Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kenika Williams, Founder and Owner of Tidied by K, located in Marietta, GA, USA.

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

Tidied by K is in the home services industry. We offer professional home organizing services to clients struggling to create order in their homes. In action, that looks like partnering with each client, teaching them how to purge everything in their space they don't love, use, want, or need. From there, we marry both function and form to create beautifully crafted and intuitive systems anyone utilizing the space can manage long-term.

For perspective, our clients are typically overwhelmed at home by the time they reach out for support. We're talking months and years of disorganization and lack of function and ease at home. Our goal as experts in the space is to physically transform their space in a matter of days and leave them with the tools they need to feel confident they can maintain it without us. Our services are equally tied to both physical and mindset transformations.

Tell us about yourself

I launched Tidied by K, TBK in 2019 after watching the Netflix show, Tidying Up With Marie Kondo. I've always been organized, even as a kid. So, when the show aired, my mom FaceTimed me to show me how people were decluttering on TV and getting organized. That was the start of it all. I watched the episode on a Friday and registered TBK for an LLC by Monday.

That's how TBK came to be, but to backtrack just a smidge, prior to launching TBK, I was actively looking for different ways to turn my skills into a side hustle. I have a background in data and thought about launching a data consulting firm but from there jumped to the idea of personal training. It wasn't until I caught wind of the show that I knew organizing would be my side hustle.

My first project was a school I volunteered with; it was my first $1,000 check. I was extremely proud to have earned money organizing- something I would have gladly done for free. The idea of getting paid to do something I loved and making a business of it was insane to me! That was the start of it all. I went full fledge into offering the service, initially as a side hustle, until I was able to do it full-time ten months later.

Despite entrepreneurship being one of the most challenging careers I've embarked on (I don't know if anything is harder than teaching 27 first graders!), I'm extremely grateful for the work I've done and continue to do. My business has given me the opportunity to connect with thousands online and impact hundreds of lives in my community. In 4 years (almost), I have been able to serve well over 200 in-person clients, and knowing I'm transforming lives is what motivated me to keep doing this work.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

There are a few key areas that stand out as my biggest accomplishments:

  1. Recognition: I didn't start my business with the intent of being highly recognized, but to have built a successful business that has been recognized by both customers and industry experts is amazing. I rave about having almost 50 5-star Google reviews. I believe it's a testament to the quality of service and experiences our clients receive. And beyond the customers, to know we have also received recognition as industry experts that drive our peers into action is amazing. For example, being selected as 1 of 20 brand ambassadors for The Container Store highlights the value others see we bring to the table.
  2. Helping others: One of the things that makes me most proud of my business is the positive impact it has on others. Whether it's through the services we offer or the charitable initiatives we support, I am proud to know that we are making a difference in people's lives.
  3. Leaving a legacy: As a small Black business owner, I am also proud of the legacy I am building for future generations. This industry doesn't show many faces that look like mine, so I am dedicated to building a business that is sustainable, ethical, and responsible, and I hope to leave a positive impact on the world long after I am gone.

Overall, I am proud of the many accomplishments and successes my business has achieved to date, and I am excited for what the future holds. I am confident that with the support of a grant, we will be able to achieve even greater things and continue to make a positive impact on our community and beyond.

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

I think the hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is addressing your mindset. Negative or counterproductive self-talk can hinder you from making progress and reaching your goals. If it's not checked at the onset, it can derail you from serving the people you want to serve and making the impact you're supposed to make with your business.

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

  1. Stay the course: Entrepreneurship is challenging (and rewarding!), and sometimes it feels like the challenges are big enough for you to quit. I think this is probably the most important tip you can implement in your business. Pursue your goals regardless of how challenging things are in the moment.
  2. Keep your business simple: Simplicity will always win. Don't work to overcomplicate your business. Simple systems, processes, and communication will yield far greater results.
  3. Be consistent: Consistency is key to anything, especially when running a business. Clients and prospective clients expect, at a minimum, to see consistency from you. And as the owner of your business, you have to be consistent in your efforts to grow, learn, and execute to accomplish business goals that impact the bottom line.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://tidiedbyk.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tidiedbyk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidiedbyk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenika-williams-994686199/

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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