We were lucky to catch up with Nicolette Cochran recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nicolette, appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later
I started my business last summer, June 2023. Up until that point, I had been working at marketing agencies for most of my career, and I was feeling totally stuck. Don’t get me wrong, agency experience is valuable because it teaches you so much so quickly. It’s like bootcamp for marketing. But, as a creative professional, the 9-5 work schedule doesn’t always support my work flow. I feel most inspired (and actually productive) when my life & work has fluidity. My best ideas tend to arrive when I least expect it like on a walk, long drive, or while cooking. I had always loved the idea of being my own boss but didn’t know where to start. Plus, taking that leap of faith on myself was casually terrifying. Eventually, I ran out of excuses that were preventing me from going off on my own, and I am so glad I did.
Do I wish that I had started my business sooner? Maybe – I think it is really easy to make excuses as to why you “shouldn’t” or “couldn’t” start a business. For me, the list was endless. At the end of the day, I realized that I was never going to be 100% ready. It was a scary but invigorating process. I encountered plenty of learning lessons along the way, but I also gained a ton of confidence after seeing that I can handle whatever comes my way. I am a firm believer in divine timing, so in that sense I don’t wish that I had done things differently. But, I would advise anyone who is thinking of starting their own business to, in the words of Nike, just do it!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Kini Studio was born from my passion for blending creativity and strategy – Nothing is more satisfying than taking a creative project from ideation to execution and then validating our efforts with the data. As a sociology major, I have a knack for noticing patterns and trends in our ever-evolving modern day society. With proven experience in the advertising & marketing space, I am the liaison between a brand and its target audience.
So.. What is Kini Studio? To start off, my name is Niki and I am the founder of Kini Studio. “Kini” is an anagram for my name, and it also has a playful beach tone to it. We are a creative marketing & advertising studio that offers a boutique approach. This personalized method allows us to share a brand’s story with the right audience in a unique & authentic way.
Born and raised in Southern California, I have always had an affinity for the ocean. After graduating from Loyola Marymount University in 2015, I was working three jobs – Two that paid the bills and one volunteer position at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. This position as an aquarist intern taught me much about marine life, our coastline’s ecosystem, and myself. Here, I fed & took care of all the animals at the aquarium, including a nursery of swell shark pups. And boy oh boy did I fall in love with them! I have been an avid shark lover ever since.
The ocean has always been my muse. When you look at Kini Studio, you can see a heavy coastal influence. This brand was inspired by the natural elements of the beach and is intended to leave you with feelings of nostalgia. You can see this influence shine through our client work as well – Every brand we work with has a touch of Kini flare to it.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
My network and the relationships that I have formed with friends & family, co-workers, clients, etc. have naturally been the biggest resource for growing my customer base. I have found the most success with allowing these referrals to flow to me organically.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Honesty, authenticity, and communication – All three of these qualities go hand in hand. They are what have allowed me to build such strong relationships with my clients and partner vendors in the industry. I work with a select number of businesses to assure great customer service and a personalized experience. My style of communication & workflow is unique to my brand, and I think my clients appreciate how genuine it is!
Contact Info:
- Website: kini.studio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekinistudio/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolettesaracochran/
Image Credits
Natalie Borton and Anonym Agency