Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Simmy Virk. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Simmy, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I feel that I will always be a lifelong pursuer of unwavering confidence. However, I now feel much more confident in my 30s than I ever did before. In my 20s, my understanding of myself was superficial, and as the years went by, I faced the growing pains of adulthood. Through adversity, I was forced to make decisions that pushed me out of my comfort zone, teaching me to grow through challenges rather than ignore or run away from them.
Now, having a deeper understanding of myself, being an independent thinker, and feeling comfortable in my own company, I feel more whole and self-accepting. To me, confidence is about truly knowing yourself, which contrasts with the popular belief that it stems from outward behavior.
Building confidence is an ongoing process. It requires me to love and be honest with myself, especially during times when life feels like it isn’t going my way
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
For the past year, I have been on a scary yet exciting journey as a business owner—something I have been concocting for 2-3 years before finally bringing it to life. With no formal education or prior experience in starting a business, I am constantly amazed by my ability to learn and develop new skills, from marketing to web development to content creation. What inspires me most is seeing the growth of small businesses and people bringing forth their talents and skills into a consumer world that was once dominated by big corporations.
Drawing from my Indian roots, I set out to create products that celebrate the simplicity of natural, nourishing ingredients inspired by Ayurveda—designed to feel good within and out. As someone who has always been sensitive to scents, I struggled for years to find a perfume that didn’t trigger migraines or leave me feeling overwhelmed. After years of mental health challenges, I experienced a revelation: I needed to purge harmful elements from my life. This led me to explore sustainable and natural products.
When I couldn’t find a natural perfume that suited me, I began experimenting with essential oils to craft the perfect scent—one that not only smelled amazing but made me feel at ease and relaxed. I immersed myself in learning, watching YouTube videos, and reading content about essential oils and solid fragrances. I became deeply passionate about crafting formulations that not only smelled amazing but were also made exclusively with vegan and cruelty-free ingredients.
The fragrance industry is notoriously unregulated and non-sustainable, with many products containing hormone-disrupting ingredients and contributing to waste through plastic and glass packaging. I dedicated significant time to finding manufacturers aligned with my vision of biodegradable packaging materials.
As I continue this journey, I am excited to grow as a business owner in creating products that people genuinely love, while prioritizing the well-being of our planet.
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?
Professionally, I am a user researcher, and I honestly believe that my background in this field saved me from feeling completely lost or struggling even more than I already did. As a user researcher, I’ve worked to enhance digital products for clients like Microsoft, Facebook, etc by identifying user pain points, analyzing competition, and helping teams develop solutions that are directly shaped by user behaviors and expectations.
When I created my product and its packaging, I approached it with the same mindset. I considered what my users would want: what scents would resonate with them, what type of packaging would be accessible—whether for people with mobility challenges, those with long nails, or someone rushing to a date. I even explored how men and women interact differently with perfumes and colognes. I dedicated significant time to understanding my users through surveys and usability testing, gathering feedback on both the product and website usability.
Research is never truly finished. As my business grows and profits increase, I plan to invest even more in research to inform the development of future products.
I believe many businesses don’t spend enough time or resources understanding their users during the conception and development phases. For me, user research is non-negotiable. The great thing about user research is that it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. While large corporations can afford to invest heavily in recruiting diverse users and employing multiple methodologies, small business owners like me can still gather meaningful insights. Even simple actions—such as asking for feedback at a café or hosting Zoom interviews and compensating participants with small incentives like Amazon gift cards—can provide invaluable insights. Any user feedback is better than no research at all.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
The name Kindrd is inspired by the concept of a kindred spirit, reflecting my vision of building connection and community. My hope for this brand is to create a sense of belonging and support. I aspire to collaborate with nonprofits and advocacy groups that champion mental health and female empowerment.
Kindrd is more than just a business selling awesome products! It’s a platform for creativity, connection, and impact. As a creator, artist, and empath, I want Kindrd to partner with inspiring individuals and organizations who share a passion for growth and purpose.
If you have ideas on how to help Kindrd grow or create meaningful collaborations, I’d love to connect and explore the possibilities together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopkindrd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopkindrd/
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