We recently connected with Keyla Prichard and have shared our conversation below.

Keyla, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Being a business owner has been a journey. Prior to me starting my own business, I had worked for a high-level, top-performing company for over 10 years. There was a point when my greatest desire was to work for this company for the rest of my life. It had become my identity. I didn’t know who I would be, or where I would be if I didn’t work at this place.

That desire slowly faded. Towards the end of my tenure, I was overwhelmed with sadness and anxiety and fell into a deep depression. There were so many uncertainties. I didn’t know if  I should withstand the hardship, or work through my emotions to achieve my long term goals. In a way, this season felt like a badge of honor. A story worth telling when I finally made it to the top.

The idea of this season being a test of my faith was absurd. There was no way my time at this company had come to an end. When I thought about leaving, fear set in. “What would I do? Where would I go? I don’t have experience in any other field!” Were all things that flooded my mind.

But then.

I quit.

I remember that day like it was yesterday.  I had been crying all morning. My supervisor pulled me into the office and before he could get his words out clearly, the statement just left my lips, “I QUIT.” At that moment, I felt a sense of freedom as if a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. But once I got home, that feeling of freedom quickly vanished. “WHAT WAS I THINKING? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW?” These questions replayed in my mind for hours.

Two weeks went by, and I still hadn’t made a decision on what I was going to do for work. The idea of going back to working a regular job instantly sent me to a place of anxiety. I didn’t want to be in a toxic work environment anymore. My desire was to create a space where I could freely be my authentic self without limitations.

So that’s what I did.

I took a risk and started my own company and it has been the best decision that I’ve ever made. I have been able to service hundreds of people, curating beautiful experiences and sharing my story along the way.

Keyla, 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?

Growing up, I’ve always been extremely detail-oriented, creative, & an obsessive planner. I use to drive my family and friends crazy with all of my checklists, itineraries, color codes (for pictures and events), planners, and so on. Little did I know that that was my superpower. I channeled all of my  “annoying” personality traits and created a profitable business from it.

After working for a company for 10 years, I decided to take a leap of faith & start my own company. On this journey, I’ve been able to curate luxury al fresco experiences for my clients all over South Florida. My company, Palmtrees & Popcorn, specializes in al fresco-styled Luxury picnics, private movie experiences, and hand-crafted beverages made from fresh fruit, sourced from local farmers.

For every client, it is my goal to deliver the highest quality service, at the most affordable prices, without compromising a luxurious experience. When people experience Palmtrees and Popcorn for the first time, the lasting impression of quality forever remains.

Now as an adult, no one hates me for my “annoying” personality traits, they pay me for them :)

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Imposter Syndrome, Self Doubt & Lack of experience

I truly believe that mental health is not talked about enough when it comes to entrepreneurship. In order to run a successful business, you must be in a positive space mentally and emotionally. I had zero experience when it came to operating a successful business. I worked for a high-level, top-performing company for over a decade, so I automatically assumed that my business would magically take off. I had the book knowledge of how a successful business operates, but I didn’t understand the vastness of operating a NEW business from the ground up.

At the time my business lacked structure, systems, and resources. Being an al fresco (outdoor) styled business, the weather makes a huge impact on daily operations. When I first launched my business a little over a year ago, it rained daily. I didn’t have the knowledge, resources, or equipment I needed in order to successfully operate my business when bad weather occurs. The bad weather cost me cancellations, rescheduled events, or ruined experiences. I made a grand total of $225 (profit) the first three months after launching my business after I had invested thousands.

There had been many moments where a little voice in my head would tell me to give up because I wasn’t good enough. To quit because my business wasn’t where I thought it should be. I would walk into rooms with people in the same industry and I would almost immediately feel inferior. I would compare my journey to theirs or the lack thereof.

Comparison is the thief of all joy, and it tried to rob me of my dreams. I’ve faced many challenges throughout my life, but I believe that overcoming mental health in the entrepreneurship industry has to be my greatest story to date. I didn’t allow those moments of defeat to define my entire journey as an entrepreneur. Instead, I use those moments to remind myself of how far I’ve come. It is those moments that fuel the fire to keep me going because the best is yet to come.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Authenticity.

My most effective strategy for growing my clientele is to be completely transparent with my audience and to show up 100% as my authentic self. My audience is able to resonate with me and my company because I never try to portray anything that I am not. I never give false hope by painting a picture that I have it all together. I AM HUMAN. My life isn’t perfect, my company isn’t perfect, I am not perfect, but yet, I continue to find my imperfect people who are perfect for me. People who share the same values and enjoy the experiences that I have to offer. MY COMMUNITY. The people who understand that this journey that I am on is far from over. The people who are patient when I make mistakes but who also support me along the way. These are the people who I continue to go hard for. My community is continuously growing, and for this, I am grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.palmtreesandpopcornfl.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palmtreesandpopcorn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/palmtreesandpopcorn
• Other: https://linqapp.com/palmtreesandpopcorn?r=link

Image Credits
Alexandra Hamman Keyla Prichard