We were lucky to catch up with KB Vega recently and have shared our conversation below.
KB, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
I’ve learned over the years that self-care is soooooo important to be the best at what you do. Think about it…..you’re an entrepreneur and are ALWAYS working on your business 24/7. You literally BECOME your business, which is great but at the same time, you constantly can’t go full speed and always expect good results. It’s literally impossible. Eventually, it will take a toll on you. So, it’s very important for you to take some time out for yourself. For instance, what I like to do for my self-care as part of my weekly routine, is go on long walks to clear my mind, go out with my friends/husband to have some fun, go get a massage or mani and pedi to relax and be pampered, or take myself out on a date to the movies or dinner just to unwind. Anything that doesn’t make me think of work for a lil bit. What I’ve noticed when I do do these things for myself on a weekly basis, is that I am more creative, energized, and motivated to accomplish the task at hand, which essentially, is my business. Practicing self-care is important to me because it allows my creative juices to flow better by giving my mind and body the rest they need to do so.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hey everyone! I’m KB Vega and I own a FEEL GOOD clothing and lifestyle brand called InspiHER Empire. My company focuses on inspiring and uplifting queens to be the best versions of themselves through self-love, body positivity, and confidence. These are some of the things that I struggled with when I was younger, so helping women overcome these issues by feeling good about themselves is key to my company’s overall mission. I am a one-woman show….that is, I AM my business lol. I’m the designer, the marketer, the content creator, the photographer…..you name it; that’s me. I create products that I love to wear and use myself and take pride in the quality and design of what my brand represents. Each piece designed tells a mini-story that is personal to me so that when my customer wears/uses it, they also become part of that story. That’s why we are called an Empire. Everyone who purchases from us becomes a part of our story, our brand, and our mission. Like a growing sisterhood that supports and empowers each other. That’s what we’re all about. Constantly growing, evolving, and inspiring.
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?
For me, I love being creative….with my writing, my designs, and my love for fashion. And when I intertwine all three, that’s when my products come to life. I love telling a story with my pieces, either that I design digitally and/or custom-make along with writing content for each product. I think I have a good sense of style and I believe I’m an okay writer (to some extent) lol. Being a fashion junkie for many years, I think, made it a little easier for me to project what I want to design. But I know there’s always room to grow and become better at what I do, so learning as much as I can is a constant skill I am trying to perfect.
Best advice I can give for someone just starting out is whatever you do, keep going, and don’t give up on your passion!! Be open-minded and learn as much as you can so that your creative inspiration constantly flows. When I started, I had an idea and I knew what it looked like in my head, but I had no clue as to how to execute it. I learned the ‘basics’ of building an online company so that I could start with something. I am a perfectionist and I kept ‘stalling’ on launching my online store because it didn’t look ‘perfect’ to me. What I quickly found out, was that I just had to go for it and that I could tweak, and perfect it along the way. You gotta take the risk to see the outcome, right?!? So, you just gotta go for it!
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The first self-love/self-worth book I picked up a few years ago was called ‘Radical Self-Love’ by Gala Darling. I specifically was drawn to the title, because, at the time, I was at a crossroads in my life. I quit my corporate job without a plan in place (btw, best impulsive decision I ever made), and didn’t know where or how to begin on my entrepreneurial journey. I knew I wanted to help and inspire people by starting my own company that would embody that goal, as well as incorporate my love for fashion. I needed some guidance, so I decided to pick up this book and give it a read. Within the first chapter, I was hooked. The author had gone through similar struggles that I went through as a young adult, so the read was very relatable. With affirmations, exercises, and ‘homework’ at the end of each chapter, the author fully engages the reader to love themselves completely and fully and to quit the self-sabotage and self-loathing once and for all. One thing I gained after reading ‘Radical Self Love’ was a newfound confidence that allowed me to start my own blog which then turned into my business. I love this book so much, that not only have I read it several times, but have given it to family and friends as a gift with hopes that it would help them as much as it did for me. If you haven’t read it, you are missing out and need to pick it up ASAP!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inspiherempire.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/inspiherempire
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/inspiherempire
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kb-vega-01b933235/
- Threads: @[email protected]
Image Credits
Anthony Vega–my husband & business photographer
