Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kayla Bradford. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kayla, thrilled to have you on the platform as I think our readers can really benefit from your insights and experiences. In particular, we’d love to hear about how you think about burnout, avoiding or overcoming burnout, etc.
I think as an entrepreneur, it’s inevitable to have burnout. Over the years, I have dealt with it differently. Now I choose to have my moment and to allow myself time to rest. Rest is like a forbidden word to entrepreneurs, but it is so necessary. As a graphic designer I have learned that I cannot create when I am having burnout. My mind is so tired and the more I push the less productive I am. Consequently, I now plan more, I focus more on balance, and I allow myself time to rest.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am the owner of Simmm! Simmm is a graphic design and marketing agency. I founded my business in 2019 and have been growing and expanding since. I started with simple designs on my cell phone for my sister’s business. It only took a minute for me to realize that I love creating and that I wanted to expand my abilities, so I took a class from a designer in Jamaica. I took one single class and took the rest into my own hands. I started by doing simple flyer designs and as time went on I started venturing out into printing services as well as web design. I now offer several services and hope to expand into teaching graphic design to upcoming designers and full on social media management within the next 6 months! I’m super excited about this expansion and the new clients I am encountering!
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 would say three qualities and skills that are important to have when being an entrepreneur are patience, customer service skills, and time management. Patience is so important when you’re running a business because success takes time. You have to be patient with yourself and your growth. Great things don’t happen over night so the sooner you learn to enjoy the journey the easier the journey will be. Of course when you are dealing with customers you must have great customer service. Sometimes this is hard because of personal issues that may be going on, but to maintain your business’s integrity it’s necessary. Professionalism can get you through so many doors! Last but certainly not least I will have to say time management. I think time management is probably the most important skill to have, at least it is for me. I wear many hats by having a career as well as a being an entrepreneur so managing my time is the oil to the engine of being successful in both. Along with time management comes balance and that’s something that i have learned through time, trail, and error. The advice I would give others starting their journey is give yourself grace! You’re running a race you’ve never ran before, it’s okay to trip and fall as long as you get back up!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am always looking to collaborate! I would love to collaborate with photographers and entrepreneurs. There’s so many endless opportunities with collaborations with photographers as a graphic designer as we are always needing new images! I enjoy working with all types of entrepreneurs in different industries. Estheticians, Hair stylist, Cleaners, Skin Care Brands, Chefs! If you can name it I want to work with you! Connect with me on Instagram at sheisme_mm on Facebook at Simmm, my website www.simmm.co or via email at ccontact@sheismemm.com!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.simmm.co
- Instagram:simmm_co | sheis_kay
- Facebook: Simmm | Kayla Bradford
- Youtube: Simmm
- Tiktok:simmm_co | kshaune__
Image Credits
Maria Jones | www.sniperslenz321.com
