Today we’d like to introduce you to Kae Gruner.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started this journey in Cleveland, OH as an intellectual property lawyer (the kind of law that protects ideas). I noticed that friends started sliding into my DM’s to ask questions about their new business ideas, and every conversation would be filled with an electric and joyful energy. I realized that people light up about the possibility of bringing their ideas to life (and I loved being a part of that). Coffee date after coffee date led me to begin dreaming up ways to put the right “DIY” tools into the hands of anybody who wanted to give entrepreneurship a try but didn’t know where to start.
Now living in Atlanta, I recently gave birth to my first baby in Spring 2019. The long days & sleepless nights of maternity leave gave me a chance to put pen to paper while not worrying about my 9-5 work obligations. As I breastfed & brainstormed, I spent hours crafting prompts and curating information to guide future entrepreneurs to answer the key questions they didn’t know they needed to ask in order to build a new business.
After pouring my heart into this project, I created an interactive guided business planning workbook that simplifies the process of getting a new business idea out of your head, onto the page, and into the market. My mission with Start Up Heart Up is to bring entrepreneurship to all, both through the “Idea to Launch” workbook, as well as my other “DIY” tools & empowerment so that the lack of confidence, time, or money no longer keeps anybody from pursuing their business dreams.
Has it been a smooth road?
Like so many dreamers out there, my work with Start Up Heart Up is my “side hustle”, taking priority only after my family, my day job, and my well-being. Sometimes the biggest struggle is simply recognizing that it’s OK that I can’t “do it all” and remembering that a little bit of imperfect action is better than no action. Another struggle is being mindful of the moments where the business can wait and where rest is actually the most productive thing I can knock off my to-do list.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Start Up Heart Up – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Start Up Heart Up is what I call a cozy home for the “everyday” entrepreneur. We provide a community, a podcast, and highly curated resources that are intentionally “DIY” for the busy dreamer to finally get their business idea off the ground without spending hours on research (or thousands on business courses). We believe strongly in the power of the pen, literally. Our workbooks and journals (designed + printed in Atlanta) encourage entrepreneurs to unplug from their devices and let their creativity flow onto paper. They can hold their developing business plan in their hands, take it along in their purse, or keep it on their nightstand. Unlike a standard empty notebook or journal, these pages include the roadmap and tools for taking meaningful steps towards a strong business strategy and successful business launch. We also offer free live training on Instagram on business contracts for small business owners trying to understand the legal risks and liabilities of running a business.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the unique neighborhoods and spaces around Atlanta. You can easily move from vibe to vibe all around the city and create a diverse community both at work and at home. Also, the food + drink scene is incredible and seemingly limitless! What I like least is, of course, the traffic.
Pricing:
- The workbook is $28, as affordable as possible to encourage anybody exploring entrepreneurship to go for it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.startupheartup.com
- Email: hello@startupheartup.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/startupheartup
- Facebook: facebook.com/startupheartup
Image Credit:
Sophia Brommet
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