Meet Kayla Ross

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kayla Ross. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kayla below.

Hi Kayla , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

My work ethic comes from a long line of hardworking men and women. Looking back at my family’s lineage, I see farmers who toiled the land—these people are the true salt of the earth, literally giving everything they have for their families’ survival. I am proud to come from a family of Kansas farmers. Additionally, a more direct source of my drive comes from both my mother and father, who, with the skills they learned, became small business owners themselves to support our family. I couldn’t be more thankful for the work ethic I inherited because, without it, my business wouldn’t be what it is today.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Grapes+Gouda is a woman-owned small business focused on crafting charcuterie boards, boxes, and grazing tables. What you might not know is that we also provide a variety of sandwiches and salad meals, available for delivery in prepackaged boxes or set up on-site. I’m lucky to collaborate with another female entrepreneur, BarrowsBakingCo. Together, we whip up creations that are not just tasty but also stunningly beautiful. Trust me, you won’t find anything quite like what we offer.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I am committed to giving my all to the things that truly matter to me. When I care about something, I dive in completely, dedicating my time and energy to learn everything I can. It’s essential to genuinely love what you do, as the journey often involves long hours and unexpected challenges. Quick thinking is crucial in any career, and being able to problem-solve on the spot is key. I also believe in surrounding myself with knowledgeable individuals who make sound decisions and uphold strong values. Lastly, it’s important to remain humble and recognize that there’s always more to learn, which I find incredibly exciting. For anyone starting out, my advice is to invest in yourself, absorb as much knowledge as possible to achieve success, and maintain a sense of humility.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

The past year has been both wonderful and thrilling for Grapes+Gouda’s growth. I’ve had to challenge myself to recognize when to seek assistance, realizing that successful growth often requires asking for help and delegating tasks. Since I never intended to start or run a small business, learning these lessons along the way has been crucial for our overall development.

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