Kelly Parker Smith: Owner & Creative Director of Hello World Paper Co
On today's show, I have Kelly Parker Smith, Owner & Creative Director of Hello World Paper Co, located in Belleville, Illinois.Kelly and I started working together earlier this year and guys, this woman does it all! She not only runs a product-based business selling customized stamps and laser engraved goods, but she's also the co-host of the popular podcast Creative Biz Rebellion, designs fabrics and illustrations, runs online courses and workshops for creative entrepreneurs...the list continues!Kelly and I talk about how she started Hello World Paper Co, what it's like living with a chronic illness and how she manages her autoimmune disease while running a business, what she thinks people misconceive about being an entrepreneur and a whole lot more.Excited for you to tune in and hope you enjoy!
Kelly Parker Smith | Owner & Creative Director of Hello World Paper Co
Show notes
In today's episode, you'll find out:
- How Kelly started Hello World Paper Co and the steps she took to quit her full-time job as a teacher.
- How she balances all of the different projects she has her hand in and how to set up systems for your business (or life!).
- Advice she would give to anyone who wants to start a product-based business.
- The struggles she's had as someone living with a chronic illness and advice for anyone listening who currently struggles with having an autoimmune disease.
- What she thinks people misconceive about being a product based small business owner and an entrepreneur.
Kelly Parker Smith is a laser engraving wizard and fabric designer living just outside St. Louis with her husband, her three boys and their rescue kitten Katniss. She has grown her shop, Hello World Paper Co. with the idea that great products become even better when paired with top-notch customer service, a little surprise and delight, and of course the perfect packaging!
You can also find Kelly co-hosting the Creative Biz Rebellion podcast where she and Caroline Hull show other product-based business owners how to build, maintain, and grow a profitable product based business through their podcast and online courses.
In her free time, Kelly enjoys painting and drawing on her iPad Pro. She also loves to read young adult novels (preferably with vampires and wizards), watch her sons play sports, and will see any superhero movie as long as her 7-year-old snuggles with her.
Key takeaways from this episode
[bctt tweet="I think everyone is so focused on doing things the way everyone else does it. - Kelly Parker Smith" via="no"][bctt tweet="I'm a very creative person but I'm also like routines and structure. - Kelly Parker Smith" via="no"]I could only eat string cheese and applesauce for weeks at a time. I was very, very sick. - Kelly Parker Smith[bctt tweet="One allergic reaction I had landed me in the hospital for a week because they thought I had a flesh-eating disease. - Kelly Parker Smith" via="no"]Once I left [my job] and got rid of that stress, my symptoms have improved so much. - Kelly Parker Smith[bctt tweet="Listen to your body. Rest when you need to rest. Don't push yourself to the point where you're getting sick. - Kelly Parker Smith" via="no"]You can't get more upset at yourself if you're not feeling good one day. - Kelly Parker Smith[bctt tweet="With Chron's disease, your joints are affected. There are some days my joints hurt so bad that I can barely walk. - Kelly Parker Smith" via="no"]When I feel good and I can do good work, then that's when you need to be the most focused. - Kelly Parker SmithMy biggest piece of advice would be to just start something. It doesn't have to be perfect in the beginning. - Kelly Parker Smith[bctt tweet="With Chron's disease, your joints are affected. There are some days my joints hurt so bad that I can barely walk. - Kelly Parker Smith" via="no"]
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