Today we’d like to introduce you to Kernita Butler Heard.
Hi Kernita, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
In 2021, I realized that my life was moving so fast, there was not a moment to myself to enjoy it or intentionally spend time with my family. There were personal goals that I had, but no time to fully focus on them. I leaned heavily on God and asked him to show me what He wanted me to do and to bring peace into my life… He did. I quit my corporate job that year, and by summer 2022, I owned a brick-and-mortar Downtown Conroe. Almost August boasts our handcrafted products, to include but not limited to soaps, candles, body butters, linen sprays, and other times to help persons create a relaxing environment in their own homes. After neglecting myself for so many years, I grew to know the heavy importance of self-care and wanted to share that with others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wish… yet, if it had been, I would have learned so little! I didn’t have a business mentor. I had no one to hold my hand through permits, licensing, business planning, financial planning – the list goes on, but these are things I had to learn on my own. Learning how to market my business in person came with being at markets and pop-ups around the city every chance I got was exhausting and brutal during the summer months. Being consistent on social media and learning an algorithm that constantly changes is still something I struggle with. Managing business life while juggling being a mom of three and a wife has had its challenges, all of which I would do again.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I learned to make soap in 2016 after purchasing my first handcrafted bar and learning how different it was from what I usually purchased in the store firsthand. I decided to teach myself how to make it on my own. Looking back, my first bars were not the best, but my kind family and close friends supported me. Soap making grew into candle making and other handcrafted products. Almost August is known for the quality of our products and the manner in which they are packaged. Life can be exhausting, so at the end of the day, when you open up a soap bar or light a candle, I want you to feel like you are gifting or rewarding yourself with something well-deserved.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, and don’t be afraid of rejection. I always say, “You are already at a ‘no,’ so what do you have to lose?” I’ve been told ‘no’ many times in polite and impolite ways. I’ve felt rejected more times than I can count, to the point it no longer affects me like it used to. Anything you want in life, you must work hard for, almost with a bit of audacity. Rarely does it come easy. Never, ever call anything a failure; you either learn from experiences or attain your goal. I’ve been to markets where I made $80 in a day BUT in speaking with other people by business gained exposure, and some monumental outcomes have followed. Stay focused, stay within the will of God, and let everyone know that what He’s done for you so they can know how faithful He is.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.almostaugust.shop
- Instagram: seeyouinaugust
- Facebook: seeyouinaugust
