Company-building, Meditation and Creating 1 Million Jobs with Kalika Yap

Kalika Yap, founder of Orange & Bergamot, talks about how she juggles four businesses and two kids, why meditation will make you move faster, and her vision for changing the world. 

W2: What inspired you to start your company?

I want to change the world for the better. I believe in the economic empowerment of women, and that when you help a women entrepreneur succeed, she can also change the world.

W2: What problem are you most passionate about solving right now?

The approach to branding and marketing services for small businesses is broken and I want to democratize it. Orange & Bergamot is a subscription based, technology enabled service that will bring ongoing agency quality branding and marketing to the small business owner at a tenth of the price and speed.

W2: Tell us about a few moments from your typical day.

I start every morning with meditation. After practicing transcendental meditation for 20 minutes, then I get ready for work and take the kids to school. My assistant Nani texts me my schedule the night before. She also reads my emails and flags which are the most important ones to respond to daily.

I start my daily huddles for my other businesses starting at 8:30 am. I am usually in meetings (Zoom, phone or in person) most of the day. The majority of my day encompasses my work with my startup Orange & Bergamot or Citrus (my brand agency).  

I am also transitioning into a new role as the incoming president of the LA Chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), so I have been more active with those duties as well. 

I meditate again for another 20 minutes anywhere between 5 pm and when I go to bed.

I answer emails towards the end of the day and go home around 7 pm. I put the kids to bed. I usually go to bed by 8:45 pm – 9:15 pm.

W2: What’s the best productivity hack you’ve found?

Meditation is a keystone habit that leads to better habits. Funny how it works – When you slow down, you actually become faster. When you meditate, clarity and intuition is sharpened and you can confidently rely on your gut instinct (which leads to fewer errors). Meditation also lessens stress and brings an enormous amount of energy and presence to your day. Meditating twice each day is the best productivity hack I know.

W2: What are you reading or listening to right now?

I just finished the Untethered Soul and Intuitive Being. Both excellent books. 

A few of my favorite books I have read in the last few months include: Don’t Split the Difference by Chris Voss, Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, and Power Cues. I’m an avid reader and generally read several books (4-5) per month.

W2: What’s next for you and your company and where do you need support?

My BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) is: 1 million *branded* small business websites, 1 million small businesses succeeding, and 1 million jobs created. 

I bootstrapped all my current companies (all active and thriving) Citrus Studios, Luxe Link, and The Waxing Co.  – with Orange & Bergamot I am fundraising for the first time. I would love support in this area! 

I would also love to get introductions to phenomenal women entrepreneurs so I can interview them for the EO Wonder podcast. The interviews in person are much better than the ones done remotely, so if you know anyone coming into the LA area, I would love an introduction. I also travel quite a bit and am willing to meet with women entrepreneurs in the cities that I fly to. I am headed to Austin, Atlanta and Frankfurt in April. 

Kalika Joy Nacion Yap is an American entrepreneur and inventor. She is known for inventing the Luxe Link, a fashion accessory that hangs women’s purses to keep them off the floor. Yap is the founder and CEO of an interactive design and consulting agency called Citrus Studios, based in Santa Monica, California, and The Waxing Company, a waxing salon in Honolulu.