We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Curtis Brown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Curtis, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I overcome imposter syndrome by reassuring myself that I have come far from when I started. I used to criticize and tell myself that I haven’t done enough, that I should be further along in my success than I am. All that changed when I stopped comparing myself to other businesses and focused on the journey and past goals I’ve achieved. I started to look at my business as a blessing and realized how many people wished they had the success I’ve accomplished in just a few years
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a children’s author and small business owner. My store Laugh World Kids Boutique is my first brick and mortar business that I opened during the pandemic in 2020. As you can tell, I’m definitely a risk taker. I love working with kids, but I also love fashion, so I decided to combine the two. Being from Chicago, style is a big part of the city’s identity but I also feel there are other ways to connect with kids and literacy was one of those ways. I used to make up stories as a kid and as an adult I’ve mastered the art or rhyming, so instead of going into music. I said I wanted to do something different from what was portrayed in inner city Chicago neighborhoods. My books have been featured on TV and radio and are available at many stores. They’ve been chosen for school programs. They were also chosen and placed in the Jacksonville Main Library. My kids boutique is the leading specialty store in Florida with bridge to luxury and high end luxury brands including our in-house brand Laughing Wolf. I’m currently working on my second store location and also my fourth book.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Don’t chase the money, Trust your process, Make a business plan.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When you feel overwhelmed the best thing to do is take a break. Learn to assess the problem instead of throwing fuel on it or ignoring it. Meditate, or talk with someone who has been there before.. Make a daily task list. Also, you have to learn to control what you can and be ok with what you can’t.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lwkb.shop
- Instagram: @laughworldkidsboutique, @i_lostmylaugh
- Facebook: I Lost My Laugh
- Linkedin: Curtis Brown
- Youtube: @kinglaugh327
