We were lucky to catch up with Kimberly Archuleta recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly , thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Transitioning from an idea to execution requires strategic planning, steadfast determination, and the adept application of skills and knowledge. My journey with Avance Learning Solutions, Medical Academy, Ala-carte CME, and Hemp Sea Salt is an apt illustration of this process. Let’s delve into how I managed to successfully navigate from conception to realization in my entrepreneurial endeavors.

1. Avance Learning Solutions:
* Idea Formation: Identify a gap in the educational market for specific learning solutions.
* Strategic Planning: Develop programs, courses, or learning materials that address the identified gaps.
* Execution: Implement the learning solutions, continually refine them based on feedback, and ensure they effectively meet the needs of your target audience.

2. Medical Academy:
* Idea Formation: Recognizing a need for specialized continuing medical training and education.
* Strategic Planning: Creating curricula and platforms that cater to the specific educational requirements of medical professionals.
* Execution & Exit Strategy: Successfully being approved by the board of medical education to teach doctors and then strategically selling to a stakeholder (a doctor) who could further its growth.

3. Ala-carte CME:
* Idea Formation: A perception of demand for flexible, personalized Continuing Medical Education (CME) options.
* Strategic Planning: Developing a system just like Medical Academy to offer personalized, on-demand learning for medical professionals seeking CME opportunities.
* Execution: Ensure the platform is user-friendly, accessible, and provides valid certifications, while continually updating course offerings in line with current medical advancements.

4. Hemp Sea Salt:
* Idea Formation: Noticing an unmet need for natural, hemp-infused products in the market.
* Strategic Planning: Curating a product line, ensuring quality, and abiding by legal and health standards.
* Execution: Implementing strategic marketing, distribution, and sales strategies to bring the product to market and ensure its growth.

Key Takeaways from Your Journey:
A. In-depth Market Research:
* Understanding the market, identifying gaps, and creating products/services that fulfill unmet needs.
B. Strategic Planning:
* Crafting detailed business plans that encompass every aspect of the business: from product development and marketing to customer service.
C. Adaptability:
* Being open to change and ready to pivot the business model, offerings, or strategy as per evolving market demands.
D. Skillful Execution:
* Utilizing expertise, resources, and networks effectively to translate plans into actionable steps.
E. Exit Strategies:
* With Medical Academy, having a clear exit strategy that included who would buy the business and how it would be transitioned.
F. Continuous Learning:

Ensuring I am constantly abreast of industry changes, customer preferences, and technological advancements.
My journey, navigating through different industries and successfully establishing diverse businesses, underscores the universality of these principles. It also showcases how different sectors, despite their unique challenges, can be maneuvered through with a consistent approach of thorough planning, insightful strategy, and disciplined execution. Crafting this pathway, especially with the foresight to build a business for eventual sale as with Medical Academy, exhibits strategic entrepreneurship.

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

Kimberly Archuleta: A Serial Entrepreneur with a Boundless Spirit

Hello, I’m Kimberly Archuleta, a proud Colorado native and seasoned entrepreneur, having launched four businesses during my career. As a Hispanic woman, I’ve navigated the realms of entrepreneurship with a blend of diligent work and strategic thinking, achieving noteworthy milestones along the way.

Proudly wearing the hat of a mother, my incredible son Jaxton is my world. Our adventures often include traveling, exploring new sights and creating memories that we cherish. My entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t rest, perpetually igniting new ideas and ventures, earning me the title of a serial entrepreneur. Beyond running businesses, I find joy in guiding friends through their own entrepreneurial paths, sharing insights and lessons from my journey.

With a rich background spanning over 15 years in corporate and medical education fields, my latest venture has pivoted towards promoting health through tangible products—a new path that excites and challenges me in equal measure. While work fuels my passion, I’m not one to relax in front of the TV; instead, I find myself drawn to YouTube, plunging into the depths of quantum physics and spirituality through various content.

My YouTube channel, where I engage with and spotlight brilliant minds, has blossomed into a community of over 1,700 subscribers and a library of 60+ videos—a testament to my curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning.
I don’t envision retirement in my future; instead, I see further education. A reserved scholarship for my master’s and doctorate degrees is a journey I will embark upon someday. My heart overflows with gratitude for the abundant support I’ve received over the years. Without the help of numerous individuals, including my business partner Cynthia Williams—who has experienced the lifecycle of a successful company exit and is now co-building a new venture with me—I wouldn’t be where I am today.

My family, my unwavering foundation, fuels my capacity to take risks and execute visions. Their strength and support have been pivotal in shaping me, enabling me to navigate the challenges and triumphs of my entrepreneurial journey.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Navigating Challenges to Triumph: The Revival and Sale of Medical Academy

The journey with Medical Academy demanded resilience and strategic adaptability, especially when our accreditation by the Board of Medical Education was swiftly followed by the global upheaval caused by COVID-19. For several years, our symposiums for physicians—once our core—were halted, significantly impacting our revenue streams and business dynamics. During this challenging time, I was fortunate to join forces with Cynthia Williams, an incomparable business partner whose dedication, financial investment, and invaluable wisdom became pivotal. Together, we not only breathed new life into Medical Academy during a critical period but also successfully revitalized and sold the business just a year later.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Strategic Partnerships and Passive Income: The Ala Carte CME Success Story

In our venture, Ala Carte CME, we strategically allied with a marketing and CME course platform, leveraging their expansive network of doctors to promote our courses. Every course sold through their platform has not only proved to be financially lucrative but has also evolved into a source of passive income, offering a delightful and sustainable revenue model for our business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alacartecme.com
• Instagram: @avancelearning
• Facebook: Hemp Sea Salt
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-archuleta-avance-ma/
• Twitter: @HempSeaSalt
• Youtube: The Awakening Series
• Yelp: Avance Learning