We were lucky to catch up with Kiwanis Rucker recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kiwanis, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.
In the African American community, we are often faced numerous challenges, including financial setbacks and a lack of access to fair credit opportunities. I have a mission to empower individuals and my community by helping them overcome their credit issues. I have not only witnessed the struggles, but I have firsthand knowledge.
My personal experience with credit is a powerful example of the lack of education and guidance people in my community face when it comes to credit. At 19 years old I was a single mother and my first credit card offer came in the mail. Due to a lack of financial responsibility and understanding of how credit works, I found myself unable to make even the minimum payments. This marked the beginning of my credit journey. It wasn’t until 2014 when I had many more mistakes with credit that I really became serious about credit and financial literacy. Unfortunately, my experience is common within my community, where individuals either don’t receive credit education or know little about credit and its management. They might even shy away from using credit due to negative experiences or examples they’ve seen within their families.
Credit repair goes beyond credit scores and reports. I recognize that. Credit repair holds the power to restore hope and provide life-changing opportunities. I understand the profound impact it can have because of the impact that credit repair has had in my life. My company is committed to helping people gain the access to credit that they need. By doing so, I aim to bring about positive transformation in my community.
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 personal credit restoration journey began in 2014, where I faced some challenges that resulted in a low credit score. However, rather than letting this setback define me, I used it as an opportunity to learn and grow. As I delved deeper into understanding credit and its impact, I became passionate about sharing my newfound knowledge with others.
Starting with my friends and family, I began sharing my journey and offering assistance with their own credit issues. These initial experiences led to the creation of my very own credit restoration business. In 2022, I became a Certified Credit Consultant, solidifying my commitment to helping individuals restore their credit and gain a better understanding of the underlying principles of credit management.
Over the past 8 years, KMJ Financial Services has been dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to achieve financial freedom. We offer credit restoration and tax preparation services with an unwavering commitment to quality and strict standards. Our goal is to help 10,000 people in our community become credit literate and leverage their credit for a fulfilling life.
What sets us apart from other companies is our genuine care for our clients. We don’t view them as just another number; instead, we strive to establish meaningful relationships built on trust and empathy. Our focus is not only on restoring credit but also on educating our clients and equipping them with expert guidance to maintain their creditworthiness in the long run.
At KMJ Financial Services, we work closely with our clients, providing hands-on support and personalized strategies to help them achieve their credit goals. We take pride in our dedication to making a positive change in our community. Our passion for what we do, coupled with our years of experience, differentiates us from competitors who may come and go. We are grateful for the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of our clients and are committed to continuing our mission for years to come.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Word of mouth is a powerful tool in business. One strategy that has been effective in my business is referral bonus. Offering a referral bonus is a win-win situation. My clients get a reward for referring a friend to my business and I get to grow my clientele without spending money on advertising or marketing. This also helps me ensure my clients are satisfied with my services, as they would only refer people if they were happy with the experience.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the biggest struggles in the credit repair industry is building trust and credibility. This industry has faced scrutiny due to fraudulent practices by some companies in the past. As a result, establishing trust and credibility with potential clients can be difficult. There was a time when I was marketing a free credit repair challenge on social media. I can remember there were so many comments about how credit repair is a scam. There were people who do not know me or my company that were making comments of my company being a scam. Overcoming this skepticism and differentiating my business from unethical practices has been a struggle but every day I continue to move forward because I know firsthand how the service that my company provides can changes lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kiwanisrucker.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiwanisrucker/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kmjfinancialservices
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtCy6d0uvFjjar3IKk6eFyA
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CmeoQ4OawO01amz2cp1vK