We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marie-Laur Killebrew a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Marie-Laur thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
I would have liked to have started my business earlier and differently knowing what I know now. KlassyKillebrew was started a little over 4 years ago. I was a Paparazzi Customer and my consultant, Davida Clay, asked me if would like to be a consultant. I hesitated at first but eventually I agreed and KlassyKillebrew was born! At first, I could only do it part time because I was the Pharmacy Buyer for the local hospital and I had been working at said hospital for over 25 years. I had also been widowed for over 11 years. I have a daughter and two wonderful grandchildren! I wish that I would have had more confidence in myself and tried to build a team earlier. I was going through a lot of stress and personal issues at the time. Paparazzi is a great company that encourages and the positivity has been amazing! I recently retired early from the hospital because of some PTSD issues so now I am pursuing Paparazzi full time! I wish that I was further along i my small business yet it is a dream come true for me.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am now an independent Paparazzi Consultant. I sell amazing $5 jewelry! I am on Facebook, KlassyKillebrew. I have an online store: www.KlassyKillebrew.com. I am also working on a physical store at my home. We have necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings for women. We also have a men’s line of jewelry. Paparazzi has been amazing because of how encouraging other consultants are with each other. It isn’t a competition. Paparazzi is a great way to have another stream of income that works with your schedule. It’s also like a family helping one another. I’m constantly learning new things. I also love that with KlassyKillebrew I have a way of giving back. Some of KlassyKillebrew’s profits have been used in giving back to some local charities. I also love the idea of helping people pick out pieces that make them smile at reasonable prices.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Resilience has been part of my story for a long time! I met my late husband when my daughter and his niece played softball together. I always say that God brought us together! We found out that he had Cancer a little over a year after we got married. We found hard and February 3rd, 2008 he passed away. Two years before that February 20th, 2006 my father passed. I had to figure out how to go on without them, be positive and trust God’s plan for my life. I went back to work at the hospital and a few years later God blessed my daughter and I with my Granddaughter and a few years later my Grandson.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
My most recent pivot happened on March 31st , 2023. I retired after 30 years of working at the hospital! It was considered an early retirement because I am 59. I felt that I had to because of my PTSD issues. I see a therapist weekly. I am now a Paparazzi Consultant full time. I create my own schedule and work at my own pace. It’s helping me regain my confidence and I’m really enjoying the journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.klassykillebrew.com
- Instagram: Marielaurkillebrew
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/marielaur.Killebrew and https://www.facebook.com/groups/178241822832421/?ref=share_group_link
- Other: TikTok.com/@klassykillebrew