Carla Barber, the Businesswoman with $12 Million in Revenue Who’s Taking a Stand Against Sick Leave: “Some People Go on Leave and Still Post to Instagram”
In Spain, two things always get people talking: money and sick leave. Put them together in the same sentence, and you’ve got the perfect recipe to get half the country riled up. The latest to do just that is Carla Barber, the cosmetic surgeon who swapped her white coat for an entrepreneur’s notebook. Now, at the helm of her empire Carla Secrets, she’s not one to mince 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 in this country. “Some people go on sick leave and are still posting stories on Instagram.” The comment, made during an interview, struck a nerve. It’s not the first time someone has called out this kind of behavior, but coming from someone who creates jobs and is pulling in the kind of numbers she is, the issue takes on a whole new dimension. In a country where productivity is practically a mantra, Barber is calling out the fakers who, in her experience, take advantage of the system while living out their influencer lives on social media.
Numbers That Speak Louder Than Words
What’s interesting about this case isn’t just the controversy, but the machine behind it. Because if Carla Barber speaks with that kind of authority, it’s because her company, Carla Secrets, has gone from being a personal project to a true powerhouse in the aesthetics sector. And that’s no exaggeration. The figures from the last fiscal year are staggering: the firm closed with revenue approaching $12 million. That’s an impressive feat given the current economic climate.
But what’s really juicy—what makes investors rub their hands together and competitors nervous—is the gross operating profit, the famous EBITDA. We’re talking about a figure close to $3.7 million. In terms of margins, this puts Carla Secrets in an enviable position, proving that Barber’s business model—combining high-end surgery with cutting-edge treatments and a flawless digital marketing strategy—is a true value-generating machine.
Condemnation or Strategy?
This is where the analysis gets interesting. Barber’s criticism of sick leave wasn’t just some casual bar chat. She’s well aware that her image is tied to that of a businesswoman who leaves no room for slacking off. Her argument is simple and brutally direct:
- Profitability vs. Absenteeism: Barber argues that in her company, people work, and the success behind the $12 million in revenue is built on a team’s responsibility that doesn’t make excuses.
- The Cost of Opportunity: Her implicit criticism is that while some treat sick leave like a paid vacation, freelancers and small businesses (like hers, though it’s not so small anymore) are the ones pulling the weight 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 enjoying a luxury while posting to their socials is the image she wants to cement in the public’s mind.
Is this just a business owner venting, or a marketing move to position herself as the tough leader who won’t be fooled? The reality is that, controversy aside, Carla Barber’s name is on everyone’s lips again, and by extension, so is her clinic. While other CEOs hide behind tepid statements, she puts herself out there and generates hundreds of headlines. And in the aesthetics and luxury business, visibility is everything.
The truth is that the former contestant on the Spanish reality show 'Survivor' has proven her talent goes far beyond being in front of a camera. She’s built an empire in a competitive industry, with numbers that solidify her as one of the most powerful up-and-coming businesswomen in the country. Whether people like her views on sick leave or not is another matter. But as long as her company continues to generate revenue at a steady pace, she’ll keep holding the cards to say exactly what she thinks.