We recently connected with Amari Clements and have shared our conversation below.

Amari, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Before I knew what happened or why, 10 months had passed and becoming an entrepreneur was no longer a top priority. It was on a random day during this time that an email from Realize Bradenton about their free 9-week business planning course landed in my inbox.

Taking part in the Start-Up Circle became a pivotal decision. It was an opportunity not just to learn the fundamentals of business but to meet local business owners and rekindle the spark that I initially had.

Before the course was over I was working on the website and social media accounts and creating a 90-day roadmap, but fear kept interfering with my progress. I had so many excuses that caused me to doubt myself. I wanted my launch to be perfect, and if it couldn’t be, I felt there was no reason to move forward.

Less than two months after we graduated I met up with one of my Start-Up circle classmates, Melissa McLin. From the very beginning she supported my business idea and was always available to offer advice. As I churned out more and more excuses, she literally responded with, “Just start”. 2 simple words. I’ve repeated those words to myself countless times, yet, for some inexplicable reason, it wasn’t until she said them that I felt inclined to take action.

When I got home I published my website and started boosting ads on Instagram and Facebook. 2 weeks later I had my first order from a Facebook ad.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I grew up in metro Atlanta and lived there all my life until 2019 when I took a leap across continents to Australia, craving fresh experiences and a change of scenery. Eighteen months later, I found myself back in the States, but this time in Florida. As for what the future holds—well, it’s anyone’s guess. Outside of work, I’d say my personal life is quite mellow. I find joy in volunteering, immersing myself in books, and exploring the world.

Knomi Kado, which is pronounced no me kuh doe, is a surprise gift concierge. Whether you’re looking to purchase a gift for yourself or a loved one, you can hire us as your personal gift curator.

We shop from 7 categories and no two gift boxes are alike: Travel, Fitness, Home Décor, Office Décor, Skin & Beauty, One Size Fits All Accessories, and Books & Stationery.

Based on your completed shopping questionnaire we curate a gift box that reflects your individuality and brings a genuine sense of delight. We don’t let you pick the items or approve them beforehand, which is what creates that surprise element, allowing the gift recipient to experience joy, excitement, and appreciation upon opening their gift.

Know that Knomi Kado isn’t bound by subscriptions; we’re here whenever you need us. We also extend our services beyond individual gifts to corporate needs, party favors, realtor closing gifts, etc.

What sets Knomi Kado apart is our commitment to creating memories. We believe that gift-giving is an art, a way to express emotions and celebrate life’s moments. And the reviews we’ve received have reaffirmed that we’re on the right path. People we don’t know entrust us to shop for them or on their behalf. That’s not something we’re going to take for granted. At its core, Knomi Kado was founded to spread happiness, ensuring that every gift, whether to yourself or from someone else, leaves you feeling appreciated and cherished.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

As a gift concierge, I predicted the bulk of my revenue would be generated around Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Christmas. I didn’t publish my website until the first week of February, so my focus was on marketing for Mother’s Day. Although I had just launched a new business and I wasn’t already an influencer with a substantial following, I somehow surmised that I could get at least a dozen orders.

I felt confident in my abilities to market Knomi Kado. I sent introduction emails, crafted social media content using adorable videos of mothers I know personally, invested considerable funds in boosting posts, and fine-tuned the SEO on my website. I also attended networking events, and made a point to talk to at least one new person a week. My reporting dashboard was showing thousands of impressions! I was astounded, convinced that orders were on the way.

Mother’s Day came and went, and I didn’t get a single conversion from any of my posts. It was a humbling moment.

Although it’s cliché, I had to unlearn how I define success. The hardest thing about being an entrepreneur is figuring out your place. Other people have accomplished the very goals I’m currently pursuing, so that reaffirms they’re achievable. However, when my outcomes don’t mirror or surpass theirs, it becomes difficult to comprehend. Now, I accept that my path is unique and that as long as I’m still in business it’s successful.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My very first job post graduation was as a search engine marketing analyst. Over time, it became evident that the organizational structure was going to remain unstable and advancement opportunities were nonexistent. Initially, the decision to quit was daunting. Although my job had started affecting my mental health, I knew how important it was to have a stable income to pay my mortgage.

It took me a while to finally resign, but when I did I was overjoyed. I enjoyed not sitting in a cubicle, sleeping in, avoiding traffic, and goodbye meetings about meetings. My mood was definitely improving. I figured i’d be out of work a few months before I landed in a role better suited for my talents, and I intended to enjoy my free time and pick up some new hobbies.

I was naive. Around the second month of unemployment I started experiencing depression and self-doubt. Each rejection or lack of response to job applications only intensified my sense of worthlessness. I couldn’t sleep because my mind was always running, so much for improving my mental health.

I ended up being unemployed for 7 months before I landed a job as an email marketer. I’m still in email marketing today, and I’ve also found myself unemployed four more times in the course of my career. I’ve handled it better each and every time because now I truly see it as a time for self-reflection, learning, and re-evaluating your life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.knomikado.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/knomikado
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/knomikado
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@knomikado

Image Credits
Lauren Clark