Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kimberly Lafleur, Founder of FOR HUEMANITY, located in Discovery Bay, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a founder of a hybrid agency/consultancy focusing on strategic brand development and product innovation in the beauty and wellness space. My customers are niche brands and founders in the early stages looking to get clarity in their brand and need help identifying the next steps on their product roadmap.
Tell us about yourself
I have worked in the beauty industry for over 10 years now, and I became frustrated with the lack of integrity in how brands were being developed and how products were losing their impact. There was a sea of sameness, and I felt like there was a better way to bring brands and products to market with more integrity and uniqueness. Understanding what works for a brand and having a strong value proposition is something I'm great at decoding and unearthing.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
To date, it would be taking the leap to go out on my own. It was hard to leave the comfort and security of the corporate world, but it was harder to build brands and products that I didn't believe in. I couldn't betray myself in that way, especially knowing that it could be done better.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
You really have to have a strong sense of self and trust your intuition, which gets tricky when you have an opportunity come to you that doesn't fully align with your values but pays the bills. Making those hard decisions, you really have to go back to your core and get clarity on why you started again and again—an unshakable belief in what you're doing and creating.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have your North star, and let that guide all your decisions. It's cliche, but when you have this clarity, everything else falls into place, and decisions are easier.
- Surround yourself with an empowering community and have a few mentors you can tap into- no one does anything alone, and it's amazing what collaboration and support will do for you. Sometimes that one conversation leads to a big break or connects you to your next client.
- Put yourself in different rooms and be part of different conversations- being exposed to different communities broadens your perspective and allows you to pull inspiration from other areas outside your niche.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://forhuemanity.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyjanelafleur/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kjlafleur/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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