Tips for Being A Fearless Entrepreneur—from Kemboocha's Kemiko Lawrence

Kemiko Lawrence is a force of nature. She’s the head brewer and owner of Atlanta’s Kemboocha, a mother of five, a health and wellness advocate, and a self-proclaimed yoga educator. We had the pleasure of meeting Kemiko at her yoga studio in Atlanta, GA, and her story of starting one of the few Black-owned kombucha businesses in the U.S. is incredibly inspiring. She was raised by a health-conscious mother, who exposed Kemiko to holistic healing; later, Kemiko discovered yoga on a search to de-stress from her then-corporate lifestyle in the tech industry; and a few years ago, she transitioned from home-based kombucha brewing to her commercial brand Kemboocha as an extension of her yoga and wellness studio, Harmony Wellness Angels.

Kemiko shares her tips for being a fearless leader exclusively with Kombucha Hunter.

photographed for Kombucha Hunter by Kristina Owens

Tip 1: Stay curious. A great leader is a student of his/her craft.
”I stay abreast of current trends and tools that can be used to make the process more efficient. I read, ask questions and connect with other brewers who are successful in commercial brewing.”

Tip 2: Be humble and kind.
”Although I have been brewing for 12 years, as a home brewer, my attitude is that I am always open to learning and growing from others. I know what I know, but I also am fully aware that I do not have all of the answers."

Tip 3: Take good care of yourself. Nourish your mind and body. Rest your mind and body.
”Self-care is paramount to who I am, in and out of business. I know that I cannot pour from an empty cup. It's important to practice daily self care. I always say, self care is not something you can wait until the weekend or your next vacation to practice. Self-care is a daily habit. "

Tip 4: Be flexible. Pivot when necessary.
”This comes from my years of practicing yoga. Being flexible in my body is directly correlated to my mental flexibility. I practice being flexible. It's a habit.”

Tip 5: Delegate. You can't do everything. 
”Teamwork makes the dream work. We are all meant to interact in the world with others. It's just like kombucha. There is a symbiotic relationship with our human counterparts. I know that I cannot carry the load of a successful business, be a wife, mother, and care for myself all by myself.  Build a team. Your team will support you and be key to you fulfilling your dreams."

BONUS TIP: Because I say this all the time: be a problem-solver. Seek solutions. 
”Life will always present challenges. We can either get bogged down with the fact that we have them, or choose to actively seek solutions. While we may not be able to directly resolve every problem, it's the attitude of seeking resolution that can make the difference.”