Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kyra Mitchell Lewis, founder of Glow Up, Gyrl, located in Atlanta, GA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Glow Up, Gyrl is my business, and our focus is motivating, celebrating, and elevating women. My audience comprises women professionals and entrepreneurs looking to evolve into the best version of themselves. I use my podcast platform as the vehicle to share the stories of women professionals and entrepreneurs to celebrate their journeys and provide practical tips to our listeners that will help them in their daily lives, careers, or businesses. We offer free tools and resources for business and career growth, various platforms for women to share their stories, and the recently launched, Glow Up, Gyrl Podcast Network that is a place to amplify women storytellers and their podcasts. I also offer content strategy consulting for women-owned businesses to help them identify, craft, and tell their unique business stories.

Tell us about yourself

I am a marketing strategist, dreamer, storyteller, and entrepreneur who is fueled by helping women celebrate their unique talents and skills. I created Glow Up, Gyrl, to be a place for women to discover their ultimate GLOW UP! Whether listening to my amazing podcast guests, learning from GUG resources and events, or letting me help them find, create and tell their unique business stories, I am here to be a cheerleader motivator and provide a safe space for women to share their biggest dreams, crush fears and evolve into the best version of themselves.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is launching my business at the start of the pandemic, starting a podcast and last year creating and hosting our first virtual summit, all while working a demanding corporate job.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

For me, the hardest part of being a business owner is managing my expectation. As a dreamer, there are good and bad parts to it. When I dream, I dream big, which can sometimes lead to an epic letdown when things don't turn out the way you expect. What I've learned is to dream big but to manage the outcomes associated with my dreaming. What I may see as a letdown could still be a win. It's about not putting so much pressure on myself for everything to be perfect, just allowing things to flow naturally and believing that what is meant for me and my business will be.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Invest in yourself - it's important to continue to evolve as people and entrepreneurs. I recommend investing in a business coach, business webinars, reading books, etc.
  2. Be flexible - Life comes at you fast, and it's no different when you're running a business. Things change all the time, and it's so important to remain agile and be able to pivot quickly.
  3. Connect to Community - one thing that has really helped me is connecting to other people who own businesses or have already reached a level of success that I'm striving for. Find people you can share and learn from.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I'd say stepping out into entrepreneurship isn't for everyone. There are many highs and lows. Before you start a business:

  • Have a business plan and strategy.
  • Take an inventory of the marketplace and how your service/product is really filling a gap or need.
  • Lastly, have fun.

This should be the thing that you really love doing, so remember your WHY in the midst of the ups and downs.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.glowupgyrl.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Glowupgyrlatl/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glowupgyrl/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/glow-up-gyrl/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.