Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kandice Cole, Founder of K. Cole Wellness, located in Richmond, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I design and facilitate wellness experiences to empower busy women, especially parents and caregivers, to practice self-care and prioritize their well-being. Experiences offer interactive and engaging ways for participants to reflect on wellness, creativity, and values. A lot of self-care doesn't actually help people feel better, so I create spaces for people to explore and be curious about what they need to feel good and be well.
Tell us about yourself
I am a busy mom, wife, and entrepreneur. In early 2020, I found myself struggling to balance parenting, business, and my personal life with the uncertainty of the pandemic looming. I re-committed to my self-care and creativity practices as a way to cope and feel better. When we all shifted to virtual, I noticed how much everyone around me was struggling to manage stress and deal with "zoom fatigue." I wondered how I could help others to find their own creative self-care practices to ease the overwhelm we were collectively feeling.
I decided to plan a virtual micro-retreat for 90 minutes on a Saturday morning. I had been on enough Zoom calls and webinars to know what didn't work. I wanted to reimagine how virtual spaces could feel more inviting and inspiring. I curated music, photos, quotes, and journal prompts around a theme related to self-care. I invited people in my network to join me for a free wellness event, and 12 women said yes! That Saturday in late May, women from Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles joined me for this inaugural event. I was so nervous because I had never done anything like this before. The retreat was beautiful and filled with laughter, aha moments, and connection.
I planned the next event and then another and have not stopped. Now I offer in-person and virtual workshops and also speak at events for companies and nonprofits. When people email or text me that they are being curious, having playful self-care, and taking care of themselves, that is a reminder to me to keep doing this work. That is what it is all about.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Writing and publishing my book The Joyful Woman's Guide to Self Care. I did that during a pandemic and with a newborn. I am incredibly proud of myself for doing that and of the work that I get to share with people everywhere.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing is finding time to work on your business. As a solopreneur, I am working in my business most of the time and have to really fight to carve out time to check on how my business is doing with goals and growth.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Realize there is no one right way to do business. Get curious and try different things that work for you.
- Celebrate daily. It is easy to get discouraged when you aren't hitting goals, so celebrate what is going well!
- Take action imperfectly. Keep taking steps, even if they aren't the most polished. Keeping momentum is key
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://kandicecole.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandicecole/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kandicecole/
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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