We were lucky to catch up with Karen Exemar recently and have shared our conversation below.

Karen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

One of the most unexpected problems I faced in my business was when my boutique’s Instagram page suddenly stopped growing after months of steady engagement. In the beginning, I was seeing great traction—my audience was engaging, sales were coming in, and my posts were getting shared. Then, out of nowhere, the engagement dropped significantly. It felt like I was posting into the void, and no matter what I did, the algorithm just wasn’t pushing my content.

At that moment, it was frustrating because I had put so much time into growing my brand, and it felt like I was hitting a wall. I started questioning everything—was my content not good enough? Was I not reaching the right audience anymore? It was discouraging, but I knew I had to pivot rather than panic.

To resolve the issue, I did a deep dive into my analytics and realized that my content strategy needed a refresh. I started experimenting with different types of content—more reels, behind-the-scenes clips, and engaging captions that encouraged interaction. I also tapped into my personal brand more, leveraging my TikTok following to drive traffic to my boutique. Additionally, I collaborated with influencers and did giveaways to boost visibility.

Within a few weeks, I saw an improvement. The engagement started picking up again, and I realized that sometimes, setbacks in business are just opportunities to get more creative. That experience taught me not to rely solely on one platform or strategy but to always be adaptable and ready to pivot when things shift unexpectedly.

At the time, it felt overwhelming, but looking back, it was a necessary challenge that helped me refine my marketing approach.

Karen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Of course! My name is Karen Exemar, and I’m the owner of KdulceBoutique and a makeup artist under Makeupsincere. My journey into both industries was completely unexpected but so rewarding.

I actually got into makeup by simply helping a friend. She asked me to do her makeup, and after I finished, she posted the results on Facebook. That one post changed everything! People started reaching out, asking if I could do their makeup too, and before I knew it, I had a growing list of clients. With makeup going so well, I decided to expand my brand and jump into the boutique clothing industry, which had always been a passion of mine.

Now, I offer makeup classes and 1-on-1 makeup sessions that come with a full makeup kit—everything you need to do a flawless face on your own. I also run KdulceBoutique, where I provide stylish, travel-friendly, and confidence-boosting outfits for women who love looking good with ease. Whether it’s a bold statement piece or a comfortable but chic everyday set, my boutique is all about helping women feel beautiful, no matter where they are.

What sets me apart is my ability to connect with my clients personally. Whether it’s through makeup or fashion, I take pride in helping women feel their best. I know what it’s like to start from the ground up, and I pour that passion into making sure my customers and clients get quality service, products, and education.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come as an entrepreneur. From a simple Facebook post to running a business in beauty and fashion, my journey has been a testament to trusting the process and believing in myself. If there’s one thing I want my clients, followers, and supporters to know, it’s that I am dedicated to bringing them high-quality services and products that make them feel like their best selves. Whether you’re learning how to do your makeup or shopping for the perfect outfit, I’ve got you covered!

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

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was thinking that I could do everything alone—that asking for help was a sign of weakness. When I first started my business, it was just me and Google, figuring things out as I went. I didn’t reach out to mentors, I didn’t ask for advice, and I definitely didn’t invest in professional guidance. I was determined to do it all on my own, thinking that if I just worked hard enough, I would figure everything out.

But the reality? I was doing everything blindly, making costly mistakes, and losing a lot of money in the process. Whether it was ordering too much inventory without a solid sales strategy, running ads without fully understanding how they worked, or just wasting time on trial and error, I quickly realized that not asking for help was hurting my business more than helping it.

I finally had to unlearn this independent mindset and start seeking guidance. I connected with other entrepreneurs, joined networking groups, and started learning from people who had already been where I was trying to go. Once I did that, things started to shift. I became more strategic, made smarter investments, and stopped wasting time and money on things that weren’t working.

Now, I understand that asking for help is not a weakness—it’s a strength. Surrounding yourself with people who have knowledge and experience can save you years of struggle. Looking back, I wish I had sought mentorship and education sooner, but I’m grateful for the lesson because now I move with strategy, not just effort.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

One of my favorite marketing stories—and probably one of my biggest “just go for it” moments—was when I decided to take a risk and put my brand in front of celebrity stylists and makeup artists. At the time, I was still trying to establish my boutique, and I knew that visibility was everything. But how was I going to get my pieces seen by people who had real influence?

Instead of waiting for the “perfect opportunity,” I took a bold leap and started reaching out to the makeup artists and stylists of celebrities. I messaged them, introduced my brand, and offered to send them free pieces from my boutique, hoping they would style their celebrity clients in them.

To be honest, it felt like a long shot. These were high-profile professionals working with major names, and I had no guarantees that they’d even open my messages, let alone accept my offer. But I bet on myself, sent out my best pieces, and hoped for the best.

Then, one day, I started seeing my boutique’s pieces on actual celebrity clients—Gabrielle Union, Shereé Whitfield, and even Fantasia! I remember scrolling through my phone and just freezing, like, “Wait… is that MY piece?!” Seeing something I curated on powerful, influential women like them was surreal.

At that moment, I felt a mix of excitement, validation, and pride. It was a reminder that sometimes, you have to take risks and put yourself out there, even when the odds seem against you. That one marketing move not only boosted my brand’s credibility but also gave me the confidence to go after even bigger opportunities.

Looking back, it’s a reminder that closed mouths don’t get fed. If I had let doubt stop me, I would have never seen my brand reach that level. Now, I always encourage other entrepreneurs to shoot their shot—you never know who’s watching!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kdulce.boutique/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_itskarenmel?igsh=aW96MmFoamNsdHd3&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@makeupsincere?si=VBp6FHwvetdtpJvC