3 things you should have before starting a business (that nobody tells you), by KP

Here are three things you should have before starting a business that nobody will tell you.

Before I tell you these three things here’s a bit about myself: I founded Kate and Mae with my younger sister Mae in July 2020 at the young ages of 14 and 9. I wanted to start a business, and once I saw pearls at a craft store, I knew it had to be jewelry; Mae wanted in, so we called it Kate and Mae.

We knew we couldn’t run a business if it didn’t have a mission and purpose that we were passionate about, so after a few months, we decided to inspire girls to shine their light.

We believe shining your light is using what you are good at and gifted in to help those around you. Our mission is the basis of our whole company. This has led to a brand ambassador program completely different than anyone else’s, popups that make impacts, and products that encourage. We want our customers to be reminded when they wear our jewelry to shine just as bright as it and we like to make that a challenge with 24k gold and high-quality materials.

Starting a business has been one of the most rewarding and fun things either of us have done. 

Now for the tips, to start we are currently 18 and 13 years old, I started this business just out of middle school. I had never taken a business class before, and I had little knowledge of anything business but I had a passion and I was determined to make it happen.

I started off googling everything. I would google “how to start a business” and then every term that came from that list.

I made the website and started Instagram. I watched every YouTube video imaginable. I signed up for newsletters, sent email inquiries, and did anything else that would give me a little bit more information.

The things that were most impactful on my journey weren’t a class I took, a tool I used, or a person with all the expertise coaching me through but it was character skills I learned through the process.

These three things will help set you up to start a small business.

First, it all started with passion. Passion has been the solution to my burnout, perseverance, and one of the ways we have been as successful as we are. When sales are down or we are spending the entire night packing for a pop-up after the countless other activities we are involved in, the love for the business and its mission is what keeps us going.

My advice to have a passion for your business is to do something you love that helps other people. It’s hard to give up on something you love and even harder to give up on something you know is making a positive impact on others. When times are tough I can look back on pop-up pictures and kind messages from our customers as a reminder of the reason for the company.

The second is positivity,  I believe having a positive reaction to everything has helped me be a better leader and business owner. Leading people in a positive way changes the environment, as a leader you set the room and reactions. I’ve lived and worked with both mindsets and a positive one has always yielded the best results.

Last is a growth mindset, the way you perceive situations is more important than the actual situation. I have learned so much about starting a business and it has changed me for the better in so many ways.

Knowing that every failure is a learning opportunity turns failure into a lesson. That has removed the fear of trying new things, hard things, and those outside my comfort zone. Over time I’ve learned that the things that are most out of my comfort zone have been the ones that have grown me the most. You have the power to let a situation grow you or tear you down, it’s up to you.

These are 3 things that I have developed that I believe have helped me succeed in having a small business and growing it. If you have a business idea I challenge you to pursue it with passion, positivity, and a growth mindset!

Good luck and shine your light! XO Kate Parsons, CEO and Co-Founder of Kate and Mae Jewelry

This article was written for yooou! by 18 year old, KP. To read another article from KP, click here.

Click here to follow Kate and Mae Jewelry on Instagram or visit their website, www.kateandmae.com.