Carla Barber: The Businesswoman with €11 Million in Revenue Who’s Taking a Stand Against Sick Leave Abuse: “Some People Go on Leave and Still Post Stories on Instagram”
There are two topics in Spain that are guaranteed to get people talking: money and sick leave. Combine them in the same sentence, and you have the perfect recipe for getting half the country riled up. The latest to do just that is Carla Barber, the cosmetic surgeon who traded her white coat for a business portfolio. Now, as the head of her Carla Secrets empire, she isn’t one to mince her words.
It all kicked off a few days ago when the CEO of this premium clinic weighed in on an issue that borders on the absurd here. “Some people go on sick leave and still find the time to post stories on Instagram.” That line, from a recent interview, struck a nerve. It’s not the first time someone has called out this kind of behaviour, but coming from someone who creates jobs and is turning over the kind of numbers she is, the issue takes on a different weight. In a country where productivity is almost a mantra, Barber is pointing a finger directly at those who milk the system while, from what she’s seen, living it up like influencers on social media.
Numbers That Speak Louder Than Words
What’s really interesting here isn’t just the controversy itself, but the business machine behind it. Because when Carla Barber speaks with that kind of authority, it’s because her company, Carla Secrets, has grown from a personal project into a true giant in the aesthetics industry. And that’s no exaggeration. The figures from the last fiscal year are staggering: the firm posted revenue of nearly €11 million. That’s a remarkable feat, considering the current economic climate.
But the real headline-grabber, the part that has investors rubbing their hands together and competitors feeling the heat, is the gross operating profit – the famous EBITDA. We’re talking a figure close to €3.4 million. In terms of margins, this puts Carla Secrets in an enviable position. It proves that Barber’s business model – which combines high-end surgery with cutting-edge treatments and a flawless digital marketing strategy – is a genuine value-generating machine.
A Genuine Complaint or a Strategic Move?
This is where the analysis gets interesting. Barber’s critique of sick leave abuse didn’t come up in some casual chat. She’s well aware that her image is tied to that of a business leader who doesn’t make room for slacking off. Her argument is straightforward and brutally direct:
- Profitability vs. Absenteeism: Barber argues that in her company, people work, and that the success of those €11 million in revenue is built on a team’s accountability, with no room for excuses.
- The Opportunity Cost: Her underlying criticism is that while some treat sick leave like a paid holiday, freelancers and small businesses (like hers, even if it's not so small anymore) are the ones doing the heavy lifting and propping up the economy.
- The Power of Social Media: The mention of Instagram stories is no accident. It’s the perfect hook. The contradiction of seeing someone “on leave” at a party or indulging in a treat while posting it all online is exactly the image she wants to plant in the public's mind.
Is this just a business owner venting, or a marketing play to position herself as the tough leader who can’t be fooled? The reality is, controversy or not, Carla Barber’s name is once again on everyone’s lips – and by extension, so is her clinic. While other CEOs hide behind tepid press releases, she puts herself out there and generates headlines by the dozen. And ultimately, in the luxury aesthetics business, visibility is everything.
The truth is, the former 'Survivor' contestant has proven that her talent extends far beyond being in front of the camera. She has built an empire in a competitive industry, with numbers that solidify her status as one of the most powerful up-and-coming business figures in the country. Whether you agree with her views on sick leave is another matter entirely. But as long as her company keeps posting numbers like a well-oiled machine, she’ll continue to hold all the cards – and the megaphone to speak her mind.