Meet Kimberli Davino-Wilson | Lead Generation Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberli Davino-Wilson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberli, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was “oh crap, what the heck am I getting myself into?” Like anyone starting out, I had no idea what I was doing, what I truly even wanted to do and if I could even make it happen. But regardless of being scared and unsure, deep down I knew it was something I wanted so badly. Something I wanted to prove to myself that I could do. Growing up, I wasn’t the best student. My parents always got called in for parent teacher meetings, my report cards were always hit or miss, and I think most of my teachers felt like giving up on me after a while. I really excelled when I got to college, but by then, I had lost total confidence in myself of ever being successful at anything. When I got a job as a behavior therapist, I was so proud. I felt like I actually made it, that I made everyone proud. But a few short years in, my health took a turn. And the whole 9-5 working for someone else, didn’t fit who I was anymore. I knew I needed to do something for myself. Even if it wasn’t considered the social norm. I needed to make my own rules, my own hours and be the person I answered to. To show myself my chronic illness was NOT going to rule my life, that I was strong enough to do something I love and be successful still. And that’s exactly what I did.

I have always had a love for writing, photography, social media, making connections and the entrepreneur world, so I took all of that and turned it into a social media management business. When I got my first client, I knew then and there, this was what I was supposed to be doing with my life. Of course, my business has changed a lot since I first started three years ago. I now offer different services, but it all falls into the same realm and I am just astonished and proud of my growth each year. I did it. I built my business, regardless of what negative things people had said to me along the way. Regardless of how crappy my health made me feel. I did it. I get to pick my hours, the days I work, who I work with and it is the most bad ass feeling ever.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a Lead Generation Specialist, which means, I help online service providers build a community, that is organic, genuine and filled with clients or customers they truly love. I take the task of engaging off their shoulders so they can focus on other aspects of their business while I warm up their audience so that when they are ready to sell something, whether a service or a product, their audience is in there waiting! It is so important as a business owner, to build these relationships with your audience. This is where they get to know you, you get to know them and trust is formed. And that is exactly what I help my clients achieve.

I think what sets me apart is that I am up front, honest and tell it how it is. In order to grow a business, it takes work. And although having a Lead Gen could really help you see growth, YOU still have to do your part! It’s a partnership when we work together. We both have to put in the work together, to see the results. I also genuinely care. I don’t just look for ‘clients’ to work with. I look for those who will become my friend too. We become a team, and I love your business as if it was my very own.

What I am most excited about and proud of, is the growth I see with my clients. Their wins, each week, is my most favorite thing to celebrate.

It wasn’t easy getting to where I am in my business. There were many tears, many nights of wanting to give up, many times I felt like, “WTF am I doing with my life?”. But the most beautiful things in life, aren’t easy to get to. In fact, without all the challenges and up and downs, I don’t think I would be where I am right now. When I started looking at my challenges as lessons, my mindset started shifting. When I stopped thinking there was a timeline I had to reach to be successful, my mindset started shifting. When I realized how important it was to fail every now and again, my mindset started shifting. It was within my mindset shifting where I found myself overcoming all the challenges thrown my way. And having people there for support too, whether it was my husband, friends, investing in business coaches for that extra support and help through those challenges!

I feel there are three big things I learned along the way: 1) I am strong and capable of doing whatever I set my mind to. 2) Evolving and shifting is IMPORTANT in your business. You don’t HAVE to stay doing the same thing forever. Outgrowing certain things is normal. So tweak those things when they start not feeling aligned anymore. 3) There will be people out there who want to see you fail. But there are also so many out there who want to see you succeed. Surround yourself with those kinds of people.

Hmm, what do I want the world to know about me? I fought hard to get to where I am. I am a total introvert. So coming out of my shell to take charge, run a business, actually interact with humans, and totally step out of my comfort zone, was not easy. Some days, I still struggle. Some days, are way harder than anyone will ever know. Some days, my health has me spiraling. But there is one thing I know, I always bounce back. And I always bounce back stronger than ever. And my hope is that, those who follow my story, feel the inspiration that they too, can bounce back from the hard things and do anything they set their mind to and fight for.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have had so much love and support these last three years of starting my business and creating this life I now live. My mom and dad certainly deserve a shout out. They are always reminding me how much they love me, how much they believe in me, telling me they are proud of me and giving me the best support you could ever ask for from your parents. I have had so many friends along the way (you all know who you are) who have also pushed me and supported me to never give up and keep going.

But there is one person who deserves the spotlight, because without this one person, I don’t think I would have ever had the opportunity to do what I am doing now. My husband. He has been my biggest cheerleader, supporter, the one who encourages me daily. He’s the one who supported us when I first started out and had nothing to give. Even if my ideas sounded crazy, he went with them. He let me learn. He shared his thoughts but always supported whatever I would end up choosing. He never gave up on me. It’s his excitement and the little smile he gives me whenever I tell him about a new client, or an idea I have in my business, that keeps me going. He is my biggest reason to keep going, keep succeeding, and to keep believing in ME.

Website: www.lifewithkimberli.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/alignedwithkimberli

Other: Stay tuned, a podcast will be coming in the VERY near future and some big business shifts + changes too! 😉

Image Credits
All pictures are my own!