We recently connected with Ebony Beckford and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ebony thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for my business, Fin Lit Kids, was born out of a combination of personal experiences and a strong desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young children. While my daughter, Madison, was the initial inspiration behind the company, it was my own journey that made me realize the critical need for early financial education.

As a young woman, I faced a devastating loss when my mother passed away when I was just eighteen years old. The emotional toll was immense, and amidst the grief, I found myself thrust into a difficult financial situation. With no financial support and minimal guidance on managing money, I struggled to make ends meet and faced significant challenges in navigating my finances.

I wanted to ensure that my daughter, Madison, and other children like her didn’t find themselves in the same precarious financial situation as I did. The loss of my mother was emotionally devastating, but the financial struggles that followed made me acutely aware of the lack of preparation and knowledge I had about managing money. That’s why I started Fin Lit Kids.

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

I’m Ebony Beckford, an author, entrepreneur, and passionate financial literacy advocate with a mission to make financial literacy accessible and enjoyable for young children. I firmly believe that early financial education is a crucial factor in achieving financial independence and fostering economically prosperous communities.

In 2020, I released my best-selling children’s book, “Madison’s 1st Dollar,” which inspired me to start a multimedia edutainment company, Fin Lit Kids. Fin Lit Kids empowers adults to teach basic money concepts to children aged 3-7 through fun and engaging games, books, activities, and content.

My work has been recognized by various media outlets, including NBC News New York, Essence.com, Madamenoire.com, Blackenterprise.com, and multiple blogs. I also received a $10,000 grant from UPS Ignite and Accion Opportunity Fund. UPS Ignite has been instrumental in bolstering my business, providing ongoing promotions and valuable discounted services.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Last year I decided to refresh my brand, and little did I know that it would lead to a significant pivot in my journey. As an author and entrepreneur, I was committed to creating an impactful and engaging experience for my audience, particularly with my first book, the cornerstone of a series.

After a meeting with my brand strategist, it became clear that my brand needed a vibrant and fun makeover to truly resonate with my target audience. While my first book and its illustrations were good, I knew that they had the potential to be great. And I was determined to make that happen.

The decision to redo everything, including the illustrations for my book and all the designs for my other products, was undoubtedly tough and came with its challenges. As an entrepreneur, I understood that pivoting could be costly, but I firmly believed in the value of this transformation for my business.

With unwavering determination, I set out on the journey to elevate my brand to new heights. I found a talented new illustrator who perfectly captured the essence of my vision. Additionally, I sought the guidance of a content coach, recognizing the importance of aligning my messaging and storytelling to create a cohesive and captivating brand experience.

As the pieces fell into place, I realized that the pivot was one of the best decisions I could have made. The refreshing and vibrant new branding not only resonated with my audience but also attracted new readers and followers. The revamped illustrations breathed life into my book and the entire series, making it truly exceptional.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that other people always knew better than me. It took a significant shift in mindset for me to embrace the fact that as the visionary for my company, no one else could do what I do better than me. My good friend Natalie played a crucial role in helping me realize this.

In the early stages of my entrepreneurial journey, I often found myself seeking validation and advice from others, assuming that they possessed a deeper understanding of the topic or had more experience in running a business. I would second-guess my decisions and constantly look for external validation before moving forward.

Natalie, a supportive and insightful friend, noticed this pattern and reminded me that the answers I was seeking from experts were often the same insights I had already shared with her. She encouraged me to trust my instincts and recognize the expertise I held within myself as the visionary behind my company.

Her constant reminders helped me take a step back and reflect on the valuable insights and unique perspectives I brought to the table. As I started to internalize this truth, I gained the confidence to trust my own judgment and expertise.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.finlitkidsbox.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finlitkidsbox/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FinLitKidsBox
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm7SKN-_U5onJOv-IuRiRIQ

Image Credits
Aida Malik Photography for the pictures with me holding the books and with my daughter