Exploring Life & Business with Kimberly Bloomer of Laila M and Co.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Bloomer.

Hi Kimberly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Hello! I’m Kim, an entrepreneur and the founder of Laila M and Co. Boutique. Laila Marie is my daughter; she is 7 this year, and she’s a funny story.

My husband and I met in Okinawa, Japan, while we were both on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. I (Kim) drove trucks as a motor transport operator, and my husband, Nick, was a mechanic. We began dating shortly after meeting in August of 2013. In June of 2014, while I was across the world in this other country, I received notice from my command that my father had passed away and would send me home to grieve with my family. So, I flew home to Florida, and shortly after arrival. I discovered I was pregnant. The timing of this still gives me goosebumps to think about, as my father had passed away just a few days before discovering the new life growing in my belly. Because of this occurrence, I have always felt that everything happens for a reason and that there is big meaning in seeing life as it is, as opposed to seeing it as you feel it should be. I also want to say that I still kept my job in the military and completed my service honorably later on in the journey. There is often a stigma around military women regarding these situations, so it is important to note that you are allowed to start a family while on active duty, which is 100% acceptable. Upon my return to Japan, Nick and I decided to get married. This was the only way the Marines would station us in the same locations. While I loved my husband back then, we were very young (19 and 20), and ultimately, we did it for Laila. If you fast forward a bit, we now have 3 crazy children and Nick, and I have been happily married for eight amazing years.

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?
I launched Laila M and Co. in February of this year, right before I had my third baby. It was a pretty crazy transition since we went from being a family of four to a new family of five, but I have learned so much along the way, and so far, it is going well. Of course, there have been struggles along the way, but ultimately learning through trial and error and staying consistent has ensured a smooth road. I am grateful for my experiences thus far, and I would recommend anyone who has thought about pursuing a small business to absolutely do it.

We’ve been impressed with Laila M and Co., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Laila M and Co. is a size-inclusive brand that sells motivational and inspirational custom-made apparel items, vinyl-decorated glass cans, handmade safety keychains, and so much more. I pick and create our items to promote the safety and well-being (including mental health) of women coming from all demographics. Our mission at Laila M. and Co. is to build a caring community of thoughtful women who seek to help other women (through friendship) thrive no matter their different life phases. I took the chance as an entrepreneur and launched Laila M and Co. as a stay-at-home mom because of how important it is to me to have the freedom to create my schedule so that I can continue to stay home and be a full-time parent. I am also a full-time student and am coming up on graduation from the Trulaske College of Business at the University of Missouri, so I decided to start now. This was so that I could maintain a steady income by walking the stage. Through this experience, I have learned much and proved what I am entirely capable of. I want to be a pillar for other women with the same intent (the double life of being a mom while also contributing to household finances while spreading positivity) and prove that we can do it all. Often, women are placed in the societal role of being the household’s mom, wife, and caretaker. Many aspects create a sense of loss for the self in this scenario. So my boutique items are based around a settled reminder of who you are as a woman outside of these roles, the individual within, and the importance of taking care of yourself through safety, well-being, and mental health through motivational, positivity-charged, and colorful boutique items and gifts.

This sets us apart from others and is what I am most proud of. As a mom, I know what it’s like to lose my individuality over needing to care for everyone else constantly. This part is hard! Moms need friends and self-care, too.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My advice for finding a mentor and networking would be to find what you are trying to pursue and find other small business owners already doing it. We spend so much time on social media. Why not make it for a useful cause? I have met and connected to fellow mompreneurs by paying attention to those accounts on Instagram that coincide with my lifestyle. In this experience, I have reached out to some business owners and learned so much from them! Paying attention to what they do on their platforms is like free education. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them. I would also recommend creating a LinkedIn profile based on what you are pursuing. This is a fantastic way to create valuable connections.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lailamandco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lailamandco/