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

Kasey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

Ksea & Co. began back in 2013 and grew into something so much bigger gradually over the last 2-3 years. It all started out with embroidered monogram tees, which then led to vinyl stickers, and now strictly laser made goods. I have always had a huge love for art and building things so my business has evolved into exactly what it is today.

These ideas come to me sometimes in my dreams, during a meal, or even an absolute random spurt of the day. There is countless hours, days, or even months/weeks and prep that goes into every design/product I come up with. I spend countless hours a week hustling until sometimes 5 or 6 am. Grabbing a couple hours of sleep and then back in the workshop I go. Juggling running the artistic side of business to prep, production, marketing, shipping, fulfillment, etc. I do it all.

The steps it takes to make every single item I sell is truly made with love and laughter. Every small business truly has a village and I am so thankful for everyone who loves and supports my dreams over the years. My family and my significant other, play a vital role in my business. My dad is retired and is truly my right hand man. I do most of the behind the scenes but if it wasn’t for his hands as well, I wouldn’t be able to build any of my decor.

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

Allow me to introduce myself and share my journey with you. I am Kasey, the creative force behind Ksea & Co. Over the past three years, I have devoted myself full-time to my entrepreneurial venture. Prior to this, I utilized my Marketing degree from The University of North Carolina Wilmington while working at an engineering company. However, when the COVID pandemic struck, I realized that I desired a change in my daily life, leading me to pursue my own business with the support and encouragement of my loved ones.

While I don’t want to give the impression that my success happened overnight, I want to emphasize the dedication and hard work I have invested. Even now, I spend countless hours drawing, editing, painting, engraving, assembling, and marketing my creations. There are occasions where I work tirelessly for days on end to manage inventory for vendor shows, fulfill custom orders, and maintain stock for the stores I collaborate with.

At Ksea & Co., I offer a range of meticulously handcrafted wooden and acrylic decor, as well as unique gifts. While I currently focus predominantly on beach-themed decor, I pride myself on providing limitless customization options. I particularly enjoy collaborating with local businesses to create eye-catching signage for their stores, as well as crafting wedding decor and meaningful gifts. Among my personal favorites are the sentimental items I create: engraved cutting boards or signs featuring the handwritten recipes of your cherished ones.

My greatest source of pride stems from my unwavering determination to turn ideas into reality. I possess an unparalleled drive and commitment to giving my utmost effort to everything I undertake. Throughout my journey, there were numerous instances when I could have given up, as some of my ideas failed to take off as expected. Yet, through persistence, I discovered my niche and connected with my audience.

These are the key aspects I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about me and my brand, Ksea & Co..

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Ksea & Co. has developed a strong reputation through key elements such as confidence, friendliness, and an unwavering commitment to perfection in every design we create.

As the face of my brand, it is crucial to me to convey a friendly and knowledgeable demeanor when working on custom pieces for homes, weddings, friends, and more. I genuinely care deeply about each customer I collaborate with, and I am dedicated to achieving perfection in every custom design. I never compromise on quality, ensuring that every piece I deliver is flawless, exceeding the expectations of my clients.

An essential aspect of building my reputation is the willingness to explore new styles, materials, colors, and sizes. By continuously pushing the boundaries and taking pride in every piece I create, word of mouth has spread. What started as one business sign for a store in a shopping center has led to further opportunities within the complex and multiple collaborations with various stores.

I can confidently affirm that with Ksea & Co., the saying that “small business owners do a little happy dance with every order or contact” holds true. I am incredibly grateful for every sign I have the privilege to create. Even after a decade in business, it remains a surreal experience to see my work displayed in people’s homes and stores.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Over the course of a decade, Ksea & Co. has undergone several significant pivots. Whenever a particular approach didn’t yield the desired results, I remained open to trying alternative strategies.

In the early stages of my business, which began in 2013, I primarily focused on selling embroidered t-shirts adorned with monograms. This initial venture served as the foundation for my business and lasted for approximately two years. However, as growth slowed down and I sought to expand further, I introduced new product lines that gradually replaced the original offerings. Later, as I embarked on my college journey, my business took a major shift towards dorm decor, capitalizing on my existing contacts and connections. When that chapter of my life concluded, I embraced the next idea that came my way.

Throughout this journey, I have remained true to my products and adapted them according to the seasons and circumstances that are most suitable. Rather than becoming discouraged when a particular season ends, I approach it with a positive mindset, viewing it as an opportunity to explore new avenues. In the past 2-3 years, I have found a greater sense of consistency with occasional adjustments along the way. Discovering my purpose has undoubtedly been a full-time endeavor, but I am immensely satisfied with the products I create today.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kseaandco.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kseaandco
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/kseaandco