The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Like many small business owners, I’ve navigated uncertainty, self-doubt and the challenge of backing myself creatively. Learning how to market in a rapidly changing digital landscape, finding my niche and having the courage to stand out rather than blend in has been both terrifying and exhilarating.
Taking those leaps of faith, especially when you have a family relying on you, requires resilience and trust. Those experiences have shaped how I work and reinforced the importance of boundaries, sustainability and kindness, both to myself and to others.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The greatest pro is autonomy – choosing how I work, who I work with and the values that guide my business. There’s a lot of satisfaction in creating something meaningful and seeing the impact it has on people’s lives.
The flip side is that responsibility sits squarely with you – creatively, emotionally and practically. To do the work I love, I’ve had to learn how to run a business, and especially how to market it. Neither of those come naturally to me, and talking about myself has never been my comfort zone. But I’ve learned to lean into that discomfort, with the right people around me, so I can keep doing work that feels purposeful and aligned.
Running a business alongside raising a young child has also given me a lot of perspective – and a healthy sense of humour about the juggle.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
Gosh, who ever really knows what’s next. The one thing I know is that life is pretty unexpected. But what I do know is that I’m continuing to deepen my work in meaningful ceremony, refining my craft and supporting people through life’s milestones in thoughtful, intentional ways.
I’m also getting to do some of the things I’ve dreamed about for a long time: creating ceremonies around Australia and overseas, in beautiful and unexpected places, and working with people who trust me to create unforgettable ceremonies and help bring their dreams to life. Alongside that, I’m continuing to tell stories in other creative spaces, which is super exciting too.
At the heart of it all is the same steady thread though: connection, love, storytelling and creating unforgettable moments that stay with people.
Visit the www.onlylove.com.au to find out more, and connect with Kimberley on Facebook and Instagram.
