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

Hi Iniki, thanks for joining us today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

Before launching my business, I hired a business coach who advised me to secure two test clients at a reduced rate to refine my services. I worked with two individuals for a year at my lowest rates to see how everything would operate. During that time, I maintained a full-time job to ensure my personal needs were met while I built my business. My first client was actually my former internship director from graduate school—someone who had always encouraged social entrepreneurship and the idea of maximizing my social work degree. Her investment not only supported her business but also served as a catalyst, proving that I could effectively offer my skills and services to those in need.

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

Hi, I’m Iniki Franklin, founder and lead administrator at WildflowerKulture LLC. WFK is an administrative support business offering virtual assistance, project planning, and consultative support to women-led businesses and nonprofit leaders. I specialize in bringing order to chaos by systemizing and streamlining my clients’ vision, handling task management, and keeping operations flowing smoothly.

I got into this industry during COVID. While the world was shut down, the inspiration for my business came alive. I had always been told I was administratively gifted, naturally able to make processes run more efficiently. At the time, I was working in my degree field in social work, but I realized that social work didn’t have to be limited to traditional roles—it could be applied more broadly to support others. That’s when I shifted from a micro social work perspective to a macro one and began developing my business.

My goal is to help busy women focus on high-level operations by providing task support for the things they simply don’t have time for. I also assist with planning and project execution, helping ideas move from concept to completion.

What I’m most proud of is seeing the success of my clients after I’ve supported them. There’s a unique fulfillment that comes from knowing my work helps others thrive—it’s a feeling that’s hard to put into words but is deeply rewarding.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Around 2023, I had to pivot my business due to several client transitions. These changes left me needing to supplement my income, so I took a part-time job within my field while continuing to grow my business. It wasn’t a pivot I had planned or wanted, but it became an important learning experience. At the time, my service rates were low, and I wasn’t fully prepared for multiple client transitions. That period taught me several valuable lessons: to charge my worth, to plan ahead, and to never be afraid to pivot temporarily when circumstances call for it.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Referrals have been by far the most effective way for me to gain clients. About 95% of my clients come through referrals, while the remaining 5% find me through social media or at networking events.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wildflowerkulture.com/
• Instagram: wildflowerkulturellc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iniki-franklin-msw-99a23b54/

Image Credits

Image credit to Ladies of Favor Inc.