RP Female Founder Series: Katie Farnan

RP FEMALE FOUNDER SERIES QUESTIONS:

1. What inspired you to start your business and become an entrepreneur?

As long as I can remember I have always wanted to start my own clothing business. Even when I was a kid and learned to sew, I knew then that I wanted to design clothes and dress people for a living. What made me actually take the leap and start my own label was a moment when I was about to turn 30 and working in a job that I no longer wanted to be in based on the structure and lack of leadership from the C-level team. I knew I needed a shift but wanted to stay in the industry. I kept dancing around the idea and after exhausting myself for months I just went for it and launched KF. 

2. How and why did you become an entrepreneur? Was it something you always intended for yourself? 

Yes! I think the ‘why’ is very similar to most peoples' stories in that I wanted to be my own boss. I do believe the reason has to be deeper than just that and comes from a passion that really fuels your soul, and for me that was creating something out of nothing. I have always loved sewing and designing, and the moments I have felt my best was when I was building something. 

3. What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a business owner? How did / do you handle these challenges? 

Time management, consistency and being a self starter. I truly believe if you don’t have these three attributes it will be super hard to start and sustain your own business. These have been the biggest challenges for me but also my biggest moments of growth and self realization. No one is going to tell you to reach out to a new store to partner with. No one is going to tell you to post that social media post or sell that next garment to pay for rent, fabric, contractors, seo, etc. Scheduling out my days has been the best way to handle these challenges. If I don’t schedule my day ahead of time, things seem to go haywire. 

4. What sort of support networks do you think are important to create/have?

My biggest support system is my boyfriend. I truly believe if you and your partner are not on the same page about schedules, goals and needs, it will be super hard to put time, money and effort into a growing business. I also have a group of amazing women in my office that I adore. We each run different businesses but support each other 100%. Industry support is also super important. As a business owner if you can find like minded groups to work with and bounce ideas off of it will not only grow your business but nurture your creativity while expanding your network.

5. What advice were you given when you first started your business that has stuck with you? 

‘No’s’ are inevitable but don’t let it stop you. Personally, I hate hearing no so this was a learning curve for me, but each day is new a chance to start from square one. 

6. How do you handle your work/life balance?

It is more of a work/ life integration. My boyfriend is an entrepreneur as well so it is a little easier, but I also believe heavily in down time and doing other activities to ‘fill the well’ of creativity. 

7. What advice would you give other women that are thinking about becoming entrepreneurs & starting their own business? 

Just go for it. Stop stalling and just do it. There is always going to be a million question marks but you have to begin somewhere. I promise, you will figure it out as you go. You don’t know what you don’t know until you put yourself out there and learn. 

8. What’s next for your business? 

Our SS23 Collection is coming out soon and we are growing our KFHOME label with new offerings and fabric choices for each season. We are loving the ‘interior decor’ pivot in creating something new for the brand.

RP RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS:

1. Do you prefer staying in or going out? 

Kind of stuck in the middle. I love an amazing dinner out which turns into drinks, but a cozy night in watching movies is amazing! 

2. What’s your guilty pleasure snack? 

Omg so many but I'll only name a few. Pizza Combos, Taco bell, and Cheetos cheese puffs. 

3. Early bird or night owl?

Night owl. 

4. What superpower would you choose for yourself? 

To fly. 

5. If you weren’t in this line of work, what career would you want to pursue? a. 100% would own a flower shop. 

100% would own a flower shop.

6. Ideal vacation - Mountains or Beach? 

Beach everytime. 

7. What was your last impulse purchase? 

I just came across a gorgeous Golden Goose winter coat and had to have it. Super long, glen plaid fabric with yellow paint splatter. 

8. Name another female founder we should know. 

Valentina Juncaj - Founder of vajze, a jewelry line based in Detroit,Michigan.