We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kimberly Adams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, thanks for joining us today. How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

I personally don’t feel that you should have to ask for support from your family and friends. I personally believe that they should believe in your vision and trust you enough to stand behind you and motivate you. I feel that you should receive the same support as they would a well known company doing the same thing as your small business. I have noticed that there can often be favoritism, jealousy and envy towards you as a person that sometimes doesn’t allow you to receive the support that you should. I have found that family and friends sometimes don’t understand that they have the same amount of time to accomplish the same goals you are reaching for instead they make not always take the initiative to step up to the challenge and achieve those goals. Some family and friends feel that they should receive discounts or free items. I am here to say oh no… Everyone should respect your business as they would a well known company. If they can not respect your business and value your business enough to fully support you I feel that those are not family members and friends you need around.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started my business in the early development of COVID. At the time I always knew that I wanted to have a business but just could understand nor figure out where do I start. I honestly was laying in bed one day thinking about what if I start my own clothing brand would I be successful. I questioned myself daily about the decision that I was about to make and just woke up one morning and went to obtain my business license and took off running ever since. There has been a lot of pros and cons. There have been a lot of test but it’s all apart of being an entrepreneur. I started Rich Empire as the first black female owned clothing brand in my area. Starting off I received an overflowing amount of support but as time passed and everyone started to take to the trend it has slowed down. I am still maintaining but not as I was when I first started.. A lot of the clothing are starting to look alike and I would like to be set apart so right now I am doing some research and self reevaluating to create different. Clothing items. The main goal was to create generational wealth and break generational barriers for my two beautiful daughters. For that reason I went and obtained a trademark for Rich Empire to make sure that they would be secured for life. Everyday I have challenges that arise but I refuse to be defeated. I know for what GOD has in store for me will always be possible.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media really came naturally. It took me some time to build but with the interviews, hosting, community engagement and also the word of mouth I have been able to have over 2-3k followers on all platforms. Yes, I would like to grow but I have to also realize that I have o lot been in business for 2 years and most successful companies it takes about 5-6 years before they saw an increase in revenue and sales.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

In 2 years I have had a lot of great quality in product but I have also had some not so good. When I first started I use to reach out to counter parties and try to network with them but in some instances it worked in some they felt that I was trying to become their competition so they wasn’t so open minded to working together. All the vendors that I have so far that I am currently working with I had to do a lot of research. I had to order test products before I actually wanted to introduce it to my clients. Now the manufacturer I have we have built a successful business relationship that I am very pleased with.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.myrichempire0816.com
• Instagram: Myrichempire_0816
• Facebook: Kimberly Adams