Interview with Shauna Mackenzie

We had the pleasure of interviewing Shauna Mackenzie about her life and career. Shauna is a passionate entrepreneur and the founder & editor-in-chief of Best Kept Self – an online resource to help you become the person you’ve always wanted to become.

#1) For those who aren’t familair with you, please give a brief introduction of yourself.

I’ve been self-employed for the past 8 years, initially starting my career as an image consultant. After a couple years working with clients, I sought a way to scale and entered the training side of my industry where I developed online courses for aspiring image consultants. This has grown into an online certification school that runs four courses throughout the year.

My passion project is Best Kept Self  which is an online platform for busy women to get the resources, inspiration, and action plans they need to feel, look, and live like their very best selves. Best Kept Self publishes content daily from writers all over the country and also offers our audience a quarterly subscription box service filled with products to nourish the mind, body, and soul.

 

#2) It’s very impressive to see you started your first business at the age of 22. What were your first major steps in that process? What were your fears and how did you overcome them?

My first steps were to reach out to those already working in the industry. I spent quite a bit of time researching, emailing, and trying to get on the phone with as many people “doing it” as I could. I knew that if I could get some insight, I’d know the next proper steps to take.

This is going to sound arrogant but I can’t really say I had any fear when I began – I was so headset on making it work and I was incredibly passionate about my path. However, the deeper you delve into entrepreneurship (and probably the older I get) I find that that’s when fear really starts to creep in and has to be managed. I think fear always boils down to failure or being judged.

#3) What advice you give to other young entrepreneurs or people who are considering taking the leap towards starting a business?

Don’t overthink it or get stuck in analysis paralysis. I see far too many people get perpetually stuck in the planning stages and never take the leap. Also, find a mentor or someone that inspires you. Be careful that you don’t try to be them, but instead use them as an accountability partner to help you think big on a regular basis.

#4) What mistakes do you see that many entrepreneurs or business owners make and what could they do differently?

Not giving themselves enough value. Whether it is not self-promoting enough or not charging enough for their product or service. Pricing is always a struggle but what’s more so a struggle is being confident in the price you set on yourself, your time, and your energy. You have a valuable gift to give the world – you deserve the value associated with it.

#5) How is attitude and mindset important when it comes to running or starting your own business?

Attitude and mindset is everything. It will literally make or break you and your business. If you don’t think you can do it, you won’t. It’s as simple as that. You have to manage your self-talk every. single. day. and it can be really difficult. This goes back to stepping into your value and knowing your worth.

#6) Considering your’re an imgage consultant, how would you weave in the concept that as a business owner you
are “always marketing yourself.”?

Always marketing yourself is key, regardless of my image consulting background. No matter what your profession is, you are always marketing yourself. In personal life as well, you are always marketing yourself. We are built to be judgmental human beings. We can’t help but associate perceptions about every single person we meet. Knowing this, you have the ability to market yourself how you want to a certain degree so long as it’s authentic of course.

#7) What has been the biggest challenge you have overcome as an entrepreneur and also what has been the most rewarding thing you have done?

The biggest challenge is productivity at this point. There’s so much to do, I want to do, and to get done. Knowing when and how to delegate is absolutely crucial and even though I’ve had a team for years now, I still find myself struggling to delegate as I should. It’s important that an entrepreneur knows where they are spending their time and how they are spending it. Only until you do an audit will you know what you can pass off.

The most reward thing is synonymous with this – it’s hiring my first employee. It was really a turning point for my business where I finally felt like I had made it. And incredibly rewarding because this person stuck it out with me for years as an intern, apprentice, contractor then finally employee. It’s pretty incredible to find someone that loyal who believes in you and much as you believe in the end goals you’re working so hard for.

#8) Where can someone contact you for more information or coaching?

I can be reached at Shauna@BestKeptSelf.com if they’d like to drop me a message or inquire about coaching. I specialize in helping overwhelmed aspiring entrepreneurs solidify their business model and move forward quickly. If any entrepreneur is feeling stuck or that they’re not moving forward fast enough, I can help.