We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ovando Leslie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ovando below.

Ovando , appreciate you joining us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today

If I had to start over, I would leave university halfway through, find a mentor, and dive straight into building a business. Entrepreneurship has taught me that while everyone’s journey is unique, the path to success often follows the same pattern, you have to embrace failure, sometimes failing hard, before experiencing true success. The earlier you start your journey the better.

Ovando , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started this business at what many would consider the worst possible time; January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. My initial goal was to create something fun and impactful for the younger generation, but as soon as we launched our first version of advertising backpacks, we discovered a strong demand from small business owners, especially those in service based industries. That’s when I decided to shift our focus entirely.

Like many businesses, we were forced to pause during the pandemic, but in 2022 we relaunched with a clear mission: to help small business owners stand out and raise awareness of their services in a way that directly connects them to their local audience.

Back in the day (I’m not that old lol), if you offered a service, everyone in your town or neighborhood knew you for it. Nowadays, social media dominates attention, but many service based providers forget they’re walking past potential clients every day. Our advertising backpacks were designed to change that, to make you visible and unforgettable in your own area.

One of my biggest principles in business is creating something of real value and doing it differently. I’ve never been interested in simply replicating what’s already out there. I’m always asking myself, “How can I make this better? How can I make it unique?”

Since our relaunch, we’ve released two new versions of our advertising backpacks, with our most recent model the Limelite X1 being a true game changer.
This is our first LCD display advertising backpack, crafted from genuine leather, featuring dual built-in speakers, and capable of showcasing both images and videos.

What sets it apart isn’t just the design, but the opportunity it creates: you don’t need to own a business to use it. The Limelite X1 allows anyone to become a walking billboard, advertising for others and creating their own stream of income.

This is what I’m most proud of! Building a product that not only elevates small businesses but also empowers everyday people to generate income and take control of their financial future. Limelite is more than a product; it’s a tool for visibility, opportunity, and independence.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

The initial investment for my business came directly from my savings from my very first job as a bellman. I put $10,000 into bringing the business to life, covering inventory and other startup expenses. As a solopreneur, I’ve learned how crucial it is to maintain a corporate career while building your business, it not only provides stability but also the capital needed to grow. Over the years, as I scaled my business, I focused on building a strong credit profile and strategically leveraging my income outside the business to secure additional funding and keep moving forward.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I’ve always had the desire to create something meaningful, something I would one day be known for. Early on, I realized that building a strong brand was the key to achieving this vision. A product can come and go, but a brand lives in people’s minds and creates a lasting connection.

One of the most important lessons I learned was the need to have direct access to my customers even after the sale. I didn’t want my business to rely on third-party platforms where I had little control over the customer relationship. That’s why I made the decision to build and sell through my own website.

Platforms like Amazon and other marketplaces are amazing if you already have a well-established brand or if your goal is simply to move products. However, I wanted more than just sales, I wanted to create a community around my brand, learn from my customers, and build loyalty. Owning my sales channel through my website allowed me to collect feedback, create a personalized experience, and retain control over how my brand is represented.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Mylimelite.com
• Instagram: @Mylimelite
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1UvNSHZC2N/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ovando-leslie-seyevandi?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: @Mylimelite1