Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kaila Sachse, Account Manager of Yumari Digital, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Yumari Digital helps businesses polish their visuals and marketing with rebranding, websites, email marketing, digital ads, and social media.
Tell us about yourself
I started as an in-house graphic designer for various companies in 2011 and decided to help even more companies via freelance work in 2016. After six years of successfully helping business after business with steady growth, I realized that I needed a team, so I started Yumari Digital.
The word "yumari" is a Tagalog word meaning "to build." At Yumari Digital, we pride ourselves on building strong online presences for all who we get to work with, from 1:1 servicers to bigger teams across various industries, including fashion, food and beverage, real estate, home goods, entertainment, and more.
Because projects are constantly in motion, I get to wake up every day with excitement for what's new to come. I also really enjoy getting to learn about other industries!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been overcoming my initial fears of leaving my full-time job. (Would I be able to support myself? How was I going to gain new clientele? What if I failed?) As a recovering perfectionist, that initial hump of getting started was HUGE because I wanted to have all my ducks in a row. Now, I can look back at the long list of clients who I've had the pleasure of serving and realize that I would never have been fully ready for that next chapter. I'm proud to have taken action and maintained faith that everything would be okay!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Sticking through the slow seasons has always made me queasy because it really challenges my mind. While I love the novel ebbs and flows of business, I do still crave a baseline of stability. I find my thoughts going to a place of scarcity when I don't have as many projects in the pipeline as I'd like, so it's an important practice for me to stay calm and optimistic.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Save at least 6-12 months' worth of living expenses if you decide to cut ties with your regular income. You want to make sure you have the money you need to survive so that your brain is free to focus on your business.
- Always keep your word. I just had a client return back to me after a few years of trying out other contractors. He told me that the reason he came back is because he knows I do what I say and say what I do. My emphasis on reliability also runs deep for the goals I set for myself and how I handle my team. Keeping your word is the quickest way to build trust.
- Have an open mind. What I pictured self-employment looking like when I first started is very, very different from how it is now. The core reason I've been able to expand my business is that I've taken on clients and projects that were different from what I was used to.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.yumari.digital/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yumari.digital
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yumari.digital/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yumaridigital/
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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