We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kim Jurek-Valanzasca. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kim below.
Hi Kim, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
I have never thought of myself as a risk taker. However, I have started two businesses without business loans and no fall-back plan. When I started my first business, my design label. I remember feeling lots of anxiety. I had panic attacks and went to a friend who helped me work through my fears through acupuncture. I realized after a couple sessions with him that I was afraid of failing, after realizing this he asked me the question. If you fail, then what?
It became easy to see that I would want to just start again. Once I realized that this is what was making me fearful and anxiety filled, it was easier to let go and just begin the work of moving forward of being an entrepreneur and a risk taker.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I have my own design label, Alma Mia and own a retail boutique in South Minneapolis called The Fitting Room. In my boutique I feature all local up and coming brands including clothing, jewelry, handbags, hats and other accessories. I currently have over 30 independent designs housed out of The Fitting Room. I design my clothing line Alma Mia from my home studio and retail it at The Fitting Room.
Our spring fashion show EVOLVE is the finale event of FashionweekMN and will be on 4/20 at Star Bar + Bistro. This event is a fashion show and pop-up where guests can purchase items right off the runway and features the brands at The Fitting Room.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Areas of knowledge that I think have been important for me have been, connecting with designers, clients, and community organizations, understanding that new designers may need guidance and being able to provide that for their growth and producing fashion shows and pop ups that allow designers to retail and connect with our community.
I would advise anyone who is new on their journey to volunteer in the areas that interest them. We have many volunteers with our events, and I see those volunteers seeing the big picture and being able to connect the dots and learn how to be a part of the event and community and becoming leaders as well.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Well, I often feel overwhelmed. As a small business owner, of two businesses, producer of several fashion shows and pop-ups, and a mother of 3….finding my inner peace is no easy feat.
But things that I have found to work are….I surround myself with amazing people (asking them for help or advice when needed), I make lists of things to do (checking things off is remarkably helpful), I have deadlines for myself and give myself the grace to not always be perfect, or try too!
Contact Info:
- Website:thefittingroommpls.com
- Instagram: @thefittingroommpls @almamiampls @kimberlyjurek
- Facebook: @thefittingroommpls @almamiampls @kimberlyjurek
