Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kimberly Lawson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Kimberly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s one of the most important lessons you learned in school?

People may not remember what you do, but they will always remember how you made them feel. And never show up anywhere without having done the work. These two principles rule my business life. I am not sure exactly when I learned the first life lesson, but I can hands down remember when I learned the second life lesson that governs me. My freshman year at Albany State University I took Psych 101 from Dr. William A. Reed. Dr. Reed initially seemed eccentric to me. He taught with an energy I was not accustomed to. However I was fairly confident that I could get by in the class and maintain a B average. That was my plan, to coast through the course. Around the second or third week of class I showed up to class without having read the assigned text from the previous class. When Dr. Reed called on me to answer a question, I gave what I thought was a brilliant fluff answer. I have the gift of gab, the majority of my life I have been able to “talk” my way in and out of situations I wasn’t prepared for. Unfortunately, for me on this day Dr. Reed was not fooled by my fluff. To my surprise he threw a book at me (it missed me) and put me out of class. I was told that I could not return until I was prepared for his class. This was an eye-opening and life changing moment for me. Dr. Reed threw the book at me to wake me up. I was squandering my potential and wasting his time. From that moment on, I was overly prepared for every class. I turned in papers early, I did more than what was required for projects, and I volunteered to lead groups. I don’t remember everything that I was taught during my years at Albany State University, but I will never forget the moment Dr. Reed literally threw the book at me.

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?

My name is Kimberly Lawson and I am the Founder and CEO of Lawson Learning Academy, LLC. Lawson Learning Academy is a Business Consulting Firm where I work as a Fractional COO, Business Trainer and Consultant for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits. Additionally, I am also an International Bestselling Author and International Speaker. I absolutely love working with small businesses! It is truly my passion! I started working with small business owners when I was two years old! I know it sounds crazy, but I was a toddler with a “job” in a small business. That truly sparked my interest and love of small business.

As a Fractional COO I help small businesses with operations, systems, and strategic planning. Me being a Fractional COO is a huge benefit to small business owners because I provide the Operations Executive experience they need at a price they can afford. Small business owners bring me to specifically oversee a project(s) for a specific period of time, which is more cost effective because they do not have to carry the cost of an executive level position for a year. Some of the tasks I oversee are marketing, expansions, new product launches, and coordinating events. Additionally, through Lawson Learning Academy, I provide trainings and workshops for small businesses. Some of the trainings that I have led are Diversity & Inclusion, Climate Culture, and Financial Literacy. All of these can be considered part of a small business’s benefit package for its employees as well as providing education and opportunity for employees to grow.

I am very proud of the work I do here at Lawson Learning Academy, LLC. I end every day feeling good about the work I am doing because I know that I am helping small business owners build a legacy that will outlive me. And that makes my heart smile.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Most of my clientele comes from me attending networking events and business conferences. The majority of people who attend those events are small business owners. Once I start mingling and talking about my business, people are always interested in working with me.

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

When I first started Lawson Learning Academy, LLC I was a business coach. I primarily worked with aspiring entrepreneurs. I would coach them through starting their business from the very beginning. This work was rewarding emotionally, but not financially stable. Plus, the market was overly saturated with “coaches”. I needed to set myself apart from the others plus gain steady revenue. One of my business besties suggested I pivot to being a Fractional COO instead of being a coach. After some research I made the decision to follow my friend’s advice. Ending my coaching academy was bittersweet. However, after over a year of being a Fractional COO I know this was the best decision I could have made for my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kimberlylawson.net
• Instagram: @lawsonlearningacademy
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/lawsonlearningacademy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/powellkimberly/
• Twitter: @lawsonlearningacademy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KimberlyLawson1/about
• Other: www.woisummit.net

Image Credits
Photo in pink dress, Photo Credit to Reginald Christian