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As a part of the Morning Lazziness collection about empowering ladies who encourage and do unimaginable issues with their concepts in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ana Bello-Elliott.
Ana Bello-Elliott is the founding father of Kynd Alchemy, a clear, unscented private care model created for individuals with perfume sensitivities. With a background in UX analysis, and a ardour for transparency, she’s constructing considerate options for neglected wants—one product at a time.
What impressed you to turn out to be an entrepreneur, and what led to the creation of your present enterprise?
For over a decade, I labored in company environments and by no means noticed myself as somebody who may take the leap into entrepreneurship. I valued stability, a gentle paycheck, and the sense of safety that got here with a full-time job. Or no less than, I assumed I did—till I used to be laid off throughout parental depart. I didn’t even get a telephone name, simply an e mail. That second was a wake-up name. The safety I had clung to was by no means actual.
On the similar time, I used to be deeply burned out. Years within the tech world had taken their toll, and I had grown bored with environments the place efficiency was typically rewarded for the unsuitable causes. I knew I needed one thing completely different—one thing significant. That’s once I determined to forge my very own path and construct one thing that aligned with my values and served an actual want.
As a girl in enterprise, what distinctive challenges have you ever encountered, and the way did you navigate them?
Coming from the tech world, I used to be no stranger to being a girl in an area dominated by males. I used to be typically funneled into the “much less technical” roles, no matter my curiosity or potential in additional technical areas. It was irritating—and sadly widespread—to really feel like I needed to show myself simply to be taken critically.
Even now as an entrepreneur, I typically really feel that there’s a specific persona individuals anticipate—assured, polished, all the time ‘on.’ However being a girl in enterprise comes with a distinct type of stress. It will possibly really feel such as you’re strolling a tightrope between being assertive and being likable, being daring and being “an excessive amount of.” I’ve discovered to navigate that by leaning into my very own voice and selecting to construct a enterprise that displays my values, not simply the standard picture of success.
How do you deal with the calls for of operating a enterprise whereas sustaining your private well-being and life stability?
It’s positively a problem. After I labored a conventional 9–5 within the company world, I used to be very protecting of my time outdoors of labor—particularly after burning out from lengthy hours earlier in my profession. Now that I work for myself, I’ve extra flexibility, which implies I can do issues like grocery store through the week or spend extra time with my household. Nevertheless it additionally means the boundaries between work and relaxation can blur.
There are days when I’ve to pause and ask myself, “Am I in the appropriate headspace to do that at this time?” I attempt to be aware of once I want a break or when it’s time to simply do one thing enjoyable. It’s simple to get caught up in wanting to provide every part to the enterprise—however I’ve discovered that defending my well-being is a part of what retains the enterprise sustainable.
What networking methods or communities have helped you construct significant and helpful skilled connections?
Being a founder could be a lonely expertise, so I’ve discovered to be intentional about discovering and nurturing neighborhood. I’m a part of a number of teams the place entrepreneurs in related fields can overtly share challenges, concepts, and help. Some are particularly for ladies. That type of camaraderie is invaluable.
I’ve additionally gotten extra concerned in organizing networking occasions—it pushes me to attach with others in a significant method, even when it takes additional effort. I’ve constructed nice relationships by reaching out to different professionals on LinkedIn, typically over shared pursuits or mutual curiosity. I by no means method networking with a “what can I get from this?” mindset. I lead with real curiosity, and I attempt to be useful the place I can. That’s what makes the connections stick.
How do you method mentorship—each as somebody who seeks steering and as somebody who affords it—and the way has this formed your development as an entrepreneur?
Mentorship is actually vital to me. I do know what it feels prefer to be on the opposite facet—seeking to make a profession change, making an attempt to pivot, or simply needing somebody to speak issues by way of with. Through the years, I’ve informally mentored many individuals, and it’s all the time extremely rewarding to see them succeed and develop in their very own paths.
After I began my entrepreneurial journey, I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I sought out mentorship by way of packages like SBDC and SCORE, and I additionally leaned on different enterprise house owners who had been a couple of steps forward of me. These conversations helped me perceive what to anticipate, gave me a clearer sense of my choices, and supplied a much-needed sounding board. Having that help has formed how I make selections and jogged my memory of the worth in passing that help ahead.
What methods have been simplest in buying and retaining your clients or shoppers?
This has truthfully been one of many hardest components of proudly owning a enterprise. You must put on so many hats—and I needed to shortly learn to deal with gross sales, advertising and marketing, and even push by way of the discomfort of placing myself on the market on social media, particularly in entrance of my skilled community.
For me, the inspiration of constructing belief with clients is transparency. I consider in setting clear expectations, having sincere conversations, and all the time under-promising and over-delivering. That’s how I’ve constructed relationships that final.
With my private care firm, Kynd Alchemy, I’m dedicated to radical transparency—whether or not it’s about components, sourcing, or what a product truly does. Folks need to know precisely what they’re getting. I consider that once you’re upfront and considerate, belief follows—and belief is what retains clients coming again.
I’m additionally deeply grounded in buyer suggestions—it’s certainly one of my core tenets, particularly as somebody who started her entrepreneurial journey by operating a person expertise analysis consultancy. Listening to clients, testing assumptions, and adapting based mostly on actual enter isn’t simply good enterprise—it’s the inspiration for making one thing individuals truly need.
Which advertising and marketing methods have labored finest for your small business, and the way do you observe or consider their success?
You actually have to seek out what works for your enterprise. For my consultancy, which is business-to-business, LinkedIn has been important. I deal with my profile virtually like a touchdown web page—it’s the place potential shoppers typically get their first impression of my work, and it’s been an efficient house to construct credibility and spark conversations.
With Kynd Alchemy, I’m nonetheless within the early phases of determining what resonates most. However I do know there are passionate, engaged communities of people who find themselves actively in search of fragrance-free and unscented merchandise as a consequence of well being points. For them, it’s not only a desire—it’s a non-negotiable. My purpose is to fulfill them the place they’re, hear intently, and experiment to see what sort of messaging, content material, or outreach really connects.
Success, to me, isn’t nearly numbers—it’s about engagement, suggestions, and constructing belief over time.
Are you able to share a big setback or impediment in your entrepreneurial journey and the steps you took to beat it?
There’s all the time one thing. The entrepreneurial journey is stuffed with classes—and a few of them come wrapped in setbacks. Along with operating my consultancy, I began a dropshipping enterprise. I discovered a ton—from gross sales and advertising and marketing to sourcing and customer support—however I additionally realized how extremely saturated that market is. Over time, I noticed that my time and power could be higher spent fixing a extra tangible, underserved drawback.
That realization is what led me to construct Kynd Alchemy. As somebody with a number of chemical sensitivities, I do know firsthand how laborious it’s to seek out unscented, really fragrance-free merchandise which might be secure to make use of. This isn’t only a area of interest—it’s an actual and ongoing problem for lots of people. Whereas I don’t remorse launching the dropshipping enterprise, it helped me make clear what sort of affect I need to make and the type of enterprise I need to construct.
What’s one key piece of recommendation you’d give to ladies simply beginning their entrepreneurial journey?
Go for it. Don’t let worry be the rationale you maintain again. You gained’t remorse making the leap—even when issues don’t go as deliberate, you’ll study and develop in methods you may’t but think about. Simply be sincere with your self about what you’re moving into and the way a lot of your self you may realistically give.
Make a plan for a way you’ll maintain your self, whether or not meaning slicing again on bills, saving up, or beginning one thing on the facet. Be intentional—however don’t anticipate excellent circumstances. You’ll remorse not making an attempt excess of you’ll remorse making an attempt.
Outline the life you need to reside, then work towards it piece by piece. It’d really feel unattainable at instances, however there are such a lot of assets, and so many communities of girls rooting so that you can succeed. You’re not alone on this.
Is there a quote, mantra, or private philosophy that guides your decision-making as a founder or chief?
A buddy as soon as advised me, “Faux it until you make it.” I’ll admit—I’m not nice at that. Impostor syndrome is actual. However what I am good at is diving in, studying as I am going, and giving one thing my full effort. I don’t let not understanding cease me from beginning.
My household additionally retains me grounded. Turning into a mom gave me an entire new perspective and an unimaginable quantity of braveness. Every part I do is with my son and my household in thoughts—how I can set them up for achievement, and mannequin what it seems prefer to take dangers for one thing you consider in.
What Are The 5 Issues You Want To Overcome Self-Doubt and Construct Confidence?
1. Take an opportunity on your self.
It’s possible you’ll not consider you might have what it takes—however you do. If another person can do it, why can’t you? That mindset shift is what allowed me to take my first actual step into entrepreneurship, even once I didn’t really feel 100% prepared.
2. Encompass your self with individuals who consider in you.
I’ve been advised greater than as soon as that I wouldn’t be good at one thing—however I stored leaning into the issues I felt pulled towards. Perception is contagious—borrow it from others till it turns into your individual.
3. Begin small and keep constant.
Self-doubt typically comes from feeling overwhelmed by the massive image. However you don’t need to deal with every part directly. Write your concept down. Take one small step day-after-day. You’d be shocked what you may construct with consistency.
4. Handle your self.
You’ll be able to’t pour from an empty cup. Remedy, trusted conversations, boundaries, relaxation—it’s all vital. You might be irreplaceable to the individuals in your life and to your small business.
5. Lead with kindness, even on the laborious days.
Reacting with kindness—not out of weak spot, however from energy—grounds me. We’re all half of a bigger neighborhood, and the way we present up issues.
You’re a individual of nice affect. Should you may encourage a motion that may carry probably the most quantity of excellent for the best variety of individuals, what would that be?
There’s a lot good we may do on the earth if we had the appropriate techniques and help in place for everybody. But when I may encourage one motion, it will be to carry visibility, dignity, and options to individuals dwelling with a number of chemical sensitivities and perfume allergic reactions.
This neighborhood is usually neglected. Merchandise that meet their wants are laborious to seek out, and so they’re not often prioritized in mainstream magnificence or wellness areas. However for these dwelling with perfume sensitivities, publicity isn’t simply disagreeable—it may be the distinction between having a practical day or a debilitating one.
It’s a tough factor to clarify. It may be isolating, awkward, and misunderstood. I need to change that. I need to carry this problem to mild and assist create a world the place individuals with sensitivities aren’t an afterthought—however are seen, supported, and revered.
How can our readers additional observe your work on-line?
I’m at present constructing my on-line presence for Kynd Alchemy, however within the meantime, you’ll find my consulting work at Bello Insights Lab.
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