Agahan gives a presentation to schoolchildren.
Photo Courtesy of Barbie Agahan
It Girl is a Women in Business feature highlighting the NextGen of female entrepreneurs.
By Althea Engman
Barbie Jane Agahan
Owner and President
ALIM Corp.
Barbie Jane Agahan says she is a true believer that everyone should work hard to play hard, and she uses that belief system in her day-to-day work and professional life.
Agahan serves as owner and president of ALIM Corp. and her most recent endeavor is ItsBarbieJane.
What started as ALIM Development, a construction company in 2014 expanded into the wholesale and distribution business in 2017, with products ranging in biodegradable food ware, confectionary products, snacks, and more.
The biodegradable food ware has been successful, Agahan says. “While we do have some mom and pop stores who carry our EnviroSavers, our main clients are hotels and restaurants.”
Agahan says ALIM Corp. began selling Kinder eggs, a product that has a “surprise” or toy inside.
She says although she did not like buying the kinder eggs, her children would constantly ask for them, which got her to think how many more parents were in her situation.
She began thinking that there were other products that are difficult to get and not available in Guam’s market.
Agahan took a risk and purchased cases of Kinder eggs to distribute. She says, “I’m always tired of getting stuck on an idea that I want to pursue, so instead I took a risk knowing it might not work, but at least I would know I tried.”
On her way to work, she began stopping at different stores on her route and asking if the owners would like to purchase her products.
Her other endeavor, ItsBarbieJane, is a business consulting service whose mission is to empower individuals to achieve their full potential by providing high-quality interpersonal skills, business skills and professional training, as well as expert business consulting services for small businesses.
Through it, Agahan focuses on motivation, leadership, interpersonal skills, personal growth, change management, and customer service.
ItsBarbieJane started right after Aghahan left her previous job in 2023, because she knew becoming a business owner was what she wanted to do.
At her previous job as marketing and advertising officer with First Hawaiian Bank, although Agahan focused more on the marketing aspect of the company, she also handled training for the staff, and she says that’s an area where “I really wanted to be.
“When I was teaching and training the team, I felt like this was my real space, and I love that feeling.” Agahan says, “Businesses are always good at taking care of customers but are we really great at taking care of our people, both with skills and personal growth.”
ALIM Corp.’s biodegradable products are available in Guam.
Photo courtesy of ALIM Corp.
ItsBarbieJane offers consultation for marketing, and strategy, as well as training, whether it’s one-on-one or a team training session.
Currently, Agahan is the only employee of ItsBarbieJane.
Agahan was able to reach her short-term goal with ItsBarbieJane by securing clients for both consultation and training in her first year. Now, Agahan says her current goal is to “create free educational content on social media available for everyone.”
“I want clients to feel comfortable and build a relationship with me,” she says.
Like many women, having a full-time career while taking care of a family can be a difficult task. Agahan says that what continues to motivate her is, “I always think of the reasons why I did this. It’s because I want my kids to know that they can do whatever they want – as long as you have the drive.”
Agahan holds a 2010 bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Guam and a 2014 master’s of business administration from the Keller School of Management of DeVry University. Agahan has taught a course in customer service at Guam Community College and has participated in conferences and summits as a speaker and panelist and was featured in Guam Business Magazine’s 2016 “40 under Forty” list.
The best advice Agahan would give young women who are pursuing their college education, or are interested in starting their own business is to “just do it.” She says people often find it difficult to move forward. “But at the end of the day, if you’ve thought about it already, how long do you need before you execute it? A thought in your brain is nothing until you do it.”
Agahan says support is important. “Everything I do and everything that I am right now is because I have a strong backbone with endless and strong support from my kids, husband, parents, and overall family.”
Reach Agahan at Instagram @itsbarbiejane, or call (671) 977-0831.
