops and training sessions to upskill themselves. This proactive approach paid off: they emerged stronger and went on to win six industry awards within a year.

“We chose to develop when most people paused. That made all the difference.”

Leadership Lessons: Hiring and Culture

Claristelle’s leadership style has evolved significantly. She now prioritizes values alignment and work ethic over resumes. In hiring, she looks for reliability, time management, and a drive to grow traits that often outweigh experience.

Her use of AI in hiring such as email filtering, interview scoring, and FAQ automation shows how combining human judgment with technology creates a more efficient recruitment system.

“Experience can be taught values and drive cannot.”

Marketing That Works in 2025: Direct, Indirect & AI

Claristelle champions a marketing model that combines indirect marketing (Social Media, PR, ads) with direct, face-to-face marketing, which she believes is resurging in value due to oversaturation in the digital space.

She also emphasizes using AI to streamline marketing and recruitment workflows, freeing up time for deeper human connections with customers and teams.

The Power of Personal Branding

Personal branding isn’t just a buzzword it’s a strategy. Claristelle highlights how building her LinkedIn and public presence has helped attract not only clients but also high-quality job applicants. She believes that people want to know who they’re working for and with.

“Opportunities find you when your brand speaks for itself.”

What Businesses Will Thrive in the Next 10 Years?

Claristelle believes future-proof businesses are those led by people with three essential skills:

1. Sales & Marketing – Driving revenue and connecting with customers.
2. Leadership – Coaching and inspiring teams.
3. Management – Delegating, building departments, and scaling operations.

She encourages entrepreneurs to be multi-skilled and adaptable, especially in early stages when one has to wear many hats from receptionist to strategist.

Embracing Gen Z in the Workplace

Claristelle enjoys working with Gen Z for their openness to change, innovation, and collaboration. She believes that generational diversity adds tremendous value to business operations provided leaders are willing to adapt.

Winning with Mindset: The Story Behind the Awards

Claristelle shared that the key to her company’s explosive growth and multiple awards was mindset. During lockdown, instead of stagnating, her team chose to learn, grow, and stay ready. When the economy reopened, they hit the ground running and never looked back. They’re now on track to open 10 new offices in the next 12 months.

Final Words of Advice

Claristelle’s message to entrepreneurs: get a mentor, stay curious, and invest in self-development. Whether you’re just starting or hitting a plateau, learning from those ahead of you can shortcut years of trial and error.

“Don’t try to figure it all out alone. Success leaves clues follow the people who’ve done it.”

Conclusion

Claristelle Labrador’s story is one of vision, grit, and adaptability. Her rise from a small startup founder to the CEO of a rapidly growing company is a reminder that leadership, team values, and smart tech integration can scale businesses far beyond expectations.

Stay tuned to The Business Narrative Podcast for more game-changing conversations and entrepreneurial stories!