We were lucky to catch up with Kate Kingsley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kate , 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?
This is a deeply personal topic for me, but I believe it’s important to share for anyone who may be going through the same struggles I have. I’ve battled imposter syndrome in many areas of my life, and to this day, I still face it from time to time. For the longest time, I believed there were always others who were more qualified, more suited, or simply better than me. This mindset held me back in so many ways.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to be part of a team selected from tens of thousands of applicants. Even though I was one of the few chosen, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I didn’t belong—that somehow, I wasn’t good enough to stand beside the other incredible people on that team. This belief impacted my performance, and it was obvious. It wasn’t until that team of supportive individuals told me, over and over, that I belonged and that I was selected for a reason, that I began to challenge this mindset. If they believed in me, why couldn’t I?
Over the past few years, I’ve worked hard to shift my perspective. I remind myself daily that I need to be both my biggest supporter and my most constructive critic. It’s a constant effort to build confidence in myself and my abilities, but I’ve learned to own my strengths while admitting when I’m wrong or still have things to learn. Believing in myself is a journey, but it’s one I’m committed to.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I founded Maple Meal Prep just over a year ago, and without a doubt, it’s my proudest accomplishment to date. I never envisioned myself as a business owner—let alone an entrepreneur. In fact, I actively resisted the idea. I wanted a simpler life, with a good work-life balance and enough financial freedom to enjoy my time.
But perhaps that’s exactly why I’m so proud of Maple Meal Prep. It wasn’t built from a desire to be something, but from my passion for something. I love everything I do with my company, and I’m always looking ahead for the next opportunity to serve my clients better. Right now, that means creating locally curated and prepped cooking boxes. My goal is to make Maple Meal Prep the go-to destination for all food-related needs in the Carolinas. I want to showcase incredible local farmers, collaborate with other amazing business owners, and provide exceptional service to everyone we serve.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
My advice, and the top three skills or areas of knowledge I consider essential, go hand in hand:
Surround yourself with people who lift you up. It’s crucial to have a support system that celebrates your successes and stands by you during failures. I’m incredibly fortunate to have friends, family, and most importantly, a husband who has been with me every step of the way. Without their support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Perfection is unattainable. You’ll never get every idea or aspect of your business absolutely perfect before launching or making changes. Just take action and adjust as you go. If you wait for perfection, you’ll never get started.
It’s okay to say no. You can’t do it all, and that’s okay. Learning to say no to things that don’t benefit you or your business is a powerful skill. The sooner you embrace this, the sooner you can focus on the opportunities you truly want to say yes to.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
Right now, I’m navigating where to focus my time and energy. Maple Meal Prep has grown to a point where it demands almost all of my attention and dedication. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but I know the key is to keep looking ahead—toward future expansion and the next big opportunity. I constantly remind myself that growth is everything, and even in the busiest moments, I make it a priority to invest time in pushing the business forward. After all, it’s the vision of what’s possible that drives true success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maplemealprep.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maplemealprep?igsh=MWxtMDB3cDNiaDZreg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maplemealprep
Image Credits
Marina Cohen
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
