We recently connected with Kristen Kubik and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kristen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

I think the biggest part people don’t show is how often “failure” becomes a thing on your way to the successes you create, and that’s exactly what happened. I had multiple failed launches, multiple failed posts (I’m talking literally ignored by the people — and they saw it!), multiple failed hires who just weren’t a good fit, etc.

I feel like the reason people don’t talk about the fails is because it’s so easy to feel so down on yourself when you do fail.

I remember my second “big” launch. I had my workshop all planned out. It was going to be a live event for people to utilize better marketing tactics on Pinterest. I was so excited! People had signed up! It was great! And…… then my mom died in the middle of the launch. I was devastated. My mom was my best friend. How in the world was I supposed to go on with my business when I didn’t have my sounding board?

Needless to say, I had to cancel the workshop… and people were angry about it! I actually got a decent amount of backlash for canceling and refunding people.

But here’s what I didn’t tell people: I’m a pro at customer service and a good client experience (thanks, Mom!). I watched who responded to my situation vs reacted that they weren’t getting what they needed at the time; and I offered people who responded with empathy places in other spots of my business, sometimes even creating special packages just for them to fit their budget. Some of those clients are still with me today, and that was in 2020.

I’ve personally always built my business on the client experience. If you’re coming into my world, you’re clearly coming in for results, which I provide. But not everyone looks at how they get to those results.

I’ve done anything from done-for-you services where I’m creating specific content or calendars or whole marketing campaigns to more DIY type things so you can learn to do it more yourself if you’re a self-starter who has a hard time hiring out.

When I realized what I needed in my business, which was recurring revenue, I doubled down on making it happen. I created a marketing package that I could pitch to companies I had researched and knew I would be excited to work with, and I got some amazing clients.

As my bills were taken care of, it made it easier to look to what I wanted to do more of: create for fun. That was when I got to lean back into having more workshops and more DIY type stuff again, so I could have the joys of teaching and educating again. I even leaned back into more done-with-you style consulting to help small business owners. It just felt more fulfilling, but at the same time, my business needs and my bills were still taken care of by my bigger clients.

The scaling has been surprisingly easy. We sometimes make it harder than it seems. For me, it’s really just been about knowing what I absolutely needed and going after that then leaning into my creative side.

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

So, I have ten years in marketing and working with all types of businesses, and I am the founder of Business Unfiltered. BU is a marketing firm that helps small business owners simply make more sales. We focus a lot on using inclusive messaging and accessibility to make sure that all parts of your audience is being heard in their desire to spend money, so you’re not feeling like you have to constantly just get “new eyes” on your stuff versus paying attention to the people already in front of you and creating more repeat buyers.

I have two degrees in business and marketing, respectively; and I have my Masters in Legal Studies dually in IP Law and Public Policy, because I saw so many inconsistencies in how businesses were ran and who the target demographics kept repeatedly being that I knew it was time for a change. I wanted to make sure that if I had a voice and a platform, then I could use it so more people could be heard — Black voices, Disabled voices, LGBTQIA+ voices, etc.

At Business Unfiltered, we provide both done for you content services and done with you consulting. I love being in your business, and I take immense pride in how much I hold my clients through the growth process while lovingly kicking them in the tail.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I absolutely adore connection! I always tell people how I built my first six figures with nothing but a Facebook page and a PayPal link. I used to go into Facebook groups (and still do, if I’m on the platform — but any comment section also works) and just answer questions. No strings attached, so I’d never sell in the comments. I’d just find some questions I was an expert in, and I’d answer them with my take, often citing the how/why in the answer. It helped me make so many connections, and I built a great referral network off of it!

I still do it on any platform nowadays. I love just having or creating conversations. I’ve also taken periods where I’m intentionally putting myself in front of other people’s audiences so they can find out who I am.

My biggest advice is two parts: 1. Get out there and just say the thing (within reason, obviously). 2. Block your friends and family that you’re worried to look cringe in front of. You’re going to feel so free when you just let that go, I promise. Because it’s easy to tell people, “They’re just jealous” or “Let them think you’re cringe!” But in reality, it’s a hard mentality to overcome. So, block them. Get rid of them until you feel so 1000% solid in everything you’re doing that it doesn’t matter if your mother-in-law calls you asking why you were in a magazine article.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My authenticity, hands down. And that feels like a buzz word at this point, but I’m transparent as they come, and I don’t hide it. I’m very loud about my beliefs and my morals, because I refuse to attract anyone who doesn’t feel the same. I’m also just a very statistics and data-driven person, so it’s easy for me to back up what I’m saying — no matter what it is. I know I’m going to get you to where you want to be, as long as you’re putting in the work with what I’m saying; and that seems cocky to some, but I prefer to think of it as confident.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://businessunfilteredllc.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/kristenunfiltered
• Other: https://threads.net/@kristenunfiltered

Image Credits

Rebecca McCoy Photography