Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kourtney Perry. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kourtney, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.
Whew! We could talk all day about that. LOL The most important factor has been the ability to network to scale my businesses. Going into rooms that I never thought I could be in and meeting corporate and government clients. I have met some amazing people who I consider real friends and I would not know them without showing up in those rooms. Building relationships with people who hold higher roles and can bring me in to provide my services and products. Also working with community leaders and supporting other local small businesses to help them evolve.
Some major obstacles have been raising capital. We all see in the world today that in the Black community we do not get as much assistance or education when it comes to funding. It is nice to see an increase in help now but there is still a long road to go to provide the correct education to help make the right decisions. Second, would be getting knowledge or help where I am at in business. Signing up for courses and only getting the basics has been a waste of time. I have found that organizations outside of my state offer better resources in the ability to get to the next level. I was recently accepted into the Goldman Sachs Black In Business cohort, so I am super excited to take a serious deep dive and elevate. Lastly, Covid-19. You must learn how to pivot when there is a fork in the road. Shutting down the event services was hard in 2020, but I had the opportunity to promote the business services that we offer to help other small businesses scale and stand out from others. Also, adding a product to the business took a lot of money to establish.
A HUGE mistake that I have made would be to stay in the know of my financials. From learning how to build an accounting platform to filing taxes to knowing how to pay employees. If you want to be successful and make a profit to live being an entrepreneur, take the time to be best friends with finances.
Kourtney, 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?
Of course!! Hey!! I am Kourtney Perry, CEO of Privacy, LLC and Ladie Lex Scented Candles, LLC. I started my journey of being a business owner when I was presented with an opportunity to help a family friend with an annual event. I stepped in and did what comes natural with organization and executing a plan. The event was a success and an inspiration to create Privacy, LLC. Being a very private person when it comes to my personal life and having the love to create memories within the world of technology that you can hold private in your life, is where the business name comes from. I immediately started on my journey of networking once my business was fully registered with the State of Iowa in October 2018. I met a lot of people that presented me with great knowledge and insight of what it took to take charge of your dreams. I signed up for my first business class with the Iowa Center of Economic Success to build my business plan and hosted my first event in April of 2019. It was the start of bringing awareness to the brand, allowing people to see my work ethic, and showcasing other businesses in the community. Along the way, people started to notice my work, and I was getting asked for help from other upcoming businesses owners. So, I utilized my new found knowledge to start providing business marketing services. When 2020 hit, the event spectrum was almost eliminated, and I needed to find a way to pivot. The intention was to always have a product that would go with the service side of the company to continue the mission to bring peace to one’s world. My sister, Chonte Duncan, owner of Dread Doctor, LLC, suggested that I try out candle making. So, I ordered my first kit from Amazon and started researching. Candles were more than just a good scent in your home. They can aid with anxiety, stress, and depression. Going through the pandemic a lot of people were suffering with mental health issues and were not aware of it. I started by mixing the candles with essential oil blends and found ways to aid in this problem. My first vendor Pop Up Show was in December of 2020, it was a hit, and Ladie Lex Scented Candles became a brand.
Since 2018, I have continued to build relationships throughout the United States with events, business consultations, and the candle products in Texas, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Minnesota. I have partnered with non-profit organizations and small business owners such as Hip Hope Inc., LadyLike Empowerment, and Urban City Magazine to provide event services. Other organizations such as Iowa Juneteenth, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Iota Zeta Omega Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, NCMIC, Ruan, Watpad, and Black Women 4 Healthy Living, I have provided the handmade candle products and more. Due to the high demand, in 2021 for the products, I opened my first brick and mortar store. It was a decision that had no negative outcome. In 2022, I moved my manufacturing space from the basement to a 1300 square foot warehouse. Now Privacy, LLC has an office to formally meet with clients.
My goal is to keep striving to provide excellent services and products to all clients and customers. My vision is to create a company that is a one stop shop for all your needs whether it is a festival, new business idea, or bridal party gift. It is important for me to be able to build a relationship and provide an experience that will give people a comfortable space to be authentic. I will always do my best to uplift and bring other individuals to my platform that have goals that they want to achieve and be successful.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
To do it all by myself and I am still working on it. This is one of the hardest things that any business owner must learn. It is like you gave birth to a child and you don’t want to have anyone’s nasty hands on something so precious to you. That old saying that there is no I in a team. However, the good thing about it is that you get to pick your team. Recently, my body crashed on me from doing a lot of heavy lifting throughout the past 2 years. This means that the physical ability to do my job was in jeopardy. From toting inventory supplies and products to shows, and up and down stairs, could range 45 pounds or more. On top of that running all day doing events. Then, lifting the boxes the incorrect way and almost falling down the stairs will take a toll on your body. I hit a point in my journey where I realized that for me to still produce a great product, I must bring in a team to help execute duties.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I am currently in a season to bounce back. When my body crashed at the end of 2022 it has been a challenge mentally and physically to continue to do the work that I have fell in love with. I published the Be Your Authentic Self Care Workbook to help myself and others through a journey of finding yourself and being real with the process of your life. Like not lifting those heavy boxes, LOL, finding resources and people to uplift you, overcoming challenges, removing negativity, and finding balance in your life. When they say working 100 hours for yourself over 40 hours for someone else…the facts are in! 2023 has been a rough year in my personal and professional life but I continue to have my faith, remind myself that the reasons I do this work is to provide a legacy for my family and help bridge the gap in the Black community to excellence. Every day is a challenge, but I continue to ride the roller coaster to the finish.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.privacyllc.net & www.ladielexcandles.net
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/privacyllc?igshid=ffb0luyy47gj & https://instagram.com/ladielexcandles
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/privacyllc2018/ & https://www.facebook.com/ladielexcandles/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/privacyllc/?viewAsMember=true
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@privacyllcandladielexcandles/videos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ladie-lex-scented-candles-des-moines