We had the good fortune of connecting with KB Vega and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi KB, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important lesson that my business has taught me has to be to never give up no matter how hard or how easy something seems to be. This goes along the lines of execution, marketing, designing, customer interaction etc. There were many times giving up seemed like the better option, but I am not a quitter and will find a way to get it done, no matter how hard it gets. Also, to never stop learning. Being someone with no business degree or background before, I started from scratch. I had an idea and wanted to implement my idea into starting my own business. I didn’t know, so to speak, the ‘messy’ middle, that entails when launching an online business. So, I am constantly learning to make my business better. By doing so, I can understand certain aspects of my brand that I never knew before. Not only does it help my business go further but helps me become a better business owner as well.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
People always ask me what makes my business stand out or unique from others that are doing the same as me. My answer is always the same…..I am a one-woman, small business, who has struggled with low self-esteem and very little confidence growing up. I am real, honest, and authentic & I am a total open book. I am no longer ashamed of my story because it has made me the strong woman I am today. I have been addicted to drugs, battled with eating disorders, and dealt with traumatic experiences that I still grapple with today. What I am most proud of is how far I have come over the years. If you asked me 15+ years ago when I was a full-blown addict where I would be today, I would never have told you that I thought I would own my own business and be doing what I am doing. This is my most proud accomplishment. Being what I was to what I am now, I couldn’t be more proud of myself. By turning my life around, I then could help people turn their life around and teach them to love & appreciate themselves fully. My business first started off as a positivity platform on IG where I wanted to help people who were going through the same things that I struggled with growing up. If I could put a smile on someone’s face or uplift them in just a little way, then that would make me happy. I then wanted to incorporate my love for fashion with inspiring people and that’s when I started the InspiHER Empire.
Besides being an open & honest brand, I take pride in the fact that each one of my designs has a little back story to them. So when using or wearing our products, the consumer then becomes part of our lil backstory as well. Hence, the word Empire in our name. We all become a part of this amazing empowering, inspiring, and supportive ‘Empire.’

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would definitely hit up a museum and/or gallery. I love art and get inspiration from seeing other artists’ work. Hey, what can I say? I’m a creative at heart. Prob go on a little road trip too since I love traveling. An hour or even a six-hour drive is def a fun and spontaneous activity thing that I love to do. I love visiting other places, eating the local food, and meeting awesome people. We would maybe go to a concert because music is life plus I love to dance and sing my pretty little heart out. If it was during the summer, most def going to the beach. I am a total beach bum and nothing like the sound of the waves to relax and put you in chill mood. And after the beach, prob hit up a local eatery for some oysters and seafood because I’m a huge fan! And somewhere in the week, we would probably go shopping because fashion is everything!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Honestly, anyone that has shown me or my business any type of love & support since starting my business, deserves recognition. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. That goes for my family, friends, customers, my followers on my social media platforms, my community when I do my pop-up vendor booths, other publications I’ve been featured in such as She Stories, Artisan Joy, VoyageLA, & Canvas Rebel Magazines, other businesses I’ve collaborated annually with such as The Identity of She. Anyone who has given me advice, wisdom and tips for succeeding in my business & most importantly my husband Anthony, who has become my pro-bono photographer for my website and socials, my assistant at my vendor booths, my creative director when I am having designer’s block, my shoulder to cry on when I am doubting myself, my teacher when sharing his wisdom about business (he owns his own small business too) as well as dealing with my business becoming my full-time workspace in taking over our home, where product is strewn about everywhere. And last but not least, to this Shoutout Series for my story/brand/business to be shared.

Website: https://inspiherempire.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/inspiherempire

Facebook: www.facebook.com/inspiherempire

Other: Threads: @inspiherempire@threads.net

Image Credits
Anthony–my amazing husband, who has become my business photographer

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.