ENTREPRENEUR JOURNEY WITH KELLI FRANCE

ENTREPRENEUR JOURNEY WITH KELLI FRANCE

Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to a dear friend and an incredible marketer, Kelli France. We’ve known each other for about 15 years, and our journey began in the photography industry. Though I haven’t been active in photography for six years, our paths have intertwined in remarkable ways. In this episode, you will hear about Kelli’s remarkable entrepreneur journey and how she has found success in her business.

ABOUT KELLI

Kelli, who is always on brand, brings a vibrant pink explosion wherever she goes. She’s not only an amazing marketer but also a dedicated mom of four. Her kids, with their spicy and unique personalities, keep her life exciting. With only half of them at home now, she’s experiencing a new kind of craziness.

Kelli is a mindset and business coach for mompreneurs, a role she stepped into after a long career as a serial entrepreneur. Her journey started in photography, where she mentored photographers and even launched a photography school and magazine. Eventually, she transitioned into the direct sales industry, where she thrives today. Recently, Kelli launched a community for mompreneurs to combat the loneliness of entrepreneurship and wrote a book titled “One Goal for 100 Days”, which she completed in just 100 days to demonstrate the power of consistency and determination.

Kelli’s journey is a testament to the spirit of entrepreneurship. She’s an Enneagram 7, always eager to try new things and explore new ventures. This willingness to dabble has led her to many successful endeavors, including retreats and workshops in the photography industry, where she excelled in marketing and event planning.

PIVOTING TOWARDS SUCCESS

One of the key elements of Kelli’s success is her ability to pivot and adapt. Like many entrepreneurs, she started from humble beginnings. Growing up with a single mom in a trailer court and later grappling with six-figure student loans, Kelli’s determination to provide for her family has been a driving force. She recalls a moment of financial struggle when she had only $16 to buy groceries for her children. That experience became a turning point, propelling her to dive into different business ventures.

ENJOYING THE JOURNEY AS AN ENTPREPRENEUR 

Kelli’s entrepreneur journey underscores the importance of enjoying the process. Fun is a core value for her, and she firmly believes that if you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right. This philosophy has guided her through various pivots in her career. For example, last year, she and her daughter started a style Instagram account. Despite their excitement, they quickly realized it wasn’t their passion and decided to move on. Kelli sees failures not as setbacks but as feedback and opportunities to learn and grow.

MINDSET IS EVERYTHING

Entrepreneurship is not without its challenges. Statistics show that about 20% of small businesses fail in their first year, 30% in the second year, and 50% by year five. By eight years, around 70% of businesses have failed. Kelli emphasizes the importance of mindset in navigating these challenges. Staying motivated and resilient is crucial, as is the ability to pivot and try new things when necessary.

One of Kelli’s mantras is “fail it till you nail it.” She believes that if you’re not failing, you’re not trying. This mindset helps entrepreneurs overcome perfectionism and the fear of failure. Kelli often shares an analogy to illustrate this: when you’re in a plateau, it’s like riding a bike on even ground. You can coast for a while, but eventually, you need to start pedaling again to regain momentum. Similarly, in business, progress comes from continuous effort and movement, even if you don’t have all the answers right away.

Kelli’s experience as a dreamer and analytical thinker drives her to constantly envision new ventures and calculate their potential. However, she acknowledges that reality often falls short of expectations, which can be deflating. Over time, though, she has learned to embrace failure as part of the journey and to persist despite setbacks.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS

Kelli’s entrepreneur journey is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship is a long game. Building a brand and achieving success takes time, effort, and resilience. It’s important to stay grounded, keep learning, and be open to change. Sharing our failures and challenges keeps us connected and grounded, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles.

In conclusion, Kelli France’s journey from humble beginnings to successful entrepreneurship is an inspiring testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and a positive mindset. Her ability to pivot, embrace failure, and maintain a sense of fun and purpose in her work offers valuable lessons for all entrepreneurs. As we navigate our own business journeys, let’s remember Kelli’s advice: keep pedaling, embrace the process, and enjoy the ride.