Who are you, and what do you do?
Hey there! My name is KC Holiday and I am the President and Co-Founder of QALO.
What has been one insight or lesson that has been most helpful in your career?
The value of focus. The best athletes and entrepreneurs in the world are the best because they relentlessly pursue one very specific goal until they attain it. As entrepreneurs, we’re inherently distracted. It is because we are creators, dreamers, and builders, but often it can get us into trouble when we have too many things going on. You need to focus, and surround yourself with people who hold you accountable to what you should be focusing on. You aren’t going to miss out on other things by focusing, instead you’re going to accomplish exactly what you wanted to.
What has been your favorite mistake? A mistake that in retrospect led to a great lesson and progress.
Hiring too many employees. It was wonderful because it gave us the opportunity to work with some incredible people, but when you don’t hire smart or rush into decisions it can lead to poor management, lack of growth paths for employees, and then to a bunch of layoffs because people weren’t managed well. As an owner, you are not responsible for employees who do not perform, but you are responsible for creating an environment where they know what success looks like, and if they don’t hit the metrics, it is on you to let them go.
Project forward ten years. How will your industry or field be fundamentally different then? What opportunities do you see?
Wow. That’s an interesting question. Seven years ago silicone rings didn’t exist and now there millions of searches monthly for the product, and they’ve completely disrupted a massive industry. I believe the industry will continue to evolve, and people will continue to go down a path where they appreciate the symbol of the ring moreso than how much it cost. Maybe that’s more of a hope, but I think it can happen. I also think there will be an interesting blend of tech and earth focused products that continue to innovate and push the limit on wearables. At the end of the day though I think people are intrigued by tech, but drawn to simplicity.
What are some bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?
Ugh, don’t even get me started on the people who call themselves “entrepreneurs”. The Instagram accounts, the scam products, the people speaking at conferences who haven’t actually done anything. Forever and always the get rich quick mentality will exist and it is the biggest trap, especially for people starting a business. A business is a marathon, it is not a sprint. Resumes matter in terms of who you take advice from, find someone who has tangibly created what you are looking to create.
In the last two years, what have you become better at saying no to?
Doing things for the wrong reasons. Fear. Money. If you are making decisions in your company based on those two things, take a beat and figure out why. Money is important, but it shouldn’t be the sole reason you are building something.
What is the one book you recommend most often and why?
The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg. Such incredible insight into why we behave the way we do.
What advice would you give a smart and ambitious recent college graduate? What advice should they ignore?
Stop letting the pressures of social media make you believe you’re a failure because you haven’t started a company yet or made a bunch of money when you’re 23. When I was 23 I was a college dropout living in Los Angeles working at PF Changs. Separate yourself from the pack. Get uncomfortable, and get hungry to learn about yourself and what you love. Travel. Explore. Learn.
What is your favorite quote, one you aim to live by?
“If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.”
Nobody may believe it is possible, but in order to find out, you need to take that first step.
Connect
I am currently building content specifically designed for young entrepreneurs, which should be ready in about 30 days and they could reach out through that, or follow me on Instagram @mrkcholiday – Thanks a ton.