Candid Chronicles: Kim Mazewski's Odyssey in Entrepreneurship with Consciously Cleared and Contained

Meet Kim Mazewski, the visionary Founder of Consciously Cleared & Contained LLC, whose entrepreneurial journey is a testament to passion, resilience, and self-worth. Kim graciously shares invaluable insights for aspiring business owners, emphasizing the importance of intentionality and the power of community. Read what she has to say below:

Only three days after I decided to start Consciously Cleared and Contained (immediately applied for an expedited LLC), I set up my table for the women in small business expo at the Brandywine YMCA. 

Trying to hide my trembling hands and cover my shaky voice, I steadied myself with my breath and kept repeating in my head, “I belong here. These are my people. Like me, they were new once. I can learn so much from the powerhouses in this room.”

(It’s an awesome way to think of other leaders and badasses who are out there crushing it like you are/will be!)

And on that day I did make incredible connections with people who have given me invaluable support, including a mentor I adore (Esther Celamy Williams with ELITE Senior Advisers) @Esthercw and an incomparable and straight-up genius massage therapist Judith (Peaceful Massage). @peacefulmassagebyjudith

So this is the first, biggest piece of wisdom I can offer. If you’ve made it this far to call yourself a small business owner and you’re doing the damn thing—even if it’s your very first time saying it aloud or making a sale, you belong here. There’s nothing special you have to do to earn your place in this incredible community. You are now one of us, and you belong here. 

The women in small businesses I’ve met are here to help raise you up. I count myself as one of them now. I don’t know everything but I sure as hell know a ton more than when I started, and I’m happy to support other women (note that when I say this, I am always including trans/non-binary folks) to pursue their passion. 

If I could go back, I’d write a business plan, or at least attempt a first draft. I’d set up systems that would make my process seamless, from an initial lead to depositing a check and following up to ensure our work had a lasting impact. Instead, I rushed to catch up, as I was not expecting the success I’d earned. (At first, I was going to say “the success I’ve had,” but that sounded passive and I deserve to applaud my passion, work ethic, and perseverance!) 

Coming onto the scene without a brand and a clear voice/message that you can proudly stand behind can lead to cringe comparable to reading your circa 2008 Facebook statuses. What you post from your business is public and it’s out there forever. 

So, as is my business name, I believe strongly in bringing intention to what you care about. 

A mentor of mine says that as small business owners, we need to ask ourselves “why” before we spend any money before we make a decision. I’ve been learning that it’s eye-opening to do so because you’re not making knee-jerk reactions or thinking of an immediate reward but more big picture (and acting in alignment with your values). Here are some personal examples: 

️ Am I posting just because it’s been a few days or is what I’m about to say worthwhile and relevant—meant to teach, inspire, or generate a lead? 

️ I have an extra $100 in my budget this month; do I want to run an ad or should I invest in this specialty course that will help me better serve my clients?

️ I’m sensing red flags from this potential client. Should I take this job just because it’s money and more experience or is it OK to say “Let me instead refer you to” because I know intuitively we are not a good fit. 

It might not be true in all small businesses but in terms of service—and I say this both as an occupational therapist whose clients at rehab are frail, in pain, recovering from major illness or surgery, and as a professional organizer coming into the cluttered, chaotic homes of busy families—the client is often as, if not more, nervous than you are. They have a lot to lose and are vulnerable to need your care. 

My very first job as an LLC—I remember feeling my heart beat in my throat, I was so terrified. I’m here to say that’s normal and it’s OK. Neurologically speaking, fear and excitement share the same physiological reaction in your body: the adrenaline rush you feel when you’re scared is the same as when you are excited. It’s your mind that sways what you feel.

Being nervous means you care deeply about the quality of your work and being this person devoted to making your client’s goals come to fruition. Why would you walk in totally confident with a solid crystal clear plan before you even know THEM? Sure, there’s an outline of steps you may follow but the best business owners personalize the process, stay in the moment with their clients, and bring wisdom and guidance. Humans are complex, not robots. What I do with Consciously Cleared & Contained, and likely what you do in your small business, is not a cookie-cutter approach. So work on that. Compete with last quarter’s version of you. Go above and beyond what your first year you did. 

You must know and trust deep down that you have the confidence to tailor your expertise to clients’ unique needs—and also be committed to always being better, and learning more. 

After all, it’s totally unlikely that your passion for this type of work started yesterday. You didn’t decide this morning to suddenly become a carpenter and then enter someone’s home at noon to build custom shelves. You had to do the work, to train, to practice, to grow. You didn’t start crafting last night and now have generated enough quality pieces to sell for profit as soon as you post. 

You work. You hustle. You stay consistent. More than anything else you keep believing in yourself. Even on days when there is no feedback from the world that your business even exists. Even in a slow streak. Even if a potential client ghosted you. Even if there’s competition. Even if the loudest voice telling you to quit is your own (damn those shame gremlins!). 

Get a therapist! Call your people. Talk to your mentors. We’ve all had moments of doubt, and we will again. 

And honey, know your worth. When you’ve lit a fire inside you, what you have to offer is gold.

People will pay for what they value and value what they pay for. Do your research to determine your rate and be confident in your price(s). Stand behind it. It will turn some potential customers away—that’s OK, these are not your people. Some people will spend their money on takeout almost every night, and some people will be happy to give business to a local photographer whose prices are higher than you’d like because she’s brilliant and her work is damn incredible—you know you’ll be so lucky to have her capture your life’s most important moments. Some will skip their electrolysis for a season to afford you.

Know what makes you special from your competition and promote yourself with that confidence. And then stay in your own lane—don’t get caught up in gossip, pettiness, comparison—that’s scarcity and shame talking. There’s enough work/customers for all of us. 

You keep doing you, and the money, the reputation, the ultimate knowing that you’re on your exact perfect path, it’ll come. 

Just don’t get too comfortable! Stay fierce and all in.