Episode 14: Turning ADD into a Superpower | Kendra Eaton | Entrepreneur & Community Leader

EntrepreneurshipBusinessMindset & Motivation

May 22

Kendra Eaton is unstoppable. In her twenties, she’s running two thriving businesses, managing a full-time corporate job, serving as HOA president, and still finding time to be a fun and happy 20-something. Her path hasn’t been without challenges—diagnosed with ADD as a kid, she’s turned what others saw as a limitation into one of her greatest assets. We talk about building companies with real teams and revenue, creating systems that make success possible, and why self-care and the right people around you matter just as much as hustle. Kendra’s story is a reminder that you can do anything you set your mind to, and that the things that make you different might just be the key to your success.

“Know that you can do anything you set your mind to. There are so many different things that you may have no idea about. Educate yourself and put your mind to it. Whatever you’re passionate about. It really can be anything you set your mind to.”

— Kendra Eaton

California
Dallas, T X
Goldendo odle
Hedge F und
Connec ticut
Sprink led With Pink
Dapp er Dog
Bac helorette Party
Girls Weekend
Miami, FL
Saint Patrick’s Day
Bandit
Tugboat
Renee Colvert
Can I Pet Your Dog Podcast
O prah’s Magazine
Pegasus School
Newport Beach , CA
Love Langu age
Acts of S ervi c e
Lulule mon
Etsy
Washington DC
Travis
Cleft Lip & Palate
Kara Duffy Coaching & Co nsulting
Wholes ale Sel ling
Me dical Miss ion
Vietn am
F inan c ial Ma nager
HOA B o ard
Bali
Age ncy Ro ot
CRM Platform
Agriculture Ag ents
E llen DeGene res
Patio S cene o f D all as
Google K eep
Micr osoft Onenote
AD D
M eal Prepping
Y oga
Meditati on
Mich elle Ob ama
Becoming by Michel le Obama
Ob esity
Apple Watch
La ndmark Worldwi de
Food Dese rt
Kindle
Public Library
Small Busines s Association
How I Built This Podcast
Radical Candor
Follow along using the Transcript
Chapters:
00:00 Meet Kendra Eaton
01:15 Growing up in California and moving to Texas
03:00 Early signs of entrepreneurship
05:10 Starting Sprinkled With Pink in 2017
07:20 Launching Dapper Dog in 2018
09:00 Balancing a corporate job with multiple businesses
11:30 Why self-care is critical for entrepreneurs
13:15 The role of community and support systems
15:00 Managing ADD as a strength
17:45 Building teams that thrive
20:10 Leading as HOA president
22:30 Lessons learned from running two companies
25:00 How to stay organized and productive
27:20 The mindset shift that changes everything
29:15 Advice for young entrepreneurs
31:30 What being a “Powerful Lady” means to Kendra
Knowing that you can do anything you set your mind to. There's so many different things that you may have no idea about and educating yourself and putting your mind to it. There's really no stopping you and there may be certain roadblocks. You can't let those get in your way. I think if you just make sure that those make you stronger and build you up as a person other than letting you down and giving up now, whatever it is you're passionate about, it really can be anything you set your mind to.
That's Kendra Eaton and this is The Powerful Ladies podcast.
Hey guys, I'm your host, Kara Duffy, and this is The Powerful Ladies Podcast where I invite my favorite humans, the awesome, the up to something, and the extraordinary to come and share their story. These are people that inspire me and remind me that everything is possible. I hope that you will be left, entertained, inspired, and moved to take action towards living your most powerful life.
Kendra Eaton is unstoppable. She's in her late twenties, has a high powered, full-time job, is a homeowner. She's the president of her HOA, and she's an entrepreneur with two businesses, not one, two. And we're not talking about hobby businesses. These are two companies with a staff and an office and generating serious income.
She's a total boss lady. As a kid, she was diagnosed with a DD, and today she's using that gift to her advantage. On this episode, we talk about how she does it all, what it's like to be so young and so hungry, what life is like when your partner is also an entrepreneur, and how she remembers to have fun and just be a 20 something once in a while.
All that coming up. But first, are you looking for a way that you can be part of the Powerful Ladies Ambassador program? Well, you are in luck. We're currently looking for women who wanna host our one day of giving events as part of our charity campaign that supports women for women.org. It's really simple to figure out how to host.
We send you a full host kit with all the details that you need and all the resources, and of course, we support you along the way. Powerful ladies, one day of giving events are an opportunity for you to have fun, connect with your community, and make a difference in the lives of women around the world.
These events do not need to be big. They should be like small, simple, easy things that you enjoy doing from your, the yoga class that you teach, to the dinner party that you love to have to even going to your local like paint and wine, uh, location and ask if they wanna co-host with you. You invite your friends, they provide the space.
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So, Kendra, welcome. Thank you for coming and being a guest on The Powerful Ladies Podcast. Thank you for having me. Let's start by you introducing yourself.
Sure. So I am California, born and raised. Um, went to school in Dallas though, and I've been here for about 10, 11 years. So, uh, Dallas is where I call home now.
Um, we have a little five month old golden Doodle, definitely a soul. Our hearts in the last couple months, um, and currently work two full-time jobs. So one for, um, in sales at a hedge fund outta Connecticut. My boss and I run the western region there. And then I also started a company called Sprinkled with Pink.
And you've created another company since then too, right?
Yeah, so Sig has grown into, um, dapper Dog as well. So, um, starting some sister brands and, um, different target markets.
What is sprinkled with pink?
So it is a, let's see, women's accessory line, I guess you could say. It's kind of, um, um, evolving. We started with weddings and bachelorettes, um, and kind of expanding into the girls' weekend.
Fun accessories. So anything from, um, personalized floppy beach hats to tote bags, glassware, you name it for a vacation or a fun weekend and we've got it. So, um, it's fun accessories. You can use the pool, beach, and your house. Um, and you also have the option to customize a lot of it too. So definitely a fun, um, thing to bring with you.
So, going to sprinkle with pink is where people who are going on a bachelorette weekend or planning a wedding or planning a girls weekend, they can go there and they can customize some different products and accessories to celebrate and bring with them, right? So they have like takeaways.
Absolutely, yes.
So we have a bunch of items that are, you know, already just on accessories, um, different tote bags and different cities that you're going to. I'm, I'm heading to Miami this weekend, so we have a bunch of swag we're bringing and, um, things for the boat. So definitely some pre-made things that, you know, if you have museum, some inspiration.
And then we also have anything custom too. Um, a lot of people like to just do it in completely custom order too, which is really exciting to see what they come up with. And we've even used some of that to add it to our product line. We love collaborating with our, um, customers.
And what is Dapper Dog?
So, dapper Dog is new.
Uh, we launched it I think two months ago. Um, actually launched. Prior to getting a dog, we decided we wanted, needed a dog model. I'm just kidding. Um, we've been wanting a dog for a long time, but just something fun. Um, you know, different baseball hats. A dog mama tire. Um, custom bandanas for all your dogs and fun holidays, you know, um, St.
Patrick's day's coming up. So different, um, fun, steam bandanas for them, or coffee mugs and anything you'd need to outfit your dog, mom or dad.
Everyone loves to brag about their dog, right? Like everyone has dog pride.
Yes, I, I keep finding myself matching the dog, which is so funny. I went to a dog park yesterday and I had a blue baseball dog mom had on, and Rainey had a blue checkered, um, bandana on him.
It caught myself at the dog park being like, oh my goodness, I one of those people. But it was really cute. Are
you, are you gonna be part of the, the modeling now as well? The two of you together in your matching outfits?
Uh, dog models are actually difficult. You think that they are just easy to snap a pick and, um, they are much more difficult than people.
So it's been quite the adventure to get some pictures, but we've actually had some brand reps coming up too, which is neat to involve our community. So on some different product every month and they get to rep it and, um, you know, have it on discount codes and fun way to bring in some new clients. So. Um, it's been fun collaborating them.
You have doggy
ambassadors? We do,
yeah. Part of our dog squad.
Yeah. Excellent. Well, I think we need to get Bandit enrolled in that. And I think Jordan's, uh, roommate's dog tugboat would be an excellent doggy ambassador as well. His mother. Oh,
I love that name.
Yeah, it's, it's so great. And his mother is a co-host on the Can I Pet Your Dog podcast?
So, oh, I don't know that one. What's that about?
Oh, it's great. They just talk about everything Awesome. About dogs. It was rated. Okay. I need that. It was rated one of Oprah's best podcasts to listen to from her magazine.
Okay. Definitely writing that down. Yeah. I'll always need a new podcast.
Exactly. So let's start at the beginning.
Um, let's talk about what it was like growing up in California. Like kind of give us the rundown of like zero to 18. What were you up to, what were you doing? Um, what were things that. Were indicators of the path that you would be on today?
Let's see. Um, it definitely did not, uh, fully grasp the amazing closeness of the beach.
Um, being in Dallas now, like, wow, I grew up in so close to the ocean. So definitely miss that aspect instead of taking more advantage of it. But, um, it was great. I mean, 72 year round and growing up with my family, um, both pretty much entrepreneurs. Our dad had his own car business for about 30 years. My mom is just the most amazing lady and, um, someone I really look up to.
So I think having them in my life and, um, always pushing me to be better. I think it's, you know, pushed my entrepreneurial spirit and always wanting to do something. Um, I would say that I'm always having something planned or doing something at one time. I don't like sitting still or, you know, I'm very bad at relaxing.
So, um, I think from a young age I was always trying to create different businesses. We had, I think I was five years old and we had a sea shell table store thing out on my cul-de-sac. And what is that? We would go pick, we, we would go pick seashells from the beach and then come wash them and sell them for a quarter out on the street.
And I don't know these por souls that came and bought our seashells, I think they just felt bad for us. But, uh, there was always some kind of business or, you know, my brother and I, they'd make him my assistant and we'd go around and, you know, have different massage parlor, like, make my family come in and get massage on this, you know, hard table plus family or like literally a six foot plastic table.
And we, you know. Give them a massage, whatever they wanted. Um, there were just so many different businesses. Um, it was really fun and I think them always supporting me has brought me to where I am today.
Do you remember having an experience as a kid that made you think that, oh yeah, I can have a business?
Or did it just start happening?
I think I went to this school called the Pegasus School and they were all about, you know, making sure your kids are independent. And I think that really helped shape a lot of us. So in the third grade, they had this third grade businesses. And now looking back, you know, what third grader would have their own business, but um, you know, kid was responsible.
It's cool, right? Like I want my kids to do that. Um, but each kid was responsible for, you know, thinking about what their own business was, creating it, and then actually hosting it for a few days. Um, and everyone would come in, you know, you'd have kind of fake money and buy, some people had like goldfish and I made something dorky.
Um, I pressed flowers and made bookmark. That's not dorky, that's very crafty and cool. Wasn't too wildly successful. I had to think about what people actually would buy. Um, the goldfish were a huge hit, but it was fun. I think that them shaping, you know, you, your parents weren't allowed to drop you off or walk you into school, and third grade was like the hitting point of you now are your own person and you get to, you know, take care of yourself.
So I think from a young age, I think that's really important.
And you grew up in Newport Beach, right? Yes. What was it like growing up in the oc because I, I believe you're in the same kind of age group as the people who made the OC famous with the MTV show.
Oh my gosh. Yeah. When we tried, when I remember that first came out, people were like, oh, do you know Marissa?
I'm like, she's a fictional character. I dunno. Her, um, I am jealous. And my brother got to grow up on the other side of the bay, so closer to, um, the water, but. I think it was neat. Um, I think you get to be around a lot of powerful people and so I think that you have this, you know, there's no limit to really what you can do.
Um, but I think you also see the different wealth that is there too. So I think it's kind of a, you know, getting that good balance of you really solid people around you. And I think we had a really strong community too, which is important.
Yes, I feel very lucky that I am both friends with you and your brother and your parents, and I'm always impressed at the people that your family has surrounded themselves with and the level to which they're all there to like, help each other out and support each other.
So I think that speaks, you know, very highly of your family for sure. But also, you know who, who's available in, in Orange County, in Newport Beach to, you know, the resources that are there if you choose to, um, you know, take advantage of them and collaborate with them.
Yeah, that's actually really interesting.
I, I think that the community aspect is really important for really how I grew up and where I wanna go with my own family. Um, I think that who you surround yourself with is really important and will be a reflection back on yourself. So making sure that you, one, you know, choose the right people, but also to shape what kind of community that you want for yourself too.
So I think that, um, having that support and having that backbone of these really great people, but also, um, making sure, I think they, my parents did a good job of making sure that there was, um, you know, you can have that solid feedback and that open communication and there's like constructive feedback and um, really like a sense of integrity, I guess you could say too.
Mm-hmm. So I think that, you know, having that backbone and that strong community is really important.
What does it mean to you to be a contributor to a community?
Ooh, okay. My love language is acts of service, so I'm always, um, you know, looking for things in ways I can help people. So I, I constantly find myself, you know, how can I help you with this?
Or how I can do this for you, or, um, and I think when you're constantly looking at how you can help others, you'll always succeed too. So I think if you have that notion of responsibility for one another and you know, you're a success as a group, um, I think you'll all be successful
as a kid. Were you already actively helping others?
Is there an example that you have? Oh, that's a
good
question.
Um, I think I always just had, I guess, empathy for others. My mom told me that when we were in, um. We played soccer, I think I played for 10 years, but there was this one year where they, they had the butterflies or something silly, and there's this banner that you have and every kid gets their butterfly with their name on it.
And we were a short one butterfly. And so this little girl is bawling her eyes out and I walk up to her, I'm like, we can share butterfly. Like, we'll, we'll be good. So I think just, you know, even just silly little things like that. I think, um, that was always how I was brought up, was to look out for others and make sure everyone's always included.
Yeah, I mean, it's super important. I, I'm a firm believer as well about community and, and being of service. And if you have something that you can contribute to somebody who needs it, like why wouldn't you help?
Exactly. So part of our company, we've been growing a lot lately and, um, we brought on a full-time manager recently, and she's been trained by Lululemon, which is really, um, a neat opportunity to bring a different, you know, culture into our company.
And so one of the things we're gonna start doing now is looking at, you know, our employees and how can we make sure that they're successful. So I think this is really interesting in not only figuring out how they can be successful at work, but really like, what's their goals for the year, whether it be personal or career related, or, you know, whatever they wanna achieve.
Um, we're trying to look and figure out how, what that culture looks like and how we can all be successful in and out of work. So I think that by bringing that in, I think it creates that sense of community, um, at our company and, you know, with the really people we care about.
It's so important for everyone, you know, listening to know, is that you are a late 20 something and you work a high powered, um, remote, lots of traveling, lots of expectations, full-time job, and you've started these two companies on the side.
So. Both, um, Springwood Pink started as an Etsy shop originally, and next thing you know, you and I talk in December, November, and you have staff and an office and a team. And for me it was so impressive because you hear about people who have side hustles and you think like, oh yeah, they do it like on Saturdays and Sundays, and they do a few things and they, they go on.
But no, like you have an entire enterprise that you're doing on the side. Like you, you have two jobs. How do you balance that, you know, in your twenties? What made you wanna start sprinkle with pink? Like how do you make all of that work? I don't know. No.
Um, you know, I think I've learned through some difficult ways.
I think the past couple years. We started it in 2017, I believe Spring of thousand 17. Um, started in, you know, the kitchen figuring out, you know, how to make these bachelorette banners. And that was, the banners were the most frustrating thing ever. So it was quickly taken off the product, um, field, but, um, you know, evolving from our kitchen to the garage and, you know, we're hot, we're cold, and, um, finally getting our office and growing our team.
I think that, and while having that other job, um, I think one of the most important lessons I learned was really taking care of yourself, um, first and foremost. So getting enough sleep, making sure you're exercising, you know, eating well. Um, if you aren't taking care of yourself, then you can't take care of your company or other jobs.
So learn that the hard way with traveling too much and trying to do everything all at once. So I think what's really been impactful for me is making sure you have the right people. Hiring, you know, my operations manager started, she is the best resource and we really can balance each other out. So making sure you have those right people and you not only have the right people, but trust them to run things for you.
So I can't do it all every single day. So having the right people there to, you know, take on different tasks and help us all succeed at the same time, I think is really important. So taking care of yourself, having the right people, um, and really just working hard. I mean, I think for me, there isn't really work days.
Monday through Friday. It's, you work and you get things done at all times. Um, but I think what I really love about it is it doesn't feel like a job. It's really fun. Um, you know, I have fun creating new products and figuring out new processes and what works and what really doesn't work. Um, so I think as long as you're having fun and you're passionate about it, you will succeed.
If you're doing something you know, as forceful just to make money and you don't really believe in your product, I think that's when you kind of have a pitfall.
How did you start sprinkling with pink? Where did the idea come from?
Let's see. It was, I was in Washington DC and I staying at a friend's house and she's not up yet.
I think it's 7:00 AM and I'm scrolling through and it's someone's bachelorette party. We're trying to figure out these different party favors and I'm like, I think I can do that. I find this weird machine, I think it's like $275 and everyone thinks I'm crazy. They go, why would you ever spend that amount of money on this paper cutter?
So I bought it and against everyone, I was like, I could sell things. I could sell things. They're like, yeah, right. Um, and then a few months later, trying to figure out how the heck to make these things. Um, and then expanding from this little, you know, 12 inch machine now into these industrial size, um, machines that go much quicker.
Um, I think it was just out of a need. You know, a lot of people are getting married and there's just such fun, um, accessories you can make for their bachelorette. And so, um, coning it with, I wanted a side project and have something creative to balance out my financial. Other, other job.
When you first got your, or when you got your first order from a customer that you didn't know, like were you jumping up and down?
Were you excited? Like what was that moment like?
Yeah, that was fun. At first I'm like, oh my gosh, I made a hundred dollars. You know? Oh yeah. Like, this is awesome. And Travis is looking, my boyfriend's looking at me being like, you are spending 12 hours making a hundred dollars. You are not worth it. You are worth way more.
I'm like, no, but I'm making money on these glitter banners. Um, but I think it's exciting, you know, having orders come in these, you know, strangers you don't know want to buy something that you made with your own hands. Um, I think that's really exciting.
Besides Travis, challenging what your hourly rate was worth, like, were there other people who were, you know, not supportive or worried about what you were starting?
I think a lot of people just didn't get it. Um, but I think at the same time they're like, oh yeah, like you can do that. Like, that's awesome. Um, so I think that having, and like going back to that community is really, um, teaching or training or community as who you are and who you stand for. Mm-hmm. And having them support you.
Um, I think in high school I volunteered a lot and I started nonprofits and I worked with an organization called Operation Smile. And I would go, and I remember this one presentation specifically and I was giving presentations Spanish class, and I played this video and it's for kids with class lips and class pals.
And I got a lot of slack and what I learned was, you know, I got really upset and I'm crying and Spanish glass like six period. And I learned that I didn't really set that up to be successful. I kind of just, you know, was a little bit embarrassed and just put the video up there and wanted it to do its own worth and I didn't.
Set it up or, you know, build up my community so they'd understand who I was and what I stood for. Mm-hmm. And I think that was really a teaching moment.
So what were you, what would you have done differently in that situation?
Um, I think just really educating people. You know, here's what's happening, here's, you know, the upset with these kids and they can't, you know, a lot of them are shunned in their communities and they can't go on dates, they can't go outside.
Um, and really just educating them. Like, here's what's happening. Here's what I stand for and I really wanna invite you to help me and help these kids. So I think by involving them and, you know, empowering them to support you, uh, would've been more powerful rather than just making them and, you know, guilting people into it or, you know, whatever was going on.
Right. Um, so by having an understanding of what someone stands for, I think it's much more powerful and you can be a leader in that.
When you started sprinkled with Pink, did you know anything about making products or running your own business or like what did you know and feel confident in and how much did you just not know and do it anyway?
Oh, I didn't know anything, but I think that's kind of the exciting part. I think that's one of the things that I really like is there's so many things I don't know how to do, and I think I find it fun to figure it out and find the right people like yourself. And you know, you're telling me we need to forecast our financial for five years, and I'm like, what?
How do we do that? Um, or when we first started, I'm making these glitter banners, which we do not do anymore, but Travis is saying, you know, you're not pricing your products right. You're not including your time. And I go, what do you mean I'm free? He goes, no, no, no. You have to value your time and like what your hourly rate is.
We need to build that into the cost. I'm like, no, I'm making $200. And he's like shaking his head. So there's definitely some hiccups along the way and um, things you can learn and, um. A lot of unknowns, I would say,
and to let the everyone listening know. Um, in addition to powerful Ladies, I have a consulting and coaching business, and you are one of my clients in that business.
So, um, you know, we got in touch just, uh, around the holidays or just before because you were looking to take your business to the next level. So, you know, hiring your new manager that you have, getting into a new office. And we connected because you're, you had gotten your business at such a point where you were ready to expand and were trying to find ways to basically clone yourself so that the business could keep growing and you could still have your current corporate job and this job and start Dapper Dog and have a life.
Absolutely, yes. One of our goals that we talked about was doubling the revenue of the company and cutting my hours in half, and so. I think that you came at a really, um, critical point. There were so many different directions we could go in and we're trying to sell wholesale, we're trying to go full throttle, but we don't have the right foundation to do that.
So it's kind of at this almost breaking point of things could crumble or be really successful. So I think by bringing you on, we're so happy because you helped us really solidify that foundation so that we could grow and grow really steady and have it be successful for a long time. So I think you and I met right before Christmas and you know, you helped us make a plan.
So, you know, how do we forecast our sales? How can we grow, how can we hire someone? We moved into a space four times our size. Um, we hired that full-time person who is just the best resource ever. Um, and now we're really gutting it. So I'm so happy to have had you guys and your services and thank you.
It's really, I think now, I think, I feel like at peace with it, uh, rather than all this anxiety, can we do it? And, you know, what does that look like?
Yeah, I think E, even in powerful ladies, there's such an importance to having your team, whether they're in-house, freelance consultants, there's so many different ways to organize the team around you to make whatever you're up to happen and to bring in people, have expertise or have these resources, or even just have the availability.
I think so often when you start a business, you're up against time and money, and if you can. At least fix one of those things. Like usually the time part, it allows the money part to to happen on its own. And, you know, credit to you because you're basically a dream client in the sense that you are so coachable and so open to it.
And you, I know that you're working so hard, so whatever I would like ask you to look at or do, it'd be done in like a day and you're like, and we beat our sales. And you're like, of course you did. Like, I, I wasn't gonna, I wasn't doubting that forever, you know?
Yeah. It's funny because when we met, remember we in December, November, December where sales were really down.
I think there was a seasonality to that.
Yeah.
Um, but you know, they're down like 50%. And then once we started getting, and there was like this anxiety about can this business survive? Can we keep going? You know, we were successful before, but what's happening? Um, really once we started. Back and believing in ourselves or getting it all organized and everything kind of ducks in the row of, you know, the office, the team, everything.
Um, January is one of our biggest months yet, so it's just interesting to see once you have that, you know, backbone of people and consultants and you know, people to help you through that, how once it really lines up, it all becomes really successful. So
it's been great. And there it really is this, this, this principle that people don't talk about a lot with momentum.
Like when you are sharing and people know what you're creating and what you stand for and you're getting people involved and you're talking about all the time, like there's something behind the momentum that just causes more things to move. And that's one of my favorite feelings is when you feel it all moving forward.
It might not be in, it might be in multiple directions, but you feel it moving forward. 'cause that's, that's what inspires myself and also reminds me like, it's okay, keep going, keep going. Because every day as a business owner, you have a doubt about something.
Mm-hmm. Yeah, absolutely. And the best part was that was one of our biggest months and we didn't really do, you know, we didn't do extra marketing, we didn't do anything like that.
So it, it's just really interesting. Uh, but I think, like you said, there's a lot of failures too, and I think those just make us stronger. And, you know, also something to LA look back and laugh at Alex and I constantly are like, oh my gosh, remember when we used to do X or Y Remember when you had that hundred square foot windowless office?
Yeah. So I think it really makes you appreciate what you have now and, uh, makes you stronger.
So in the area of that, like what are things that you feel like you have to overcome, either in your business or yourself, um, to, to stay in the powerful lady space versus a space of being ordinary?
Oh, that's a good question.
Um, I think really shifting it into a true full-time business. A shift for me. So making sure that I am being the, you know, good example for my employees, you know, they look up to you and how you act and how you present yourself is how they're going to follow as well. So I think, you know, constantly making sure that you're leading as an example and, um, really creating the culture that you want is important.
I think one of our challenges is staying focused. You know, there's so many different ways that we are pulled in. You know, there's a different sales channels, like a store in Dallas wants us to open a permanent pop-up shop or, you know, different target markets. Sororities want us to make their sorority, um, you know, fun swag or baby shop or, you know, there's so many different avenues we could go in.
So I think staying focused and figuring out where to spend our time and prioritize, um, because our to-do list is just so long. So, you know, the other day we really wanted to create a photo booth in our warehouse, but we, you know, had to finish our employee handbook. So making sure you stay on task with what's important, I think is always a challenge.
What, so you moved to Dallas or to Dallas because of college? Correct. Yes, went to SMU. What made you choose SMU?
You know, I wanted to get out of California. Um, not that there was anything bad about California, but I think just experiencing, um, a new place and new people. Um, I traveled a lot in high school, so, you know, going on medical to Vietnam by myself, um, when I was 15 or going to different conferences by myself, um, always wanted to figure out and learn from new people.
So wanted to get out of California and came to Dallas and everyone is just so nice here. And you know, we went to the mattress store to buy a new mattress and we're like, how are we gonna get this home? And this man in the store goes, oh, hey, y'all. Like I'll help you. I'm going that way. And, you know, so matches the back of his car and drops it off for us.
So people here are just so kind and, um, I don't think you find that everywhere. So it's a really good city to be in and you can actually, um, afford a home here versus California. It's a little bit more affordable
and you're a homeowner yourself.
Yes, he bought a house three years ago in this cute little neighborhood.
Um, that's definitely transitioning. So it's been fun to watch the neighborhood develop and, um, grow
within your peer group, whether it's, you know, friends in high school or from college. Do you feel that you're in a group where a lot of people have big careers and their own companies and are owning homes?
Or are you an outlier in that, in your group?
I would say it's a mix. Um, you know, I think that there's a lot of our friends are definitely go-getters and everyone's in different industries, from recruiters to product managers, to marketing. Um, everyone's really doing their own thing and being so successful.
So it's neat to see everyone in the, I don't think there's one person in the same career actually, now that I think about it from lawyers to, um, financial managers. Um, it's a whole, you know, mixed bag of people. But I think in Dallas it's definitely more common to be a homeowner. Um, I think a lot of the trends typically are with people who, you know, you get married when you buy a house.
It's been interesting, like my, you know, me and a couple friends buying homes, you know, as single women. Um, I think it's really empowering and it's been really a neat experience. And now serving on, there's a lot of things to learn too. So I'm the president of our HOA board and that's been an adventure too, so
it's been fun.
So as we're listening to you share about your two companies and your day job and being on the board of the HOA, when do you have time to do the things that are not work and responsibility related?
Um, that is a good question. I am very bad at relaxing, so I kind of have to force myself to relax, but I think it's important.
Um, I think the dog has been really helpful. Um, you know, yesterday we went to the dog park for a few hours and. Um, I think putting your phone away is really important too. I think oftentimes we think relaxing, we're scrolling through Instagram or whatever you're doing on your phone to stay busy, but I think putting that away has been really important.
Um, we tried a little bit back to put our phones by like an hour before bed and really read, and I think that's been really great too. So it's a way for me to still, you know, learn new things and um, pick up new skills, but also have it be a relaxing and, you know, calm way to end the day. So there's that.
And there's also travel too. I think we travel a ton, um, both for work and pleasure. So my boyfriend and I like to take one big trip a year. We did, let's see, dance Canada, Iceland, Hong Kong, Bali, and we're currently trying to figure out where our next place is this year. So, um, that's definitely one of our, you know, favorite things to do together.
Is your boyfriend Travis as driven and focused as you are? Yes, if not more.
He started his own, um, software company, um, left a, you know, really great, you know, manager of operations for a large insurance company. So left that job to start its own company. It's called Agency Route, and it's a CRM platform for, um, agriculture agent.
So something that didn't exist and he invented it from scratch. So taught himself how to code, you know, serve a blank slate. And now he has, you know, um, all these different paying, you know, recurring monthly subscribers. So it's just really neat to see him grow and it's been really interesting for us both to work at home, you know, back to back three feet apart.
Um, that's been interesting for our relationship, but I think definitely made us stronger.
Are there moments when you're both yelling on a phone call and somebody has to make the decision to leave the room?
Oh, absolutely. Every day. Uh, so being in sales and with our company, I'm where I'm constantly on the phone and him being a coder, you know, he needs, you know, intense concentration.
So it's definitely a, a rollercoaster. But, um, now that we have our larger office, I've been going in every single day, which is helped and take the pup too sometimes. So it's been fun.
And that's to the sprinkled with pink office? Yes. When you hear someone talking about powerful ladies, like what does it mean to you to be a powerful lady and when, what does it mean, uh, and how you view other women?
I think that I haven't really, I think of myself as a leader, but I, you know, think about always empowering others. I think a true, powerful lady is one who's always constantly bringing others up with them. And I think that's how we can, you know, all succeed together. I think if you just constantly think about yourself and you know yourself, being successful isn't really work for me.
So, um. Always loved people. Like I think Ellen DeGeneres is one of my favorite people. Um, she, first of all, she's been through so much, um, and been like the first, you know, openly gay comedian or, you know, just different things that she's done in the past has just been really hard. And I think that she stands for constantly bringing up other people.
You know, she has 5-year-old people on her show all the time and she's constantly getting Shutterfly, these different, um, partners give away thousands of dollars. And, you know, it's all about creating a fun space, but also doing it in a really neat and kind and, you know, leading by example way. So I really like her leadership style, that it's fun, playful, but intentional and, you know, always has others in, you know, at the forefront.
Are there, do you see a trend in your age group where more people are looking to have their own business or company? Like do you see trends in how they approach what their career path is?
Yeah. You know, I think it's a lot. I'm sure you've seen the same, I think it's a lot more popular now to have your own, you know, side hustle isn't just a, you know, uncommon thing.
A lot of people have their own side hustle or starting their own companies, um, you know, working with you too. I'm like, oh, hey, I could send this person to you too. Or, oh, they started their own company, they'll send 'em to Kara. Um, you know, they need your, your service. So it's been interesting to see how many people are starting their own thing, and it's been really neat to see everyone, you know, be able to do that for themselves too.
So I think it's an interesting day and age of their technology and different resources about, you know, how easily attainable that is if you have the right intention and can spend enough time with it
based on, you know, when you were born and when you grew up, did you ever feel that you couldn't do anything like, 'cause I guess what I'm trying to get at is how you see, you know, the feminist and female movement and if you've ever felt like you couldn't do something because of your gender.
Ooh. Um, I think that a lot of people, it is a, it is a big struggle, I think, to be a woman in the workplace. I think especially, you know, I've had a number of different corporate jobs and I think it's, you know, can be an issue from time to time. There's certain things he told me, no past boss, I'll never forget this.
He told me, he told me, you know, no matter how hard you try, you'll never be good enough. Um, there's just certain things that are just so spiteful. And, um, how did you deal with that? I, it's an awful thing. Um, I think that when people tell me certain things like that, it really gets me going even more to prove them wrong.
So I think that it kind of feeds that for me. And so, you know, when I, the day I left a couple months later, he goes, oh, can you please take me with you?
No, he didn't.
It just makes you Yes. And I'm like, are you serious? So I think it was definitely a struggle for women, you know. Um, and my other job, I think I am one of four women in the, in our company.
So I think that there's always that strong male presence, but I think just persevering. I think A, sometimes it can make you stand out, um, and b just makes you work that much harder.
Yeah, I think it's really interesting because everyone has their own experience with what's happening in the female empowerment movement and what they've experienced either personally or in the workforce.
And what I am impressed by are how many women are, have things, have stories to tell, and are doing it anyway. Right. They're not letting it stop them.
Yeah, I think one of the, the things that I like and people say is, you know, instead of being a victim of something, how can you be a survivor and how can you learn from it and move on?
Mm-hmm. So I
definitely like where we are today, like thinking of women in general. You know, our senate has a lot of women, more women now, and there's just so many different barriers that we're breaking, um, which is just so great. But I think one of the things for me is that we don't think about, you know, a woman or a man.
It's just really a person in general and how, you know, successful are they, how good of a resource are they? So, um, I think that's important for me too, just all being equal and, you know, yes, we're not different people. We're not, you know, we're all just, um, people in general.
Yeah. No, I, it's, it's so important and I really look forward to a point when we aren't talking about things in such divisive terms.
So when you are out to have fun and forget about work for a little while, how do you spend your time?
Um, well, Dallas, there's, you know, I think the only thing we do here is drink, eat, and shop. There's a definite patio scene here, so every restaurant and bar has an amazing patio, so it's really nice to just be outdoors and, you know, have some good quality time with your friends or walking on our trails or, um, one of our legs.
I love that. And then also, um, we love cooking and yoga, so different ways to, I think quality time is really important for us, so making sure you have that with your friends and family, and especially with our busy schedules, I think that we really need to be intentional about, you know, okay, we hung out with this person last week, who can we hang out?
You know, making sure you put that in, you know, it priority. So, um. I definitely like that and definitely have to be intentional or else it, uh, does go to the wayside.
So it sounds like you are, um, heavily reliant on your calendar. What are other things that you do to like practical things that you do every day to be operating at your best?
That's funny you say that. We were at breakfast this morning and I brought my calendar, my yearly calendar, and I'm going with Travis and thinking, okay, what are we doing this month? And we went through the whole year, we wrote down the football games we're going to, and this woman next to us goes, what is that?
So this is a calendar. What do you mean? She goes, I've never seen someone do like that. That's pretty cool. I should do that. I'm like, yeah, go to Target calendar. Um, so I think being really organized, I think myself, I'm just pretty, you know, uh, type A, I guess you could say. Mm-hmm. Um. Definitely being organized, everything on your plate and then also prioritizing.
So I think, you know, we use Google, keep it work to figure out what's on our to-do list and we have different notes. So you know, one for today, one for this week, one for this month, and then you know, another one when we have time. Um, so constantly updating those lists every day and then coming into the day and Alex and I sit down and we say, okay, you know, what are our priorities for today and what do we have to attack first?
And knowing that we're not going to get to the whole list, um, that list is ever growing. But constantly making sure that we're prioritizing and getting the most important things that even if they're not fun.
Yeah, that
was first.
For people who don't know, what is gu? Keep.
We've been playing with it lately.
I used to use, um, Microsoft OneNote and it has disappeared from my computer. So we've been using Google Keep, which is interesting. You can, it's kind of like organized sticky notes that, um, you can invite people to collaborate on. Um, you can create check marks, different priorities. You can create labels.
Um, it's a really great way to keep lists and, um, keep it organized and digital. I'm all about writing things down and I oddly have this weird, I write them down and I put 'em on the computer, so I do the same. Um, I used to write a new list every single day, and that pad, you know, we've gone through many of those, so this is a nice digital way to keep that.
Mm-hmm. Yeah, I think that there's something nice about having, uh, like tangibly writing it down because it's almost meditative in that. You write it down, get it out of your head, you have the list, and then you can be a lot more, um, you know, focused when you put it into whatever digital application you're using because you've kind of gotten it organized versus if you just start in the digital space, it's this really random, messy list that is hard to organize.
So I'm the same way about having a, a written method and a digital method.
Absolutely. Yeah. That calendar I talked about. We have digital and written and people are like, why do you have both? I'm like, I don't know. I like holding it. Like I still buy the hard bound books rather than like Kindle. Mm-hmm. Um, Kindle's been dead for a few months, so I like, I like holding the actual, um, paper in my hands.
How important is reading to you and, you know, continuing your personal growth?
I really like it. I think it's a calming way and I think you should constantly be, you know, figuring out different things to learn. I think if you just thought, oh, I'm good, I got it. I can't, you know, I don't need to learn anything else.
I think that's a true hindrance. So, um, I think it's important. But with that said, I am the slowest reader. Um, growing up with a DD my mom has put me through so many different feed reading or, you know, different classes and courses and not to any my avail. So, um, definitely something I'm still working on.
Travis will read, you know, four books for my one book, but I still really enjoy it.
Growing up and, and, you know, being diagnosed with a DD, did you see that as something that was negative or just what, so like how did you feel about it and how have you, you know, used it as a source of power for yourself?
I think growing up it wasn't really a common, or as common, I guess.
Now, um, remember in the fourth or fifth grade, I kept being pulled out of class and they're like, what is, you know, what's wrong with her? You know, let's these tests or meet this person to do these, I don't even know what kind of games we were doing. They were trying to figure me out. So I think at first it was an upsetting thing.
Um, you know, what's kind of wrong with you? And I think I used it as an excuse and they couldn't figure out like the way I learned. And so I don't think I did very well in, um, elementary or middle school. Like I had like a different style, um, you know, fail quizzes, but then ace the test or you know, different things like that.
Mm-hmm. So
I think figuring out my learning style is really important. And I think everyone has their own way of learning and their own, you know, methods, their madness. And so figuring that out is really important. And I think just teaching kids one learning style is not one size fits all. So, you know, having patience with your kids and really figuring out what works for them is so important.
What have you realized works for you?
Oh, the list. I love the list being organized and um, you know, I remember like having all these different classes and I had a different. Color coordinated notebook and binder that matched the, you know, note taking binder and pen for each class. Or, you know, different fun ways to make note taking or learning fun.
Um, I think for myself, I always make it a game. So by figuring out that game mentality, I'm really competitive. So, um, I think that was a way for me to make learning or different schoolwork fun rather than this boring drag and I'm bad at it and not gonna be good enough.
One of the most upsetting things for me, um, is, and that I'm motivated at some point to take some action on or, or, or participate in changing, is how the US education and learning system is set up.
Because I think that to your point, there's so many people that learn in so many different ways and mm-hmm. You wanna allow kids to have that curiosity and energy and excitement for as long as possible and when. You know, labels get applied or you don't fit into the mold that that school decided on for who knows how and for what purpose.
It's so defeating, like, why would we want to defeat, give any, give kids any reason to feel defeated at that point? Like, there's plenty of that to come up in adulthood. So like Exactly. Yeah. Why do it when you're a kid and when learning is so important and yeah, I totally agree with you. Like we have to spend some time looking at how every person is able to use their unique skills and talents and abilities to live their best life.
And I think it, it's absolutely, I'm so glad that you shared, um, that experience for yourself because when people hear your story and look at you like you are super successful, you're super smart, you, you know, you're a person that people are inspired by. And to know that. Is this could have all been derailed because of an a DD diagnosis when you were, what, probably like eight, seven, and Yeah, I
think 10.
I remember how old you're in fourth, fifth grade.
Yeah. And but to, to think that that could have stopped your path because of that. Um, and the fact that you haven't, and to your point earlier, you're a survivor of, you know, whatever you personally felt about that. I, I think it just speaks volume to who you are and also the opportunities we have to like, let everybody win versus make it easier for the system to work.
Yeah. And I think the schools have gotten a lot better at that too, so, you know, being more adaptive or, you know, allowing extra time or, you know, allowing kids to figure that out or, you know, go to these special therapists or different, you know, educators. Um, to work with them and find what works. I think that's really great and I think they just need to keep doing that.
Um, but sometimes, you know, they gave me extra time in college and at the SATs and sometimes that extra time does not work. I think I had eight and a half hours to do the SAT and that drove me in insane. So given a DT kid eight hours to do an SATI think is the, the wrong direction.
They should have given you, uh, one hour.
Yeah, right. Let's give an a DD kid like way longer to do a standardized test. Um, so I think just trying and figuring out what works and what doesn't work and um, that definitely did not work for me. So, but I think just really realizing everyone's different. You know, my roommate in college, we had a lot of the same classes and it would take her a few hours to write a paper and she'd get an A and it would take me 10 hours and I'd get A, an average B.
So people have to spend different amounts of time and different effort and, you know, everyone's different and it's okay.
Exactly. It's okay. Like let's celebrate that. So what are you taking on for 2019? Um, personally and then we can talk about professionally.
Um, personally I think really wanted to work on having a better balance.
So like I said, last year was a bit, you know, skewed towards the be successful, do everything all at once, at all the time, and, you know, be running on all cylinders every single day and every hour. Um, that does not work. So, um, got burned out very quickly. And so focusing on a better balance, um, you know, whether that's just time for myself, which, you know, it's hard for me.
Um, working out, you know, staying really healthy, um, I think is one of our biggest goals this year.
And how do you plan on doing that?
Um, let's see. Doing more yoga, definitely cooking, um, that meal prepping is just so helpful for us. So having those really healthy, yummy meals in the, the fridge ready to go and grab.
Especially for a busy lifestyle is so important and such an easy resources. It saves money too. So, um, that's been really big for us doing yoga, doing meditation, um, just hanging out with my friends. So, you know, there's certain nights where someone called me last week and let's go to dinner and, you know, I had 10 things to do and I'm like, no, I have to, you know, do my taxes or whatever it was.
Um, and saying, you know what, I can do that later and I really should go spend time with my friends. So, um, picking and choosing and making sure you have your priorities straight.
How important to you is having a good group of powerful ladies and girlfriends in your everyday life?
Oh, I think it's really important.
I think like, you know, your friends are reflection of who you wanna be and what you'll become too. So surrounding yourself with the right people is just so important.
Besides your mother and Ellen DeGeneres, who are women that he, that you look up to, that you strive to be, and when you're not feeling powerful, you can go to as a resource?
Ooh, that's a good question. Um, I'm trying to think of who. I think really, I think there's so many powerful ladies. Um, obviously I think Elna Degener, um, but I also think, oh, uh, Michelle Obama. I've been reading her book Becoming, um, not done. It's a longer one, but I think she's just such a powerful lady to look up to.
Um, you know, she came from a, you know, an interesting background and she's really risen above that and been really powerful despite all the different challenges she's come across. And, you know, look at her now. She was First Lady. Um, she had different campaigns to stop ob obesity and, you know, have a healthy lifestyle of these education systems and.
She's really taken a stand and you know, been really successful at it. So I really enjoy watching her and she's a really powerful, you know, gets me going when I watch videos or everything she's doing. So, um, I really look up to her and um, like what she stands for.
So if there is someone listening right now who has an idea for a business, they dunno how to start.
They don't have the skills to that they think to take it all the way. What are the first things you would tell them to do?
Hire Kara. Um, no, that actually would be my second one. Um, someone else I just referred to you recently, you know, she talked about starting our own business and she said, we got, I'm gonna, you know, maybe we'll talk to a consultant later when we're down the road and we're already there.
And I said, absolutely not. Call her now. You know, you need that foundation even if you don't have a company even today. So I really think, um. For me, I think one of, like a good skill I have is finding the right people. So if you don't know how to do something, a, you know, there's always Google, there's everyone teaching you any kind of number of weird things.
Um, but b you know, finding those resources to help you through it. If you don't have the answer, who can you call or who can you lean on? I think I'm constantly doing that, so, um, I found it fun to figure that out. Um, but I think that's sort of the ride too, is really figuring out where you're gonna go and what it's gonna look like.
And as you look into 2019 for your career, what are your goals? What are you focusing on? What are you excited about?
I think expanding our business. You know, we looked at our company and we said, okay, here's who we are today. We have these different areas we could grow into, but let's be successful in the one area we're in already.
So our goal is to be your go-to bachelorette shop. You can buy, you know, your one-stop shop to get everything for your bachelorette or wedding or girls weekend. So expanding the link to that girls' weekend and, you know, come join us for the party. So I think we had 60 products last year and we were already really successful.
So we were really figuring out how can we expand that product line and where are we gonna go into. So, um, making sure we had that solid, you know, variety first is one of our biggest priorities right now, and we're trying to, you know, get at least a few hundred more products up and running by the end of this quarter.
We're also looking at, um, hiring a social media person, you know, someone to help us with our marketing. Um, I can write a great business email, but not an Instagram post. So, um, definitely need help in that area. So I think that's really exciting to grow and like I said, being other people. So, you know, that's not my strong student.
I think. Um, the things I've read, people have always said, you know, if know your strengths and know your weaknesses, you know that people talk about these good leaders and everyone's really well-rounded. Um, but this doesn't happen. I think knowing where you have those things and who can fill in your gaps and, you know, help you in your weaknesses.
So hiring that marketing person, having us really go out and do some advertising and, you know, really reach our audience is important this year too.
And so you're killing it at work. You're killing it in your side hustle. You have a great group of friends. You know, what should we expect from you five, 10 years from now?
Ooh, that's a fun question. Um, I play with that a lot. Um, we still haven't figured out if we'll go back to California. Um, yeah, that's like the ultimate question, where do we live? Um, but definitely wanna start a family in the next five or 10 years. Um, I see sprinkle of pink growing and continuing to grow.
You know, we're already thinking about, okay, when's the next time we can bring on a full-time employee? So really wanna build that into, you know, a big company where we can, you know. Be like, go-to back to red shop. So I definitely think five years is attainable and then we can keep growing every year. Um, definitely need a yard.
We even need a new house with a yard, A three story townhouse with a puppy is just, oh my gosh, I'm getting lots of steps on my Apple watch. So definitely we'll have that house with the yard soon.
So we ask all of our powerful ladies, um, where you stand on the powerful lady scale, zero being ordinary human and 10 being powerful.
Lady Wonder Woman, where do you feel on an average day, where do you feel today? Ooh,
interesting. Um, let's see. I think every day is different, but I think that I like to view myself as a powerful leader. I think that people can always improve those. I think, you know, maybe a six-ish, um, always looking at different leadership courses or different people I can learn from.
So I think that's never gonna be that perfect 10 powerful lady. So, um, there's always more to grow and learn.
Is there a leadership, um, course or workshop that you've done that you have gotten a lot of value out of that you recommend to other women?
I kind of, a number of them over the years through different organizations.
Um, I'm trying to remember what the, the last one I did was, there's a lot of, you know, different courses through landmark education that I really enjoyed. Uh, we did one recently. It was a communication course and, you know, everyone like, oh, is that a relationship course? And I'm like, no, it's not. Um, you know, it's really about learning how to be an effective communicator with everyone in your life, from your relationships to your friends, to your workplace.
So I think that communication's been really, um, important for me and building a solid company and everything that entails. So, um, what did you get out of
that
weekend? We, I think the most important thing is really listening to others. Um, I think oftentimes we think we're listening, but really we're just playing our own feedback of what we're hearing.
So I think that's a really eye-opening to, you know, don't, you know, formally your answer while someone's talking, really listen to what they have to say. And I think oftentimes you'll hear something different, um, than if you had been, you know, really in your own feet versus there. So I think that was really eye-opening and I think allowed a lot more, um, I'm not sure what the right word is, but, you know, I think our relationship and then also at work too.
Um, I think a lot of times you, you know, like, I had the right answer, but you know, really what can your employees contribute? What do they know? Um, so allowing everyone to have that contribution and really listening to them is so important.
A lot of people don't have the supportive, as driven partner as you do.
So for somebody who doesn't, what, what tips would you give them so that they can stay on their driven path while giving space for their partner to be on their own path?
Ooh, I've had to learn a lot about this lately. I think, um, learning everyone's style I think is really important for me. I'm just kind of more of a word of vomit.
Oh my gosh, did you hear about this thing? And, you know, 10 times a day I'm interrupting. I'm excited about everything. And Travis is, I've constantly talking about everything to everyone and I kind of need to work through it by talking about things. And for him, he is really, you know, quiet, you know, he's a developer and, you know, engineer mindset.
So figuring out what works best for each person, I think is really important. And you don't want to, you know, run someone over or, you know, you wanna make sure that you have that balance and power with someone. Um, but you still wanna make sure you have a supportive partner too. You know, I think that's really important for them.
You know, whatever your endeavor is, you know, you need to have that support and love and admiration.
Yeah. And I think that there's space to take on what you're committed to without it having to be like an entire family commitment. Like everyone doesn't need to be on, you know, up for that game. So like simple things in my life, you know, if, if I'm committed to making the bed every morning before I start my day and I'm waking up hours before Jesse, there are times when like my half the bed is made and he's still sleeping in it, which might look so ridiculous.
And so type A for someone watching, but there's something about knowing like, I, I did my side we're okay, I can move on. Like it's, 'cause it's one of my five things to do every day to like be on, on track. And um, I just had to get, I love it. I just had to accept like, well my half's made, he'll have to make his half later.
Yeah. And you know, that's actually funny you say that because everyone has different things that are important to them. I was, you know, very bad about changing the toilet paper roll, which is still random, but really irked. It's okay to be like, look, this is important to me. I need to change the roll. I'm like, okay, I got it, I'll do it.
But I think, you know, learning what is important for them, like for you making your bed or whatever it may be, you know, while affiliate is important to other person. So I think making sure you're constantly looking out for each other and, um, you know, doing what works for your relationship, not just what works for you.
Yeah. We had, um, a couple on, a couple episodes ago, and early in their relationship, they made an agreement that if they said, no, this is important to me, that the other person would listen and do whatever they asked, um, you know, with inside of safety. Um, because that was like the code word to say like, no, like we have to do something about this.
And of course they use it wisely, right? They're not like. I have to go to this baseball game. It's really important to me. Right. It's not those things. Mm-hmm. But it became a great opportunity for them to really listen to each other, like you were talking about before, as well as be being able to honor, you know, in the relationship to things that were important to the other person.
You, you brought up the, that your love language is being in service. And you know, most people have different love languages than their partner and multiple love languages all at the same time. And to me it's such a beautiful gift to be able to give someone a commitment that you'll honor what matters to them, even if it makes no sense to you.
Like me making the bed every morning, or Travis in his toilet paper rolls.
Yeah, I completely agree. And everyone's love languages are different. It's not about just in relationships too. It's, you know, with your coworkers, with your friends, with your family. Um, so I think learning what those are and making sure that you're constantly, you know, checking out like what's so for that person.
So, um, you know, like Travis and I are completely different. His is quality time mines, words of affirmation. He's like, what do you mean? Like, what are words of affirmation? He's like, I have to say things. So, um, you know, I think just constantly checking in and making sure that you're aware of like what other people's needs are.
And it may not make sense to you, but they really are important for making sure everyone feels is taken care of
because you're so driven in your, you know, career, uh, life and your personal schedule and, and achieving your goals. Was it challenging to find a partner who. Like, who fit you and that met what you, your expectations were, did Travis just show up one day?
And you're like, oh, finally I found him. Like, what did you have to go through and learn from a relationship perspective to get to where you are today?
I dated, I dated a lot of interesting people. Um, and I would say it's a definitely easy feat, but I think, you know, when they met, um, was at some bar at some concert, um, I think it was really apparent that, you know, we were both strong-willed because, you know, compliment each other. So I think that was really exciting for me to find someone like that.
Um, I think a lot of people get kind of intimidated when they have a, you know, strong female partner, which I think is just so silly. So I think that, you know, everyone has their own success and finding someone to balance you or support you is really important. So I've been really grateful and excited, um, to have someone like that.
Yeah. So what are things that you want powerful ladies to know or women who don't think they're powerful to know?
Oh, let's see. Um, I think there's, you know, knowing that you can do anything you set your mind to. I think there's so many different things that you may have no idea about. And, you know, just educating yourself and putting your mind to it. Um, there's really no stopping you. And there may be, you know, certain roadblocks, there might be certain things that get in your way or, you know, people in my Spanish class tell me, you know, sit down like, what are you doing with these, these kids, these much harsher language.
But you know, there's gonna be certain people who come in your path, and I think you can't let those get in your way. I think if you just make sure that those make you stronger and build you up as a person rather than letting you down and giving up. So, you know, whatever it is you're passionate about, you know, the, you know, random stray dogs in Dallas or the yoga or whatever you're passionate about, um, it really can be.
Anything you set your mind to? Um, I think one of my friends and I, Elisa and I, we were like, you know what, there's food deserts here and, and that's when there's no grocery store within, you know, a certain mile radius. Yeah. And I go, great, let, let's start at a community garden. And so within 48 hours we had devised a whole business plan and we're, we have no idea how to garden.
We have absolutely no idea. And we're watching movies and we're like figuring out, you know, how far away to plant broccoli and you know, there's just so many different ways. I went to the Dallas Library and had a library card, um, that was interesting. So there's just so many different ways you can educate yourself and you can be successful with ever you that your mind too.
So I think just, you know, having everyone know that and um, having someone be a resource to you too, I think is important. Find your people, find what you're passionate about and go for it.
I just recently got my library card for the first time in ages and I did it because there's, you know, as an entrepreneur you're always looking for free resources because the game is like, how do I do all of this on the smallest budget possible?
And there's so many resources at most libraries and they've advanced so much since, you know, when I first had my library card and we were literally stamping a card, right. To check out books and Oh, I
love those. Yeah. You'd write your name and on that little Yes. Paper that's front of the book, right? Yeah.
They have Kindles now too. You can get eBooks and. And that's also a fun thing,
an entire, like, um, the one I, I, uh, signed up at the, one of the Newport Beach branches, excuse me. And they have entire, um, equipment you can rent video cameras and audio equipment, and they have courses on how to do designs. And there's all this digital, all these digital assets and equipment that they have now, which most people don't think about when they think about the library.
So anyone that doesn't know where to start, that's probably a great place to go after Google because you'd be surprised what's there, um, what speakers come through that you could meet and, you know, network with or learn from. So I think that's a great resource as well.
Absolutely. There's, and that actually brings up a good thing point too.
I didn't realize how many local free resources there are. Um, there, you know, from the library too, there's always, um, different startup companies too. Uh, there's a local one here in Dallas and they really work, you know, pro bono with you to figure out how to help you grow as a company or they have monthly seminars or different people coming in and you can have an advisor.
So I think that's a great resource to go to. And there's also, um, I'm forgetting the name of it. You recommended it to me actually. Is it the a CA, the that the B business something or that Small business
association. SBA.
Yes. They're incredible. So I didn't even know it existed. They need to do better marketing.
They are the best resource. You walk in and it's this whole center. Um, and they have these experts there. You know, you have your financial expert and, um, the e-commerce expert and the accounting expert. You know, you have these different people and they all can help you for free. Um, endless, you know, you could go.
20 times a month if you wanted to. Um, but I had no idea. So I think if you're starting your own small business, definitely go to them. They have a ton of different resources. They have classes you can take. Um, definitely don't look past that.
Another one that I always recommend is go to your local university, especially if they have a business or MBA program, because there are always people who need internships.
And this could apply to non-business starting people as well. Like if you need a designer, if you need whatever you need, there's probably a student out there who needs to get credit for learning how to do that and either could be free or very inexpensive. So, you know, you have so many projects you have to do in business school and it's really hard to work on some of the business application when you don't have something real to to compare it to.
Like I remember when we were first learning all the different Excel and spreadsheets and everything. You would sit there and be like, I don't understand why we're making these 80 million lists. Like, what is the purpose? And so once you go into like an an area where you need to make lists and you need to sync things and you need the excel to work for you, then it all makes sense and it's so easy to learn how to use it.
Um, so there are so many people hungry to, um, help you because it, you know, helping you helps them that, um, that's another thing that people don't use enough.
Oh yeah. We're definitely gonna be tapping that this year. One of our, um, employees is a college intern from SMU and we're gonna looking at hiring, um, a graphic design intern and a PR intern.
So there's definitely a great resource of students and definitely tap that
as you've been bringing people onto your team. How much time have you spent looking at what you wanna do and own versus what you wanna give away and not have to think as much about like basically how have you been deciding how you wanna spend your time in the business versus where it's maybe smarter to have somebody else do it, either 'cause you don't want to or it's not your strong suit.
Yeah. Yeah. I think that was one of my, um, challenges previously. I, you know, I typically am like, okay, they can't do it. I'm gonna do it myself. And that gets exhausting and doesn't work and doesn't allow you to grow as a person and you know, a company. So, like you said, learning to figure out what you can first outsource or what you can offset to your team and have them grow on your team, um, I think is really great.
So, you know, constantly trying to educate people and saying, you know, come sit with me. Come learn this. It'll really help you in the long run if they understand more about the business and how to take things on. So, you know, um, before I was constantly worried about shipping, you know, is USPS coming here today?
They're constantly missing their pickup. So, um, you know, having someone else manage that process so that I can focus on more strategic things rather than, you know, who's picking up our packages today, um, is definitely more powerful and what's gonna move our company forward. So I think it is important to figure out what you can take off your plate in order to put more important or different kind of things on your plate.
So last question for the day. What are some resources that you recommend to other women? These could be podcasts, TED talks, um, anything else that we haven't mentioned today that you think are great assets, either for fun and entertainment or for figuring out how to be their most powerful.
Um, other than research we talk about though different associations are so powerful and helpful, you know, constantly picking up a book, I, I just think you can't learn enough.
So making sure you always have a book on your nightstand. Um, even if it's a fun one, you know, constantly evolving yourself. But I also love podcasts. Um, there's so many out there right now hooked on how I built this, and it's different companies, you know, from small startups or Spanx or Taco Airlines and learning about how they built their company and the hiccups they had along the way and, um, different triumphs.
So, um, love that one and also been reading Radical Candor recently, your recommendation actually. Such a great book. Um, learning about how to, you know, give feedback and empower your, empower your team in order to, you know, have a really good communication stream and be open and, you know, empower others. So that's been really great for us too.
Awesome. Well, thank you so much for your time today. I'm so honored that you are a guest on The Powerful Ladies Podcast. Thank you for being a powerful lady out in your world, being a boss lady, and creating an empire where you can, you know, inspire others to have their best life as well.
Well, thank you so much for having me.
It's been so great to, you know, have you as a consultant and help our business and, um, love to contribute in any way. So thank you.
My pleasure. All right. I'll talk to you soon, Kendra. Thank you.
Kendra is a dream client of mine. She's super coachable. She trusts me and she does her homework between our meetings, which means she's producing results. Her drive and focus is so inspiring. So often I meet with people who are running away from being organized and having a schedule. And Kendra is a great example that the fastest way to live the life you want is to plan it out, to get coaching and to take action.
She's also an example of the skills, talents, and gifts that make you special can at first label you as different. How you capitalize on what you're given is what transforms it from a problem to your best asset. Great news for everybody is that if you go to sprinkled with pink shop.com and use Code Powerful Ladies, you can get 10% off your order at Sprinkled with Pink to support and connect with Kendra to give her a high five and tell remind her that she's doing awesome.
You can follow her on Instagram at Sprinkled with Pink Shop as well as at Dapper Dog Shop. You can check out her Etsy shop as well as her website sprinkled with Pink shop.com, and email her hello at sprinkled with pink shop.com and visit her Etsy store Dapper Doc. As always, you can go to our show notes to get the exact links to all of her Instagrams and her websites.
If you'd like to support the work that we're doing here at Powerful Ladies, there's a couple of ways you can do that. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Google Play, or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Leave a review on any of these platforms. Share the show with all the powerful ladies and gentlemen in your life.
Join our Patreon account. Check out the website, the powerful ladies.com. To hear more inspiring stories. Get practical tools to be your most powerful. Get 15% off your first order in The Powerful Ladies Shop, or donate to the Powerful Ladies one Day of Giving campaign. And of course, follow us on Instagram at Powerful Ladies for show notes and to get the links to the books.
Podcasts and people we talk about. Go to the powerful ladies.com. I'd like to thank our producer, composer, and audio engineer Jordan Duffy. She's one of the first female audio engineers in the podcasting world, if not the first, and she also happens to be the best. We're very lucky to have her. She's a powerful lady in her own right, in addition to taking over the podcasting world.
She's a singer songwriter working on our next album, and she's one of my sisters, so it's amazing to be creating this with her, and I'm so thankful that she finds time in her crazy busy schedule to make this happen. It's a testament to her belief in what we're creating through Powerful Ladies, and I'm honored that she shares my vision.
Thank you all so much for listening. We'll be back next week with a brand new episode. I can't wait for you to hear it. Until then, I hope you're taking on being powerful in your life. Go be awesome and up to something you love.
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Follow her on Instagram @dapperdogshop

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Created and hosted by Kara Duffy
Audio Engineering & Editing by Jordan Duffy
Production by Amanda Kass
Graphic design by Anna Olinova
Music by Joakim Karud

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