MEET LAKAY FI
FOUNDED BY
FILLETTE LOVAINCY
LOCATION: Somerville, MA
@lakayfi.crafts
THE INTERVIEW
Written by Boston Women’s Market
Boston Women’s Market: Can you tell us a bit about what led you to begin your journey with Lakay Fi? Was there an aha! Moment?
Fillette: I started my business venture during covid quarantine. It began as a stress reliever and a way to manage my time. I was exploring more creative hobbies such as crocheting, painting and learning to use a cricut. This alone gave me an outlet, provided a positive distraction. I was learning how to do these things from other small business owners and makers on youtube when I realized I can do this too. This was my first ah ha moment. From there I started into the rabbit hole of research on how to start and maintain a small business. Figuring what crafts I want to share with customers. What tools, supplies and setups I would need. My second ah ah moment came when I started making items and family and friends were buying them from me. I realized then “oh we are really doing this”. Almost surprised at myself, feeling like it is really happening and seeing I can do it.
BWM: For many women starting out in the entrepreneurial world, there can be a lot of self-doubt. Do you have any personal stories about how you conquered self-doubt? What guidance would you give to others?
Fillette: Starting anything new there is always a little fear or a little self doubt. Thinking about whether people will buy my products, can I actually do this, can i afford this financially and physically with my time and schedule. I definitely felt that but after my first pop up event I realized there will be people interested in my brand and my products. However, they will also be people who won’t and that is okay. I think much of the self doubt was coming from a place of perfectionism. I wanted everything perfect, I wanted everyone to like and buy from me but once I found my niche and my market, the customers were there and came to buy from me. I had to get past some of that expectation and focus on what my brand is and was going to be, focused on my niche and my market. In doing so I was also able to better craft and appeal to customers and be consistent in what I was offering.
I find joy in people loving my products but I am also investing a lot of time and money and it is important that I am also investing in myself.
BWM: A mentor can play an integral role in someone’s career progression and personal growth. Did you have a mentor that influenced where you are today?
Fillette: I had several people who I considered mentors on this journey. My brother, Ronelson, working in product management, a family friend Malkin Champlain; entrepreneur and author, Latoya Robertson; a speaker and entrepreneur and the support of many family and friends. I’ve had hours of conversations taking notes, getting resources and getting support and input on things I want to do or design. One mentor helped me realize how starting a business there must be strong intentions, not just from my business but how I want my business to impact my future, my life overall. I find joy in people loving my products but I am also investing a lot of time and money and it is important that I am also investing in myself. Ensuring I am growing and learning along the way to make a better future for me. Additionally, having a mentor also helps you navigate not just the road to success but how to approach challenges and failures. I think we often focus on the success side of things but the challenges and failures happen too. These are what push us to think beyond and more intentionally moving forward. When running a business primarily on your own, it can feel like the worst thing when you mess up but mentors not only remind you that you're human and make mistakes but also help you navigate them to do better and be better.
BWM: Many women begin their small business journey as a way to seek fulfillment they may not be getting in their 9-5 job. Others aren't sure where to begin and need help "digging deeper" to find what it is that fills their cup. What are some steps someone can take today to begin that journey of discovery?
Fillette: One thing that has helped me is finding things I am good at that are separate from my everyday job. Before landing on what my business is today, I tried and went through many different products to sell, coasters, keychains, cake toppers, different bags and totes, different kinds of drinkware. Each of these items has different methods of making and designing. Through all of this trial and error, I discovered what I enjoyed, what I was good at, and what would be useful and durable for my customers. Most importantly, I learned what I can currently manage and maintain and how I want to expand. Being flexible and adaptable throughout the journey is the key; be willing to try new things AND be willing to let things go.
BWM: Do you have a favorite moment so far with Lakay Fi? Where you really felt like you were on the right path?
Fillette: My favorite moments have been 1. My first custom major company order. I felt I was on the right path because it was my largest order with a design that required personalization on each item. It was the first time navigating using certain features within my POS system such as creating an invoice and working with a tax exempt company. Doing it with ease gave me the confidence to know that I am running a business in all aspects. My second favorite moment comes from joining BWM. With BWM, having access to such amazing opportunities such as the vendor markets has helped me grow and connect with other vendors and it is comforting going to various vendors markets and seeing other vendors you have met along the way. Another highlight to the opportunities, within my first year with BWM, I made the largest amount in sales through a market that was at assembly row. I had tried some new things, had some new products and it was a true success. I am greatly appreciative for this community.
BWM: From one small business owner to another, what is your favorite go-to business tool or resource you can recommend to our community?
Fillette: Canva pro! Social media can be alot to manage but the use of canva especially the pro version allows you to set up your business brand kit, colors, fonts, logos etc. so any time you make flyers, posts, etc everything can match and is easily accessible. Not just from your laptop or computer but ipad and phone too. You can make simple posts or more interactive ones with transitions, videos and animation. Additionally you can start from scratch or use any template design. Whether it is for instagram, business cards, a powerpoint, banners, or flyers, you can make things of any size for anything. Being that I do all of this myself and my time can but limited, this is both efficient and enables creativity in my marketing. This is also where I draft my designs before bringing them to life. I am very much a visual learner, sometimes I sketch my design ideas by hand but canva allows me to play around with color, fonts, cropping my images and much more. This has been an affordable and efficient tool I highly suggest folks use especially if you are just starting out and don’t have experience with large software like photoshop or procreate.
BWM: Anything else you'd like to share?
Fillette: It is important to connect with other entrepreneurs and business owners, even those who are not in the same market as you. You can learn about new opportunities, tools, and overall resources from quick conversations. In the end you can decide or see if something will work for you but if you don't know you can’t act on it. We all have something to learn and we all have something to share.
More information can be found at https://www.lakayfi.com/.
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Lakay Fi is where practicality meets style. In Haitian-Creole, Lakay means home/house so this brand is inviting you into my home to gain a new item to add to yours.