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Founder@ Interview
With Kelisha Mills
Credits @ Kyle Archibald
“My one piece of advice is to THINK BIG. There is no room for playing small in the arena of business.” – Kelisha Mills
Today we feature Kelisha Mills, the founder at Mompreneur Solutions LLC. We hear their story in their own words, their successes, their challenges and their insights.
Let’s start by getting to know you. Can you please tell us a little bit about you and what you do?
I am a wife, mom of 4 and an entrepreneur for over 15 years. I represent a community of Caribbean Women making a global impact through their business and their lifestyle. My message is spread through curated luxury events, retreats and experiences and the many stages upon which I speak.
A great introduction and start to this interview. Can you please tell us, how did you start, from what age, and what made you decide to change direction and start?
My entrepreneurial journey started at the age of 8 when I sold handmade wool hair accessories for girls to persons in my village. When I was 25, after the death of my mother, I moved to Tobago. She had diabetes and died of kidney failure. Throughout her 2-year illness, I was determined to create a better life for myself and my growing family. My husband and I started our own business. It was a franchise that offered high end office furniture, equipment and stationery.
Thank you for that insight. So can you tell us…What does your business do and where is your company based?
I have a few businesses. I work with my husband in our Procurement business where we source and supply general items for the Government here in Trinidad & Tobago. We also have a Hospitality and Tourism business where we provide Property Management, Villa Accommodation and curated events for tourists and locals. On my own, I offered Business Coaching to mom entrepreneurs from 2015 to 2019. It was during the pandemic where I saw the need to apply my 15 years of procurement experience on an international level. The way of business changed during the pandemic.
I was able to register my company, Mompreneur Solutions LLC in the US. I started offering my services to the Government, and within 6 months was contracting for different agencies. With this experience and drive, I grew my community of mom and women entrepreneurs, showing them that so many opportunities are available to you if you plan properly and execute. My proof is the fact that I am doing it and I have done it as a multiple business owner in multiple countries. My passion project for women entrepreneurs is growing by curating luxury events, retreats and experiences and the many stages upon which I speak.
What’s the story behind your success? What led to your aha moment? how did you get to where you are now?
I had lost my business because of the recession of 2009. The government was no longer buying from us in their usual quantities. Our cash flow suffered as a result. My aha moment came on my 35th birthday in 2015. I was no longer in control of my financial future. I could not even buy an ice cream for myself. That was when I made the decision to never be in the same position ever again. I set a goal that by the same time one year later, I would be in an advantageous position over my finances. I created a detailed plan and became laser focused on the goal. I also had to increase belief in myself and my abilities.
Within six months, we were able to move into our own space again. I received lots of help when I released the shame of my situation and let others know what was happening. I had isolated my family and friends because I was embarrassed. When I started to share my story and journey, I received so much support, especially from other women. I also applied for grants to help me to get the equipment I needed to grow. I was successful in each application because I had a clear plan. This goes to show that help and support is available if we are open to it.
Thank you for sharing that. What’s been your life’s biggest lesson so far?
Yes, entrepreneurship can seem like a roller coaster ride. One major challenge was like a two-edged sword: Funding. We were able to secure funding early on in our business. However, I believe the bank saw an opportunity to take advantage of new entrepreneurs who did not have the experience or now-how in financing deals. We were offered a high value loan that covered our security which was our property. We were constantly offered re-financing options that made it more difficult for us to repay.
We felt like we were becoming an enemy of the bank. I would encourage anyone to seek advice to ensure you can pay your debt for at least 6 months prior to signing an deal. We eventually lost our land and had a balance to still pay the bank. That was definitely my biggest lesson so far, which hurt really badly. You would think that banks are there to help. Please be very cautious. If I had to approach the same situation again, I would hire a lawyer to review the deal, as well as have a detailed cash flow and business plan to see if the deal is worth getting into in the first place.
I wish I knew that there are tools available to new business owners.
Credits @ Kyle Archibald
If you were to go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to know and trust that every problem has a solution, and that you have to look for that solution with strategic thinking, support from others who have been through a similar situation and to not let emotion overwhelm you in business. In my low days when the business closed down, I was sure that every decision I made was wrong. I was so ashamed and in a low place. I thought it was going to be like that forever because this period spanned for 3-4 years. I could not take the sight of my children asking me for basic things and I could not provide it for them.
Afterall, they never asked to be placed in that position. They expect food, shelter and an education. Though they had that, it felt too much like they were being stifled and it was at a low level. Now, after 6 years, I can see how life has changed. I can see that it was a learning experience for them as well. They went through it with us. They know first hand that life has ups and downs. Nothing ever goes as planned, but if you plan properly, there will always be a way out. They have also seen us come out of the challenge on top. I believe they have a greater appreciation for hard work and diligence.
We’re nearly halfway through our interview so it’s a great time to ask how does your business run. What three tools make your business run better?
Three tools that make my business run better are: 1. My Phone – I’m always on the go; travelling, commuting, working. I would not be able to keep up with emails, notes, reminders and calls without my phone. I still run all of these on my iPhone 8. It has been with me through the years. Hey, if it ain’t broke, right? 2. Mailtrack – This is a free resource that syncs with my Gmail accounts. It’s Free and unlimited tracking for Gmail. Mailtrack is a personal email marketing tool with Campaigns, Mail Merge and PDF document tracking from Gmail. My favorite features are: ✓ Free and Unlimited email tracking: Track as many emails as you like. ✓Track group emails individually: know exactly who opened your email ✓ Follow-up email alerts: when not opened, not replied, opened very much… ✓ Link tracking: know when someone clicks on the links in your mails. ✓ Campaigns: personal email marketing tool. Send individually tracked emails to up to 1,000 recipients at a time in combination with Mail Merge. 3. Quickbooks Online – There is now way I could run my business without a robust and easy accounting software. It helps me to know what invoices are outstanding and gives me a forecast on future business cash flow trends.
What do you know now that you wished you had known before?
I wish I knew that there are tools available to new business owners.
What has been your greatest or proudest achievement or moment?
My proudest achievement thus far has been the execution of my first event called the Ultimate Mompreneur Brunch. I saw support from my network that gave me a boost and confirmation that I am on the right track.
What future life goals do you want to achieve and why?
I want to grow my signature event to empower women in places as far as the Middle East, Dubai, the UK, Australia and Africa.
To finish our inspire questions…”We believe that sharing inspiring words can inspire others.” If there was one positive thing you would say to someone to inspire and empower them what would it be and why?
My one piece of advice is to THINK BIG. There is no room for playing small in the arena of business.
“Thank you it has been great learning more about your founder story and Mompreneur Solutions LLC”
To learn more about Mompreneur Solutions LLC Visit www.kelishamills.com
Find on social media @
@mills_kelisha @mills_kelisha @kelisha_mills
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