Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystal Neal.
Krystal, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been a stationery lover for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I loved Lisa Frank and looked forward to back to school shopping so I could get all new matching notebooks, folders, and pencils for the new school year. When I decided to start a business, I wanted something that spoke to who I am as a person. I wanted something that would come to me naturally and that I would genuinely enjoy. The first thing that came to mind was stationery. Since I also work a full-time job, I also wanted something that wouldn’t be too time consuming. To start off, I purchased wholesale items on sites that supported other small businesses. However, as time went on, I would have ideas for a new product and wouldn’t be able to find anything that fit my vision, so I began making items myself. Now, I have transitioned completely away from purchasing wholesale items. I design and create everything myself. That is honestly my favorite part. Coming up with some new idea, seeing it come to life, and then watching other people love it as much as I do. In the beginning, the goal was just to provide cute stationery. Over time, I realized that most of the items I added to the shop had a message to empower women and female entrepreneurs. It wasn’t intentional. It just happened naturally. That is how CiSuite was born. If you work in Corporate America, you know that the C-Suite is typically made up of men. So I created this CiSuite, geared specifically towards women. To help keep us organized, motivated, and empowered as we run our businesses, homes, careers, and whatever else life throws at us.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely come with its challenges. The hardest part for me has been social media engagement and getting the word out. Creating short form media, such as TikTok and Reels, and taking Instagram worthy pictures isn’t something that comes naturally to me. I have found myself spending hours creating content, only to post them and get nearly zero views or likes. It can be very discouraging and can sometimes feel like a waste of time. To help improve on this, I have looked into some online courses to help hone my skills. I’ve also joined a networking organization where I can collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs, learn from them, and take some of that knowledge to help grow my business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Apart from running CiSuite, I work full-time as a program manager in the healthcare software development space. The company I work for focuses on improving cancer outcomes, so there is a large focus on gathering data, analyzing it, and providing results to healthcare organizations and pharmaceutical companies, which can then be used to improve cancer care for their patients. It can be very challenging when you have large projects with tight deadlines, but it also very rewarding knowing that the work you are doing may have a positive impact on someone’s life down the line. I think working in this field has prepared me a great deal for running CiSuite. As a program manager, when you get a new project, you need to identify all of the stakeholders, get an understanding of what the requirements are to complete the project, and then come up with a plan to complete the project by the deadline. The same can be said for launching a new product for CiSuite. Having a plan, staying organized, knowing how much time each task takes, understanding the impact if a task falls behind, and having a contingency plan to deal with unknowns are all crucial to being a successful program manager, as well as a successful small business owner.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I think most people who meet me would be surprised to know that I am an avid reader and have recently gotten back into gaming. I read primarily fantasy and have read over 100 books this year. When it comes to gaming, I love RPGs such as Final Fantasy, Neverwinter Nights, and Baldur’s Gate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecisuite.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/thecisuite
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/thecisuite
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thecisuite
