In an Entrepreneur track breakout session at the 2024 Soirée Women’s Leadership Symposium, three female business owners shared their unique insights on launching a business. The session featured panelists Kendalynn Bolton of KB’s Love by the Pound, Laura Westlake of Laura B Luxury and Sara Hurst of Bella’s Kitchen & Wellness, moderated by Erika Gee of Wright, Lindsey & Jennings.
Their businesses were all born from obstacles that arose in their lives.
“The pandemic hit, and my husband lost his job,” Bolton said. “We had just bought a house. I started baking and taking the food to church and people told me I should start selling them.”
Watching a movie where a woman sold baked goods to pay her mortgage was just the sign Bolton needed to start monetizing.
“I set it up to be like a side hustle, but it turned into a full-on business,” Bolton said.
After working for Robertson Fine Jewelry for 20 years, Westlake had to pivot when the family retired and closed the business.
“We were like, ‘What are we going to do?’” Westlake said. “We love our clients, and we love our industry. I knew I didn’t want a traditional retail store, so we came up with a concept to keep doing what we do in a different way.”
Bella’s Kitchen & Wellness began as a response to a personal predicament.
“When my daughter began eating solids, I couldn’t find any fresh meals for toddlers at the time, so I said, ‘Let’s do it,’” Hurst said. “It then transitioned into doing family meals for others, and then we were approached by several schools to make meals for students.”
When asked to share advice for other women considering launching a business, the women all homed in on boldness.
“When launching your business, put your blinders on,” Bolton said. “Focus on what you’re doing, what you are and what your goal is. And don’t worry about the naysayers on the outside. Put yourself out there.”
“Word of mouth is the best thing for any business,” Westlake said. “It’s hard. I don’t like being the center of anything, but you must get out there and tell everybody about you. Network and talk about your business.”
Hurst advised getting guidance from mentorship programs like The Venture Center.
“I came in and showed them my business plan and they helped me with market research and showed me what other businesses were doing and what I was doing — not just here locally, but nationwide.”
Bolton agreed.
“My mentor listens to me and lets me pour out all my dreams and fears,” Bolton said. “She redirects me, celebrates me and coaches me. Mentorship is key.”
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