We were lucky to catch up with Kaye Akkerman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kaye thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear your thoughts about making remote work effective.

I have made remote work work for my company by letting my employees know my expectations clearly what their jobs are, and I train them remotely as well. My marketing guy for my socials is in Pakistan. We communicate through the computer via Zoom, and I teach him by using my snipping tool and other available tools. In fact, all my workers are from other parts of the country and the world. It has its challenges especially when it comes to time zones. My designer is from Africa, my manufacturer is in China, my web developers are in California, and they have remote workers everywhere as well. My IT guy is almost related, and he is here in this area about two towns away, but we work remotely as well, I have not had to have a group meeting yet. Pakistan is 12 hours ahead of me and China is 15 hours ahead of me Whereas Africa is only 8 hours ahead. We communicate through messaging and via the phone. Each person is responsible for taxes in their own countries I find that hiring them as their own contractors helps a million! I mean I am able to help people from around the world achieve the American dream and it makes me feel wonderful to be able to help.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi, my name is Kaye Akkerman and I own and operate Kayesboutique.com. When I could no longer work for other people due to my disability, I was given this job to help me stay in the now and to give myself something to obsess over. Well maybe not that last part. LOL, I used to be a model and I have always had an eye for fashion. I am the type that goes into a store looks around and picks the best thing that the store has to offer for me. My mom used to hate it. Now I shop the same way for my clothes that I get from vendors I shop and get the best things for my customers. Or I have them made. Karlo Brown Couture is my designer and I pick his very best designs for my store. I provide clothing for all occasions for Men Women Juniors Girls and Families (mother/daughter).

Running a company has its problems every day. It’s what keeps me interested. I am a problem solver and a peacekeeper. I try with lots of advice from others to put out the fires that come up every day from an employee needing instruction to a customer with questions or a problem. I think what sets me apart from others is I have my own designer and I create clothes for all people no matter the body style type or gender it makes no difference to me everyone is included at my store! I treat everyone with respect who treats me with respect. I am a very honest and kind person. The ONE thing I do not put up with in my store or on my videos is bullying. If you have to put someone else down to feel good shop somewhere else, you are not welcome here. What I want you all to know about my work is that when you buy from me you are helping to support communities around the world in some very impoverished areas. More than that you are getting quality made clothes designer-made clothes at a very good price. Come check out the Kboutique Brand and Karlo Brown Couture for Kayesboutique Labels.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I have built my social media presence by getting involved with other people reaching out to my online community and asking people what they like. Another thing I did was join groups get to know the people in your group ask your group admins if you can mention your new project. The most important thing is to network. Always be getting that friend of a friend who they just know will love your content. Add every relative you have and their friends’ old school buddies and their friends I’m not saying to troll your friends but find out which ones would be interested in your invite and then friend them Another way I got followers was I advertised I did and still do sign ups on my website right now I am offering a 200.00 shopping spree to a lucky winner once I receive 500 entries. Marketing brings in followers the more you go live the more followers you will have. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Share your excitement with everyone you come in contact with. I wear hats that I sell when someone compliments the hat, I give them a card that has all my socials on it. Have parties online. If it works for Tupperware it will work for you too! Everyone likes to party. Tell everyone to like and share your stuff you cannot say it too many times let it become your mantra. Please like and share please follow and subscribe. Whichever social you are on at the time.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

The best advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale for me, has been transparency. I am very honest with those that work with me. I am plain in my expectations, and I offer encouragement instead of criticism. I make sure that my team is one I can trust. Trust is most important. I need to trust they will do their jobs to my expectations, and they expect to be trained in how to do the job to my expectations and of course, paid in a timely fashion and for an agreed wage. My team is like a family with some team members calling me mom or even the young ones calling me grandma. I don’t mind at all we are all very close and trust that each will do their job well. Each member relies on the other members so that the company runs as a whole. It is not easy sometimes you have to smooth ruffled feathers and ruffled egos sometimes you have to put your foot down too and let them know this is unacceptable but do it in a kind way. NEVER belittle or put down your team when letting them know something is unacceptable stick to the facts and don’t let emotions get in the way. This lets the team know you still care about them as individuals. Give plenty of feedback and when something goes well reward your team! They need to know when they are doing a great job too.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kayesboutique.com
• Instagram: @kayesboutique_plussizeshop
• Facebook: kayesboutiq2ue
• Linkedin: Kaye Akkerman/ Kayesboutique
• Twitter: @Kayeakkerman
• Youtube: Kaye Akkerman
• Yelp: Kayes Boutique
• Other: Please see me live every day except Sunday on TikTok @kayesboutique Starting at the end of September. Also check out my Facebook group kayesboutique.

Image Credits
Kaye Akkerman