Kamila Gornia is a marketing and mindset business coach who empowers entrepreneurs to create a large, authentic online presence. Kamila practices holistic business coaching and helps you “re-discover who you are, who you serve, and how – so you can finally connect your passion with your message in the world.”
Kamila is as experienced in building websites as she is in connecting solopreneurs with their voice, but WordPress allowed her to spend less time on her website and more time on building her business.
Read on to find out more about what Kamila does with WordPress and her business.
When did you start your business, and why did you create it?
My newest business, as a digital marketing strategist & biz coach, is very new – I started it in April 2014, however I've had other businesses as well all of which I grew through WordPress.
My wellness blog I started in 2012 that grew into a legit business in the last 2 years, all built on WordPress. My first business, however, was a freelance photography business and it's where I first became exposed to WordPress and I was amazed at the versatility of the themes available – that I started in 2009.
What do you feel makes your audience/readers special?
My audience ROCKS because they are all ambitious women who don't mess around and are committed and ready to free their life, make their business rock online through marketing strategies that work, authentically + strategically.
Plus, they're in it because they love what they do, not because they have to be. And that's a big one for me – I only work with people who feel passionately about their work.
Has anything surprised you about creating a website?
How easy it came to me. My very first website I actually created back when I was 12 years old and it was all in HTML. I pick things up fast and I found a template that I worked off of and built that site (and the community around it) quite quickly.
I don't remember how I came across WordPress when I was launching my photography site but when I did it was like, “What? I don't actually have to create stuff from scratch? I don't actually HAVE to know all these things about HTML?” It rocked my world, haha.
How long did it take you to create your WordPress site?
Not very long honestly. The longest part was finding the theme I liked that was free (my first WordPress site, I wasn't making much money with photography yet). Now my most recent website for my marketing business is a bit more complex and has more stuff in it, including a member's area, blog, and more… but it still didn't take me a whole lot of time.
Did you hire a graphic designer or did you create your own graphics?
For my business I used a designer to help me create my branding, my logo and my header image. I know photography but graphic design is a whole different animal that I'd rather leave to the pros. I can tweak things but not make them from scratch.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting their own business?
JUST DO IT. It's easier than you think. All you really need is the will, the commitment, and the drive to keep it going and make it happen.
If you could go back in time and do something differently, what would you do and why?
Nothing. Everything I've done has taught me something about myself. I would say I wish I started treating my wellness blog as a business sooner but I had no idea it would turn into a business so I guess I couldn't have predicted that one so much.
How fast did your audience grow? How many visitors/subscribers do you have?
A lady doesn't tell but I grew my audiences fast, simply because it's what I specialize in my business. A recent campaign I did grew my list by 2,178 new subscribers if that gives you any idea of a ballpark.
Is this your only job? Did you launch your business while working another job?
I like to have a lot going on. Aside from these two businesses, marketing one being the one I am mostly passionate about and focused on growing now, I also work as a social media & email marketing lead in a boutique digital marketing agency in Chicago, where we work with emerging e-commerce brands.
It's cool because my business allows me to work with more service-based businesses, people who want to be the FACE of their company, whereas my agency works with e-commerce product-based businesses. I get to experiment and see how different strategies apply and work for each of these different types of businesses.
Do you have an email list? If so, did you start it when you launched?
Of course. Growing a list is the most important thing you can do. It's how you can sell and streamline your marketing so you can grow.
How do you promote your site?
Mostly social media. I use paid social ads when I do specific campaigns but honestly, a little bit of connecting here and there, plus having a blog to provide value in seems to do the trick for me.
Do you earn money from your site, and if so, how? Did you intend to earn from it when you launched?
Yes, I have services and products I provide for my clients around digital marketing and online business development. As for my wellness site, it's a myriad of sponsored posts and ads whilst working with brands, affiliate offers, and others.
Who are your favorite bloggers right now?
Derek Halpern from Social Triggers rocks.
You can find out more about Kamila and check out her awesome WordPress site at www.kamilagornia.com. Be sure to subscribe to her email list to get the inside scoop on how to create a bigger online presence for your business.
