Kendrick PR – House of Coco
Theres an immense amount of pressure around becoming an entrepreneur, especially at a young age. Some thought leaders, like Gary Vee believe that – if you enjoy working within a company, you clearly arent a born entrepreneur. Julia Kendrick, founder of Kendrick PR, sees it differently based on her fascinating and engaging career from employee to successful business owner.
Hi Julia, can you give us the elevator pitch? In a nutshell, Kendrick PR is a boutique, bespoke public relations and marketing consultancy; specifically focused on the medical aesthetic, cosmetic surgery and high-end beauty and skincare industries.
My passion has always been in bringing to life the science behind a product; why its new and why it works this is from my background in health PR. Im passionate about bringing the educational part of the industry out and only working with brands that meet my rather exceptionally high standards. Im not into fluff or snake oil!
When did you start running your business, was it always a dream of yours?
Not at all! Im a typical Taurian; Im risk averse and never set out to be an entrepreneur – it just worked out this way. I switched from PR agencies to in-house and was happy but a change in circumstances saw me jump into freelance life in 2015, from which I built up Kendrick PR.
I think theres sometimes an expectation that wanting to be an entrepreneur from the start (or an early age) is the norm, that you are missing out if you dont have this innate drive to conquer the world. I think theres a lot of pressure around age as well, you see teenagers making crazy money on Instagram and YouTube and can feel that youve totally missed the boat to carve out your own business or niche offering.
Being an entrepreneur can come at a later stage in your career and from a direction you dont expect. This was how it was for me; completely out of left field and terrifying when it first happened! Its important for people to realise that its possible that later on in your life, change can come. It can be a hugely positive and inspirational thing.
How do you balance your business / family?
Its challenging for sure and we often put this pressure on ourselves to be women who have it all; I think thats very toxic and damaging. I have managed over the past four years because Ive had support from so many women. In a business sense, Ive had support from other female entrepreneurs who have guided me, lifted me up and connected me to a nurturing and empowering environment. Its incredible how ready Ive found women are to support others.
As women, we too often put ourselves last but the thing is, if we pack in and the wheels fall off; everyone around us loses out too. Just simple things like having a personal trainer come to my house super early, twice per week, means I can have something for myself without compromising on work or family time. We need to give ourselves permission to make those changes.
Finally, what advice, if any, would you have for you 10 years ago?
I wouldnt be where I am or who I am today without unexpected change coming in and I would tell myself that I shouldnt see change as negative or disruptive, but as something which can break up the status quo and allow something even better to come to fruition.
I tend to crave consistency and safety, but you grow best through adversity and challenging yourself. You find out more about yourself and what you are capable of. I dont mean that something terrible has to happen but that the more interesting things in your life, and your ability to grow and develop, will only come when youre not in your comfort zone. Thats where you achieve those things that you never even thought that you could, and think ooh, Ive only gone and done it!
Follow Julia and her business on Instagram: @kendrickpr_uk