Today we’d like to introduce you to K.D. Smith.
Hi K.D., can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Yeah, my name is Kirsten but almost anyone who knows me calls me K.D. So you all can too. I am a 30 year old entrepreneur, investor and environmental scientist from Birmingham, Alabama. I started Sol-Era Brand back in 2019 just as a way to create some extra side income for myself. I honestly didn’t think I would still be here today. 2018 was an incredibly rough year for me dealing with a lot of depression because of sickness, bad car accident, loss of job and I even almost lost my life at one point. So 2019 was the turning point year for me in terms of just building myself back up and even building a business. I never in a million years thought of having my sunglasses brand and then one day transforming it to include apparel, yet here I am. My story of how I got here is just as inspirational as some of the pieces you’ll find on our website or the stories of those who we’ve named some of our shades after.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s definitely been one big, gigantic rollercoaster filled with twists, turns, and nose dives. I can say right now is one of the many obstacles I’ve faced. Rebranding a business is just as difficult as starting a new one. In the beginning, it took me about a year before I could say I saw some semblance of success with the business and even still, I have had some slow months in between but I think that’s the beauty in entrepreneurship. You really have to get it out of the mud but the profits are endless in all the digging.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I created Sol-Era to be a black woman-owned sunglasses brand where we offer unique styles that are of the highest quality standard. Over the years, we have transformed and evolved into an inspirational eyewear and apparel brand. Our eyepieces are named after the many visionaries and dreamers of the past and present who you can draw inspiration from to reach your fullest potential or simply just to see the world through a different set of lenses. Our apparel serves as reminder to live life unapologetically you! Being your most authentic self and exploring your happy.
You can shop our site at solerabrand.com but be sure to give us a like and follow on all social platforms @solerabrand
How do you think about happiness?
Getting up every day knowing that my life has a purpose and a plan. Knowing that I get to do life and meet new people, have new experiences, and see new things every single day. Each and every day is an opportunity to create a new memory that I can cherish forever.
Pricing:
- All of our apparel start at just $25
- All of our shades start at $25
- We also have kids shades starting at $15
Contact Info:
- Website: www.solerabrand.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/solerabrand
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/solerabrand
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/solerabrand
Image Credits
CattEye Photography Living Colour Designs
