Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Baraguz.
Hi Karen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I always say my story starts long before I became a mom or a wife. I was brought to Miami at a young age to help my grandmother after she fell down the stairs and needed surgery. What was meant to be temporary became permanent, and eventually I found myself completely alone in a new city. There were moments when I was hungry, moments when I was homeless, moments when I questioned if I would ever get out of the struggle. I studied at night, worked during the day, and put myself through both college and university. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life, but life placed genuinely good-hearted people in my path who helped guide me and became family.
Later on, I met the man who is now my husband, but even then my life was still nonstop. I continued studying online and on campus on weekends, and at night while working full-time as a construction consultant, traveling nearly 70% of the time. That lifestyle made everything even more difficult — mentally, emotionally, and physically. When COVID hit, the pressure and the reality of what the world was going through triggered anxiety and depression. To distract myself, I started posting TikTok videos purely for fun, just to get my mind off everything happening around us.
What I didn’t expect was how deeply people connected with my content and my personality. My platforms grew incredibly fast — eventually reaching 1.7 million followers on TikTok and over 830,000 on Instagram — all from being myself.
At the same time, my job was becoming increasingly dangerous. I worked in disaster zones after hurricanes, constantly exposed to mold, asbestos, and extreme conditions. Even with all the protective equipment, it was never enough. I saw too much and lived through too many hazardous situations, and I knew I needed a new path.
With my degree in BioPharmaceutical studies and a Dominican upbringing rooted in natural remedies, I decided to combine my education with my culture. I’ve been drinking tea since before I can remember, so creating something holistic, clean, and beneficial felt natural to me. I launched my first two blends — a daytime booster and a night cleanse — both 100% natural, made only from herbs, leaves, and spices that actually support the body.
Human Cell & Molecular Biology was one of my favorite subjects, so I designed the formulas to work with the body’s natural mechanisms: boosting metabolism during the day and supporting slow, steady cleansing and fat-burning at night. I then added matcha for its powerful antioxidants and its scientifically proven ability to increase beta-oxidation — the body’s natural fat-burning process — by 17%.
From there, I kept studying, researching, and creating. I developed additional blends for diabetes support, menstrual health, vitality, anxiety, immunity, and even brain support using adaptogens, mushroom extracts, amino acids, and vitamins. The brain blend is especially meaningful to me because mental health is often neglected, yet it impacts everything we do. Adaptogens help the body resist physical, chemical, and emotional stressors — something all of us need support with.
My story isn’t perfect, but it’s honest. I started with very little — mostly a desire to create a better life for myself and my daughter. Nothing about my journey was linear. There were moments of doubt, rebuilding, and learning to trust myself again. But every step pushed me closer to discovering my purpose.
I began by sharing my life online in the most organic way possible. No strategy, no big plan — just real moments, real struggles, and real growth. Little by little, people connected with that authenticity. Doors opened, opportunities came, and I learned how to turn my creativity and resilience into a business.
Today, I’m proud of how far I’ve come — not because everything has been easy, but because I refused to let challenges define me. My journey is a reminder that self-love, consistency, and faith can truly transform your life. I’m still evolving, still learning, and still grateful for every chapter that brought me here.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. I came to Miami alone, faced hunger and even homelessness while working and studying full-time to put myself through college and university. Later, I balanced a demanding job traveling 70% of the time, studying, and dealing with the anxiety and depression that hit during COVID. I also worked in dangerous disaster zones exposed to mold and asbestos. Every struggle taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of surrounding myself with good-hearted people — and ultimately pushed me to create a life and business I’m proud of.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the founder of a line of 100% natural herbal teas designed to support the body’s health and wellness in a holistic, science-backed way. I specialize in creating functional blends that target specific needs — from metabolism and weight management to brain support, immunity, stress relief, menstrual health, and more. What sets my brand apart is the combination of my BioPharmaceutical background with my Dominican heritage, which allows me to create teas that are both effective and rooted in traditional, natural remedies.
I’m most proud of building a business that genuinely helps people feel better, using only herbs, spices, and leaves with proven benefits — nothing artificial. Beyond the products, I’m proud of the community I’ve built online, where authenticity and transparency are valued just as much as results. I think what really sets me apart is my commitment to combining science, culture, and personal experience into something that not only works but feels personal and approachable.
What does success mean to you?
I define success as living a life that aligns with my values, purpose, and personal growth, not just financial achievement. For me, it’s about creating a positive impact, whether it’s helping others improve their health through my teas, inspiring people through my story, or building a life that allows me to care for my family. Success is also about resilience: being able to overcome challenges, stay true to yourself, and keep evolving while remaining grateful for every step of the journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.baraguz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenbaraguz/?hl=en
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_baraguz_family?lang=en
