Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrice Thompson and KaShirah Thompson-Monroe.
Hi Katrice and KaShirah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ll never forget the night God gave me this vision. I was at a very low point in my life- mentally and financially. I know we’ve all been there before. I remember just talking to God telling him I was empty. I remember crying out asking him to make my Purpose clear to me. Through the years- I’ve attempted several different businesses. I had some success and I had some failures. That’s one thing about being an Entrepreneur- YOU CAN’T BE AFRAID TO FAIL! I remember crying and praying and that night when I went to sleep- God showed me the vision the form of a dream. It was about 3 am in the morning and I just got up and started to write ideas and a plan. I was so excited that morning that I called my daughter- who at the time was in Nursing school working towards her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing to tell her about the vision. She’s since then graduated, passed her boards, and she’s enjoying her career as a Nurse. I told her that I wanted us to do this together and she immediately jumped on board. After being in the Healthcare field for two decades and giving so much to my patients, past staff, families, and mentees that I’ve had through the years- God had given me a vision where I could incorporate four of things that I love most- Healthcare, Fashion, Traveling and Giving Back and that’s how GLAM SCRUBWEAR evolved. Our Mission is to introduce an innovative and fashionable breakthrough to the Healthcare world by providing the most trendy, stylish, and comfortable uniforms while merging with new futuristic concepts in workwear. Glam Scrubwear prides in allowing healthcare professionals of all races, cultural backgrounds, sizes, and shapes wear dual-purpose uniforms in the workplace with confidence, style, and grace. I didn’t know much about the Healthcare Fashion/ Merchandising Business but I started to do research to learn that it was a 10 billion Dollar Industry. It has always been my dream to have great Wealth- but not for personal gain but for the blessing I could be to others. I’ve always had a “HEART” to “SERVE and GIVE”. The more and more I researched and I would seek God for guidance – the more I could see things coming to fruition and the vision become clearer. My daughter and I (Kash) who is my business partner and I came up with a way to include “GIVING BACK” and that’s how the GIFTS OF GLAM Initiative came into play. I truly believe if instead of starting a business to make money- You start a Business to MAKE A DIFFERENCE- You’ll NEVER fail.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road (laughing), but we have been appreciative of every experience both good and bad. We have learned from each one, that’s just how it is when you are starting a new business- you sort of learn as you go. Some of our struggles have been finding a satisfactory vendor, shipping times, and so on. No matter what obstacles we face- we keep the MINDSET that no matter what- We will overcome any and every obstacle. We are DETERMINED to WIN… Bottom line!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Throughout my NURSING CAREER…. I’ve given myself UNSELFISHLY to others. NURSING is NOT just a JOB… It’s a calling It’s sacrifice… It’s long hours…sometimes it’s going without breaks or eating. Sometimes it’s putting your patients before your own loved ones. Sometimes it’s spending Holidays without your family because you’re at work……and if I had it to do all over again… I would do it a thousand times Why? Because you’re doing GOD’S WORK- You’re BEING A BLESSING TO SOMEONE ELSE…. and throughout the Years- I’ve realized that the Biggest Blessing is in GIVING… not receiving.
I’ve been blessed to wear many hats and to be able to TOUCH LIVES in so many ways… As a Nurse… As a Facility Administrator…a Supervisor/Manager… As a Boss…As a Patient Advocate… As an instructor…..as a Co-Worker & now CEO of our own Company (GLAM SCRUBWEAR) along with my daughter Kash.
I am so grateful to GOD for the opportunities He’s given me throughout the years & all the beautiful people I’ve met throughout my career, the patients, the families, my students, my staff, my peers & all the lives God allowed me to touch. The patient’s I’ve Prayed with, cried with, and laughed with… Memories I’ll always cherish.
One thing I can truly say… Is I don’t care how anyone has ever treated me… I don’t care what I was dealing with outside of work… I always showed up with a SMILE on my face, a POSITIVE ATTITUDE & a BEAUTIFUL HEART.
Kash- being that I am a new Nurse I am in the beginning of my career- it has truly been a life-changing experience. The fact that I get to be a blessing to others daily truly makes me feel good. I absolutely love what I do and I plan to advance in my career and my studies. My major goals include our company Glam Scrubwear becoming the #1 medical uniform company in the world.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
1) Be Passionate Love whatever your business is about and be fired up about it. You’re going to devote a lot of time and energy to starting a business and building it into a successful enterprise, so it’s really important that you truly deeply enjoy what you do.
2) Start While You Are Still Employed
How long can most people live without money? Not long. And it may be a long time before your new business actually makes any profits. Being employed while you’re starting a business means money in your pocket while you’re going through the start-up process.
3) Don’t Do it Alone
You need a support system while you’re starting a business (and afterward). A family member or friend that you can bounce ideas off and who will listen sympathetically to the latest business start-up crisis is invaluable. Even better, find a mentor or, if you qualify, apply for a business start-up program. When you’re starting a business experienced guidance is the best support system of all.
4) Get Clients or Customers Lined Up
Don’t wait until you’ve officially started your business to line these up, because your business can’t survive without them. Do the networking. Make the contacts. Sell or even give away your products or services. You can never start marketing too soon.
5) Write a Business Plan
The main reason for doing a business plan first when you’re thinking of starting a business is that it can help you avoid sinking your time and money into starting a business that will not succeed.
6) Do Your Research
You’ll do a lot of research writing a business plan, but that’s just a start. When you’re starting a business, you need to become an expert on your industry, products, and services if you’re not already. Joining related industry or professional associations before you start your business is a great idea.
7) Get Professional Help
On the other hand, just because you’re starting a business, doesn’t mean you have to be an expert on everything. If you’re not an accountant or bookkeeper, hire one (or both). If you need to write up a contract, and you’re not a lawyer, hire one. You will waste more time and possibly money, in the long run, trying to do things yourself that you are not qualified to do.
8) Make Sure the Money Is Lined Up
Save up if you have to. Approach potential investors and lenders. Figure out your financial fallback plan. Don’t expect to start a business and then walk into a bank and get money. Traditional lenders don’t like new ideas and don’t like businesses without proven track records.
9) Be Professional
Everything about you and the way you do business needs to let people know that you are a professional running a serious business. That means getting all the accouterments such as professional business cards, a business phone, and a business email address, and treating people in a professional, courteous manner.
10) Get the Legal and Tax Issues Correct the First Time
It’s much more difficult and expensive to unsnarl a mess afterward. Does your business need to be registered? Will you have to charge GST or PST? Will you have to have Workers’ Compensation Insurance or deal with payroll taxes? How will the form of business ownership you choose affect your income tax situation? Learn what your legal and tax responsibilities are before you start your business and operate accordingly.
Following the business tips above will make starting your new business both a smoother, less stressful process and go a long way towards ensuring the business you start lasts and thrives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.glamscrubwear.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/glamscrubwear
