We had the good fortune of connecting with Kamika Dillard and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kamika, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve started a few businesses over the course of my life, each one born out of both necessity and vision. My first venture was my test prep company: 30 Day Test Prep, which I launched almost 12 years ago. At the time, I knew I had a gift for taking tests, and I wanted to use that skill to create extra income while helping others succeed academically. What began as a side hustle grew into something I kept nurturing over the years.
Earlier this year, I was already in the middle of revamping 30 Day Test Prep when I experienced a layoff. That moment pushed me to fully reimagine my path. I was in the process of rebranding and simultaneously building my coaching business, Fail Forward Coaching: a career and transformational coaching practice designed to help people navigate setbacks and turn them into stepping stones. My long-term plan had always been to grow these brands before leaving corporate America, but life had other plans for me.
Out of that season of transition, I launched my podcast, Black Women Will Save Black Women. The inspiration came from witnessing the devastating impact of job losses on over 500,000 Black women this year. For me, the podcast is more than just conversations. I am creatin a platform to amplify voices, share resources, and build a community where Black women can find support and empowerment.
At the heart of it all, every business I’ve started has been rooted in seeing a need and asking myself how I can address it in a way that others aren’t. Whether it’s helping students succeed, guiding professionals through career pivots, or creating spaces for collective healing, my thought process has always been about turning challenges into opportunities and building solutions that uplift others.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Koach Kam Corporation is the umbrella for three distinct but connected ventures: 30 Day Test Prep, Fail Forward Coaching, and the podcast Black Women Will S.A.V.E. Black Women. Each of these businesses reflects both my professional expertise and my personal mission to create spaces where people can grow, thrive, and feel supported.
With 30 Day Test Prep, I take a sports-forward approach to curriculum design. Everything is built around the power of 30—30 days, 30 drills, 30 strategies—because I believe learning should feel like training for a championship. This approach is tailored to the way Generation Alpha learns and digests information, making test prep not only effective but engaging. I am proud that this business has helped students build confidence and discipline while achieving tangible results.
Fail Forward Coaching is my career and transformational coaching practice. It is still in its early stages, but it is grounded in the lessons I learned from building my first business. I know the pitfalls of entrepreneurship, and I am intentional about creating systems and strategies that help my clients, like me, avoid them. This business is about teaching resilience, reframing setbacks, and helping people see failure as a stepping stone rather than a stopping point.
The podcast, Black Women Will S.A.V.E. Black Women, is a new space for me, but it is also the most personal. I launched it in response to the staggering number of Black women who lost jobs this year. For me, the podcast is not about chasing early data or metrics; it is about purpose. It is about amplifying voices, building community, and creating a platform where Black women can access resources, share stories, and feel seen.
Getting to where I am today has not been easy. I have faced layoffs, rebrands, and the uncertainty that comes with starting something new. What has carried me through is resilience, faith, and the ability to learn from every challenge. I have learned that success requires both vision and discipline, and that community support is just as important as strategy.
What sets me apart is that I do not just build businesses: I build ecosystems. Each venture is rooted in purpose and designed to meet a need in a way that others are not addressing. I am most proud of the fact that my work blends strategy with heart, and that I am creating spaces where people can transform their lives.
Looking ahead to 2026, I am excited about the growth and impact these ventures will have. I have ambitious goals and a clear strategy to achieve them, but more than anything, I want the world to know that my brand is about resilience, empowerment, and collective success. My story is proof that challenges can be turned into opportunities, and my businesses are proof that when you lead with vision and purpose, you can create lasting change.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As an L.A. native, I always tell people that if you really want to experience my culture, you’ve got to come south of the 10 freeway. I grew up off Crenshaw and Slauson and still live in that area, so that’s where I’d start. Food is always the first stop. For tacos, it’s Worldwide Tacos on MLK and 4th Avenue. If we’re craving BBQ, we’re heading to Woody’s on Slauson (just make sure you bring cash). And for the best turkey burgers you’ll ever have, it’s Fred’s Downhome on Slauson and 4th. When I lived in Atlanta and Seattle, these were the first places I’d hit whenever I came back home, so they’re non-negotiables on the itinerary.
Since I’m a sports girlie, the schedule depends on the season. If it’s baseball, we’re at Chavez Ravine cheering on the Dodgers. If it’s basketball, we’re either at Intuit watching the Clippers or at Staples Center watching the Lakers. And yes, I know it’s technically called Crypto Arena now, but his mama named him Staples, so I’m going to call him Staples Center.
For some outdoor fun, I love running the Strand in Manhattan Beach or heading to Santa Monica for a run along the coast. Afterward, we’d refuel at Bru Waffles with their famous churro waffles, because balance is everything.
When it comes to nightlife, I’ll be honest: I prefer a good house party over the club. But if we’re going out, I love the Blue Note Jazz Club for the music, the Hollywood Bowl for the vibes and atmosphere, and concerts at YouTube Theater or The Forum in Inglewood. Those venues always deliver unforgettable energy.
Overall, the week would be a mix of food, sports, culture, and music—all the things that make L.A. special to me. It’s about showing my best friend not just the city, but the heartbeat of the community I grew up in.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It may sound cliché, but the first person I want to recognize is my mother, Helen Dillard. She has been the living example of resilience throughout my life. Watching her navigate challenges with strength and grace taught me what it truly means to persevere, even when the odds are stacked against you. She has always believed in me, often more than I believed in myself, and that unwavering faith has been the foundation of my courage to take risks and pursue my dreams.
I also owe so much to my circle of friends, who have consistently been my cheering section. My friends really have my back! They have celebrated my wins, reminded me of my worth during setbacks, and held me accountable to keep pushing forward. Their encouragement has been a constant reminder that success is not meant to be walked alone. It is sustained by community, and I am grateful for the love and support they have poured into me over the years.
Another person who deserves recognition is Catherine Jefferson, my mentor of more than 14 years. What began as a professional mentorship has blossomed into a relationship that touches every aspect of my life. Catherine pours into me with wisdom, guidance, and perspective that have helped me grow not only as a leader but as a person. She has modeled what it means to lead with integrity and compassion, and her influence continues to shape the way I show up for others.
The truth is that none of my accomplishments exist in isolation. My mother’s resilience, my friends’ encouragement, and Catherine’s mentorship have all been threads woven into the fabric of my journey. They remind me daily that success is collective, and I carry their lessons and love with me in everything I build.
Website: www.failforwardcoaching.com, www.30daytestprep.com, www.blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen.com
Instagram: @kamikatdillard @blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen, @30daytestprep
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamikadillard
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/30daytestprep
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/blackwomenwillsaveblackwomen
Other: https://substack.com/@kamikadillard
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.
