Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Vanessa Kahlon, founder of KFS School, located in San Fransisco, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Kahlon Family Services (KFS), which provides behavior consultations, social skills groups, support professionals in schools, and parenting groups for families with children with learning and behavioral challenges and needs. Additionally, we have KFS School, a K-8 nonprofit organization that serves children and families in the San Francisco Bay Area community.
Our mission is to bring the highest quality education to all children who are bright and have been characterized as Twice Exceptional (2E). We also have YEAS Yoga, which welcomes parents, yoga instructors, teachers, and other professionals working with children who have autism and other related disorders. The Children's Yoga Teacher Training Collaborative (CYTTC) approves YEAS Yoga, and it is a 95-hour Yoga Alliance-approved Children's Yoga Teacher Training School. Our customers are families with children with learning and behavioral challenges and needs, as well as yoga instructors, teachers, and other professionals who work with children who have autism and other related special needs.
Tell us about yourself
As a family interventionist with almost two decades of experience working with families whose children have special needs, I have always been passionate about helping families and children navigate the challenges they face. That passion led me to start my own business, Kahlon Family Services (KFS), in 2008 to provide personalized, relationship-based services to families with children with learning and behavioral challenges and needs.
Over time, as I directed and supervised various in-home behavioral programs around California and facilitated social skills groups, I saw a need for a yoga curriculum that could help address children's needs and aid professionals in the field. That led me to create YEAS Yoga (Yoga Education for Autism Spectrum), an exciting, personalized program that addresses the self-regulation needs of high-spirited children.
What motivates me each day is the knowledge that I am making a positive difference in the lives of families and children who face significant challenges. I am inspired by the resilience and strength of the families I work with, and I am passionate about helping them achieve their goals and live happy, fulfilling lives. Every child has unique strengths and talents, and I am committed to helping them reach their full potential. With my parenting podcast, "Parenting With Vanessa Kahlon," and my two books, "Shut Up & Parent" and "How To Do Parenting With Confidence," I'm giving tips and strategies for families when behaviors start to escalate in the home.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a business owner, I am proud of the fact that I have been able to help so many families and children over the years through my work at Kahlon Family Services (KFS) and KFS School. However, if I had to pick one accomplishment that stands out the most, it would be the creation of the YEAS Yoga program.
YEAS Yoga is a program that I developed to address the self-regulation needs of high-spirited children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other related disorders. This program has been incredibly successful in helping children with ASD develop better self-regulation skills and improve their overall well-being. It has also been used to train parents, yoga instructors, and other professionals who work with children with special needs.
The fact that YEAS Yoga has been so successful and has helped so many children and families is a testament to the hard work and dedication that I have put into developing and refining this program over the years. It is truly an accomplishment that I am proud of and one that has brought me a great deal of joy and satisfaction as a business owner.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is the constant need to balance multiple responsibilities and wear many different hats. As a business owner, I am responsible for overseeing all aspects of my business, including managing finances, marketing my services, hiring and training staff, and providing high-quality services to my clients.
This requires a great deal of time, energy, and effort and can often feel overwhelming. It can be difficult to know where to focus my attention on any given day, and I often find myself pulled in many different directions.
Additionally, as a business owner, I am also responsible for dealing with any challenges or obstacles that arise, such as changes in regulations or unexpected financial setbacks. This requires a great deal of flexibility and adaptability, as well as the ability to stay calm and focused under pressure.
Despite these challenges, however, being a business owner is also incredibly rewarding. It allows me to make a positive impact on the lives of others and to pursue my passion for helping children and families in need.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a clear vision - Before you start or expand your business, it's important to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. This includes defining your goals, identifying your target market, and developing a strategy for achieving success.
- Build a strong team - No business can succeed without a strong team behind it. This includes hiring talented and dedicated employees, as well as developing partnerships with other businesses and professionals who can help support your growth.
- Focus on customer service - Providing excellent customer service is essential for building a loyal customer base and growing your business. This means listening to your customers, addressing their needs and concerns, and always striving to exceed their expectations.
- Embrace innovation - To stay competitive in today's fast-paced business world, it's important to embrace innovation and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. This means constantly exploring new ideas, testing new strategies, and being willing to take calculated risks.
- Stay persistent - Building a successful business takes time, effort, and persistence. There will inevitably be setbacks and challenges along the way, but it's important to stay focused on your goals and keep moving forward. With hard work and dedication, you can achieve your dreams and create a thriving business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.vanessakahlon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParentingwithVanessaKahlon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parenting_with_vanessa_kahlon/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kahlonfamilyser
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-kahlon-ma-73565416/
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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