Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ciara Kleva. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Ciara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Success, from my perspective, is a rich and multifaceted concept that encompasses not only an individual’s skills and talents but also a unique blend of determination, a commitment to continuous learning, and unwavering resilience. It’s about embracing unconventional approaches – often associated with taking calculated risks – that set you apart from the crowd. In the process, it becomes evident that the notion of ‘job security’ is more a myth than a reality.

Allow me to share a compelling personal story that epitomizes this principle. Roughly six years ago, my husband and business partner, Steve, and I embarked on a challenging journey when we were just newlyweds. At that time, I was grappling with unemployment, hindered by an online past that haunted my professional prospects. Steve, on the other hand, was working full-time, and we were navigating financial constraints. Our turning point came when we unearthed a seemingly forgotten invention he’d crafted on a whim, years before our paths crossed. Covered in rust and resembling a relic of farming equipment, he had made a few revisions ‘just for fun.’

It was during a conversation where I encouraged him to either launch the product or put it to rest that our entrepreneurial journey truly began. Within one week, I created a website, and together, we launched a pre-order campaign, which astonishingly sold out. This marked the inception of our thriving business today. It’s essential to note that we had no financial backing, no savings account, and minimal external support. We used the proceeds from our pre-order to fulfill our initial orders, and from there, we’ve been taking one substantial step at a time.

Our journey has been marked by numerous obstacles and failures, moments when success seemed to slip through our grasp. Instead of allowing these setbacks to deter us, we viewed them as invaluable opportunities for growth and learning. The key to our success, in large part, has been our willingness to pivot when necessary. This has meant setting boundaries with relationships that were unhealthy, prioritizing rest over succumbing to the ‘hustle culture’ pressure, and placing a premium on continuous learning over egotistical ‘mastermind’ mentality.

Through unwavering perseverance and diligent effort, we’ve been able to turn our vision of success into reality. This experience has reinforced my belief that success is not solely a pursuit of financial wealth, personal talent, or relentless toil. Rather, it’s about our capacity to adapt, glean wisdom from failure, and demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity. Importantly, we’ve witnessed firsthand the unparalleled value of having the freedom to shape our schedules and savor the wealth of time at our disposal.

The adage “success is like a journey; you need a destination” is one I respectfully challenge. In our experience, we’ve found that having a fixed end goal can limit one’s potential. We navigate our businesses with open hands and an open heart, allowing room for God to guide our path. I strongly advocate for an open-minded approach that remains receptive to the possibility of God’s shifts that can profoundly change and/or enhance the course of both your business and life.

I firmly believe that success is a harmonious fusion of resilience, adaptability, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to following the path that aligns with where God is leading. It’s about viewing failures as stepping stones towards our ultimate destination and embracing constant evolution as individuals and professionals.

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.

Introduction:

I’m thrilled to share a bit about myself and my life as a visual artist and business owner. My name is Ciara Kleva, and I’ve always been a little different (maybe a lot different). I knew that I would not be working the typical 9 to 5 (although there is absolutely nothing wrong with that). Now that I’ve become more established, I still do not fit into one genre and my daily life consists in both the creative and the business world. There will be two halves of the whole for each of these questions as I wear two main hats: co-owner of Kleva Built and photographer/artist under my own name.

How I Got Into My Industry/ies:

My journey into the world of visual arts began later on in life when deep rooted trauma became less traumatic as I was able to create. I was fortunate to have a husband that encouraged my artistic pursuits in both photography and painting, and I soon realized that my love of each could translate into something that could benefit others.

As for co-owning Kleva Built, I shared more details about this earlier in this interview, but in a nutshell: we started six years ago with practically nothing and now have a line of products that are sold internationally. Our business is now setting the standard in our industry and we are so thankful!

My Offerings:

At Kleva Built, we are a trusted source of only innovative products. We believe in quality without pretense, and we absolutely love what we do and are thankful for all of the experiences that come with our business. You can see more on our website: klevabuilt.com

With my photography & art, I just like to create for me, create for others, and hopefully, create for whoever is reading this right now. You can see more at my website: ciarakleva.com

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

My business partner and I were friends that met on Facebook in the niche fitness community back in 2014. We developed a casual friendship over a year and some months, when unexpectedly, during a trip with friends, we realized there was an undeniable attraction (if you could call it that), but really it was something much deeper. Six years of marriage and 8 years of ‘togetherness’ later, we know that what we felt was a deep, life altering, love. Starting and running a business together is just another facet of “US”.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I’ll speak specifically to our brand reputation with Kleva Built:

We have an unparalleled commitment to the quality of our products. We have not spent any money on advertising or influencer marketing, so everything that is shared online by others is coming from true and accurate reviews. We have made friends with most of our ‘competitors’ in this space and believe there is a piece of the pie for everyone! Mostly, we have stayed true to who we are, we do not try to sell an “idea” and create trends because those fads come and go. We also make sure we thank our customers frequently, because without them, we would not be selling anything. (THANK YOU KB SUPPORTERS!)

Contact Info:

• Website: KLEVABUILT.COM | CIARAKLEVA.COM
• Instagram: @KLEVABUILT | @CIARAKLEVA
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/klevabuilt/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciarakleva
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@KLEVABUILT

Image Credits
All photos taken by me (Ciara Kleva).