Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lucille A. DeHart, Founder of Yogassists and MKT Marketing Services LLC., located in Scotch Plains, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
MKT Marketing Services is a consulting and brand creation company focused on the retail industry and the development of unique, digitally native products. The company was established to allow for both self-funding investment wealth generation and the ability to exercise personal product passion projects. Our target audience is two-fold: clients seeking an experience brand, marketing strategy consultant, and consumers looking for products to hack life's little problems.
Tell us about yourself
I always said that I was a reluctant consultant, and I never set out to become a business owner/leader. Being a marketing executive in the retail industry during the pandemic created a default opportunity for me to do something else during my transition period. I have always been in marketing and held executive-level roles at major brands like TUMI, Ralph Lauren, Maidenform, and Bed Bath & Beyond. I have managed all aspects of marketing and even spent time at a direct response (ASTV) company.
At one moment during my unemployment, I recall being in an outdoor yoga class when the instructor offered less flexible students the option to grab their pant leg if they could not reach their ankles directly. At that moment, I thought, hmmm, someone should come up with some yoga accessories that can hack these little challenges. Then I said, well, since I'm not up to anything, and I have spent over 25 years doing these things for other brands, why don't I try? So I did. I wanted to be able to fund my own venture, so I took on some higher-paid consulting projects, and the rest is history.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I'd say, doing it. Seriously, just having done everything from finding an attorney to set up an LLC, establishing separate accounting practices, creating my own websites, finding a product engineer, fulfillment center, insurance, and everything else has been pretty rewarding. I can say, if nothing else, I did it.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Prioritization. My days get absorbed by tasks, not defining and executing against my strategies and goals. Finding and maintaining time to think, plan and sell has been the hardest for me.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't overthink everything. No one really has all of the answers, and you are just as capable.
- Learn to say yes and figure things out as you go. I said no a few times early on and regretted missing the opportunities.
- Ask for help. We all have a personal and professional network available to us, and we need to be able to reach out to them—you will find that they are very willing to help.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website:
https://yogassists.myshopify.com/
https://mktmarketingservices.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084038725227
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucy.yogassists/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucydehart/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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