We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rebekah Kamauu. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rebekah below.
Rebekah, 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.
Imposter syndrome is such a fickle foe—isn’t it? The dictionary defines it as a “persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved.” Not just a flickering moment of doubt but a continuous, unyielding thought that our success is not our own, though every indication points otherwise. With that persistence, I don’t think one ever overcomes it; however, I believe you can transform it. I have struggled with imposter syndrome even as I have built my bakery, increased revenue in my business, and strengthened my social media presence. Yet, with all of that, that nagging negative voice will fill my thoughts with doubt. When that happens, I will pause, allowing myself to understand what triggers those negative feelings, and then utilize those thoughts and turn them into lists. I will write out the bad, give it some thought, and then counter it with a positive. In this exercise, I can have better self-awareness of what is causing my doubt and reinforce the positive of what I am doing and how those items are successful. Turning the negative into a positive through action effectively transforms imposter syndrome’s persistent narrative into a positive outcome.
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?
My name is Rebekah Kamauu, and I own a home bakery specializing in custom-decorated sugar cookies in Orange County, California. I fell in love with sugar cookies eight years ago as I was searching for a creative outlet while juggling my career in clinical research, motherhood—all the things. I decorated my first cookie, a penguin, and absolutely loved learning about the process—the baking, making royal icing, mixing various colors, learning to decorate. That passion developed into a business that continues to grow and thrive today. My home bakery offers custom cookies for all occasions, an online storefront that sells tools, mixes, virtual classes, and public and private cookie decorating classes for all ages. I’m incredibly grateful for the many opportunities given to me these past years and the continuous support through it all.
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?
The three qualities that continue to help me in my personal journey are tenacity, the power of ‘no,’ and the impact of failure. Tenacity is a powerful tool, especially for an entrepreneur. As you develop and persist in your ever-changing and growing business, you must have a ‘never give up’ attitude. That grit will drive you through all the blockades, redirects, and plot twists that develop. A strong work ethic and persistence will create a solid foundation on which you can always depend. Saying ‘no’ was one of the most challenging traits to learn as I grew my home bakery. Especially in the early days, I never wanted to turn down any orders or requests. I wanted to take them all, but on the flip side, a few years into my bakery, I was getting burned out. I hardly slept as I juggled my business, motherhood, and life. Creating boundaries within my business and learning how to say no saved me from burning out and closing my bakery and created balance.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
From a young age, my parents helped develop my work ethic. I was the youngest of five children in a military household, and we each were responsible for specific weekly tasks and chores that rotated weekly. We weren’t paid an allowance; it was simply part of our daily and weekly lives. My mom always had extra chores we could earn money from as well. With that, they also taught us the importance of savings and spending. Even at a young age, we set aside percentages of our earnings into college and savings accounts, and the rest was ours to spend how we’d like. Finally, my parents taught us the importance of service, working on different projects around our communities, like helping a friend move, volunteering at a food bank, or mowing a neighbor’s lawn. All of these attributes helped me become who I am today, and I’m incredibly grateful for their foresight and guidance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecookiecurator.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/cookiecurator?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecookiecurator
Image Credits
Melissa Thomson
