Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberli Davino-Wilson.
Hi Kimberli, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I always loved helping others. For the longest time, I wanted to be a teacher so that is what I got my master’s degree in. But before I could even find a teaching job, I knew my heart didn’t really want that. Parts of me felt I went that route because I enjoyed playing school in the basement as a kid also, it was a socially acceptable job. So I decided to go back to school, this time for ABA- which is Applied Behavior Analysis. I spent a few years as a behavior therapist, working with children on the autism spectrum. And if I am being honest, I loved every single second of it. I truly thought that job was “the one.” While it did come with a lot of struggles and hard days, it was still so fulfilling.
But in 2016, my health had other plans for me. Now let me back up quickly, I have always had health problems. Most of them started as a kid but really showed their face in high school. Doctors always told me it was in my head, and that I just had really bad anxiety and IBS. But I knew my body and knew that wasn’t true. Fast forward back to 2016- and my health problems increased. Symptoms became worse, I felt sick days and I just knew something was wrong. And it started interfering with my job. I didn’t have the strength I needed, I didn’t have the desire I used to have, and I certainly was not giving my clients my best self. It wasn’t fair to myself and it was absolutely not fair to them.
But with medical bills and well life, I knew I had to stick it out a little longer. But I finally couldn’t anymore and in 2017, I had my first surgery, where I was diagnosed with endometriosis. And my whole life changed just from that one diagnosis. I hung on to my job for a bit longer, but knew, I wanted to work from home. I started trying everything and anything, network marketing companies, taking survey’s, writing for sites here and there. All these were great ways to make money, but not a great way to make a true income to live.
When I finally decided to leave my job in 2018, my husband and I were moving 5 hours away to another town for his new job. I thought this would be a fresh start. But when we got there, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I applied to be a substitute teacher, which I enjoyed for a while, I continued taking surveys and landed an amazing role with Endometriosis.net, a site for those dealing with endometriosis.
I started enjoying the feeling of working from home and got the itch to build my own business. To be an entrepreneur, to just jump and go all-in with something. But what, I didn’t know! So I started an Etsy shop- I made bracelets, earrings, and wood coasters. Which I still love and still do, but it wasn’t the “dream” business I was thinking. And then a few months later, I came across an amazing Tea Company (Twin Flame Tea, seriously check them out). I started working for them by selling their teas and then a few months in, started helping out with their social media account.
I love social media, taking pictures, writing, and being creative so this gig was right up my alley. And then it hit me- THIS. This could be my business. I will start my own social media managing business! It wasn’t until almost a year later I got my second client. And then a couple of months later- I started getting more, and more and more. And before I knew it, I created a business I had always dreamed of.
I am grateful for all the struggles I went through to get to where I am now. I am so proud of the hurdles, of not giving up, and for fighting, until I found what made me happy. I am still a small business but I have full faith I will keep growing and I am excited for that day!
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?
It absolutely has not!
-health issues
-losing my job
-not knowing what I wanted to do exactly
-not having full support at first
-no money to really start or do anything
-medical bills and appointments holding me back
-negative thoughts that I wasn’t good enough and could never build a business myself
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Life With Kimberli?
I am a social media manager and virtual assistant. I help mostly female business owners, whether they are coaches, network marketers, small shops, therapists. I have even helped movie theater marketing companies. My scope of who I can help is wide. I love it all and am always open to learn and help anyone and their business! I mostly specialize in social media management, for example, Instagram management.
This can range from engagement to help genuinely grow their account, to caption writing, to graphics (I am not a graphic designer but can make your basic graphic on Canva!), to scheduling posts. I also help with other business tasks, whether it be calendar scheduling, emails, back-office help, Shopify to enter orders, finding influencers, setting up giveaways, lead pages, website help. My clients have introduced me to so many new things- which has really broadened what exactly I can help with. I think what sets me apart from others is, I don’t want you to just be my client. I want to be a business bestie. I want to see you grow just as much as you want to see yourself grow. I think I am known for my inspiring posts.
Life is tough. I know my life could be a lot worse. I am grateful for the things I have, but living with multiple chronic illnesses (forgot to mention I was diagnosed with more in 2020 and 2021!) is not easy. But each day, I try to be positive. I try to see and find the good and I make sure I share that with my audience and clients. I also am real. What you see is what you get. I don’t have a business IG and personal IG account. I have one account. Because I want my clients and everyone to know who I am.
Personally and business-wise. I think what I want your readers to know about my services is – I offer social media help and virtual assistant help (business tasks they may not like doing or find time-consuming) and that I am always open to learning new things. I love to watch others succeed and that is my main goal being by your side.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I hope over the next few years my business continues to grow. I want to continue doing what I am doing. I have never been happier and fulfilled. However, I would LOVE to grow a team to work with me and help me run my business. I am just now venturing out to hire virtual assistants to help me with my clients. I just want to create a fun workspace and create a sisterhood!
I hope also my knowledge continues to grow and my name just becomes known more. I mean how cool would it be to be in a magazine!? Dreams!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.lifewithkimberli.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/life.with.kimberli
