Get to Know Kim Grisham of KT Naturals
October 2, 2009
Kim Grisham is the owner of KT Naturals, an all-natural mineral makeup company. Her products have been receiving rave reviews from many who have tried them. Kim took on the company from its creator and has built up a reputation as a great business owner with a quality product. Her enthusiasm and warmth are combined with a great product will carry her far. We are proud to introduce you to her and are excited to continue to see her grow!
Hometown: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Current Residence: Salt Lake City, Utah
Education: Associate’s degree in Business Graphics.
Professional Background: I was in school for most of my life before becoming a stay-at-home mom and entrepreneur. I went to a community college for graphic design, and online school for medical transcription. I also worked in a classroom with severe mentally and physically disabled children, which I loved.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: A wife, mommy, nurse, teacher, web designer, and entrepreneur.
What you are: A wife, mommy, and entrepreneur.
Brief Summary of your Start Up: I have spent a lot of time with various projects and ideas that would bring in extra income while allowing me to stay home with my child. A few months ago, I came across a woman who had started a business but did not have time to continue with it. I loved her passion for all natural makeup products and the direction she was headed with her business. I was really amazed when I learned that it was possible to create, mix, and sell mineral makeup from your own home! I was blessed to be chosen to own and manage KT Naturals.
Company Website? www.ktnaturals.com
What inspired you? My son. I have always dreamed of being a stay-at-home mom. When we needed extra income, KT Naturals dropped in my lap. I believe there is a reason for everything!
How long have you been in business? KT Naturals was created by Katie McCartney of Maumee, Ohio in 2007. I have been blessed to own the business since June of 2009.
How did you fund it? Purely with sales of the products!
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I consider Kelly King Anderson and all those involved with StartupPrincess.com great inspirations and mentors, though I have not received any one-on-one guidance.
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Twitter, Facebook, CreatedByMom.com, among others.
Current Business Challenge? Balancing time among business, family, and housework.
What are you doing about it? Less housework and spending time with family! Business time just falls into place. Who needs a clean house, anyway?!
Favorite motivational quote: “Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action.”
Family? I have been married to my best friend, Hank, for 2 years this October 11th. We have one boy, Eli, who just turned 1!
If so, how do you balance family and business? Nap time for baby is essential to keep up with my business! My husband is very supportive and helps whenever and however he can.
Favorite book? October Sky, a very inspirational story. I love reading memoirs!
What do you do to relax? Spend time with family, watch movies, web design.
What do you want to change most about your world? I want to push for greater acceptance of organic and natural products and remedies. There are too many harsh chemicals and ingredients in things we use and consume. Natural is better for us and our world!
What are you most proud of? First, my son. Second, I am proud to help support my family while watching my son grow and learn each day. I never wanted to miss out on those special moments, and now I don’t have to!
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? If you want something, go for it! Never give up! And always, always allow time for yourself! You deserve it!
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? StartupPrincess.com. I am so glad that I came across Startup Princess. I don’t feel alone anymore! It has led me to bigger and better things for my business. I have loved connecting with women I met through Startup Princess.
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Diamonds! Not only is it my birthstone, but they are “a girl’s best friend” after all!
Use 15 Minutes Every Day to Grow Your Business
February 3, 2009
Fairy Godmother Erika Wilde of highly successful drop-shipping floormat business (featured in Real Simple last year!) Stop Dirt, writes: As a kind-of early New Years resolution to myself, I started last fall to dedicate 15 minutes a day to “pro-active” work on my business.
I spend hours every day taking care of the business “must do’s” that are time sensitive. With the demands of kids, church and the lure of my other hobbies, I found myself working only “in the business” and not working “on the business.” I was not spending enough time proactively growing my business.
So I committed myself to 15 minutes a day, dedicated solely to proactive work on my business. Not re-active work like answering emails, processing orders, or making price quotes. But proactive work on new projects that will expanding my existing business.
Many days my 15 minutes turn into an hour. But other days, when my patience and energy is thin, I tell myself, “It’s only 15 minutes.”
Here’s how I’ve made it work:
1. Throw every plan, task, dream or scheme into a master list. And I mean everything. If an idea pops into your mind, add it to the list.
2. Break each item on the master list into manageable 15 minutes jobs.
3. Each day, pull up your list and choose a project.
4. Let a larger task remain unfinished. There is always 15 minutes tomorrow.
5. Don’t go to sleep until the 15 minutes are done.
Here is an example pro-active tasks I’ve done on 15 minutes a day:
1. Research one competitor’s web site and product line.
2. Make one extra phone call.
3. Look at the day’s web analytics and compare to the previous week.
4. Write one more “FAQ” or short article for my website.
5. Update or “freshen up” one page on my website.
6. Edit one photograph to make it work better online.
7. Email one supplier with a quick thank you note.
8. Solicit a couple of repeat customers for product reviews.
9. Search online for one related product to add to my line.
10. Start work on a press release.
11. Add internal web links on keywords in one article.
Then there are the really big items on my to-do list like, “Make new color chart for Classic Carpet mats” and “Re-build Grand Impressions logo mat page,” which will take at least an hour. So I tackle that project on a night when I have more than 15 minutes to devote.
It’s been amazing what a big dent I’ve made in my very, very long to-do list with only 15 minutes a day. With just 15 minutes a day, I find myself being more inventive, more motivated and more receptive to flashes of business inspiration.
