Kristen Kubik, the powerhouse behind Business Unfiltered, LLC, is a woman on a mission to make the business world more inclusive, authentic, and accessible. With two degrees in business, including one in marketing, and years of consulting experience, Kristen took a leap of faith in 2017 to go full-time with her business. What started as a necessity to pay off divorce bills quickly transformed into a passionate endeavor to challenge the status quo in the business world. Kristen's journey is not just about building a business; it's about creating a space where authenticity reigns, and no one is left behind. Through her work, Kristen empowers others to embrace their true selves and amplifies voices that have long been silenced. Her story is one of resilience, courage, and an unwavering commitment to social justice, making her a beacon of inspiration for women everywhere
What inspired you to start Business Unfiltered, LLC, and how does it align with your personal values?
I have two degrees in business, one being in marketing; and I had done consulting work for a couple of years on various projects. I went full-time in my business in 2017 to pay my divorce bills; and, it was a terrifying choice. Business Unfiltered entered the chat because I couldn’t stand when people said that you should act a certain way as a business owner or that your content should look or feel a certain way. Why couldn’t someone just speak as them especially if their audience resonated? So, it’s always been “your business, unfiltered” because that’s how it should be. I’ve always been known as an open book, whether it was about trauma I’ve been through or experiences I’ve dealt with, so it resonated with me as well as my clients.
Can you share the story behind your decision to focus on inclusivity and accessibility in your business?
I kept seeing gaps in the same places. The same people were often feeling left out or excluded. It led me down a rabbit hole of why they were consistently excluded from marketing as a whole, which turned into a lot of research based decisions. It made me realize that there were whole sections of markets that were never tapped into because they were just… forgotten about. And how awful is that? To just forget about people as a whole or deem their voices not as important as others? It was really eye opening.
What challenges did you face in creating a business centered on amplifying voices historically excluded by white supremacy?
I had to get over my fears of a) saying the wrong thing and b) sitting in the discomfort of the things I read, researched, and had or joined conversations about. The fear of saying the wrong thing really held me back from speaking for a long time, but the fear of even sitting in the discomfort of the things I was actually looking at was a whole other subject because it made me realize how easy it was to just swipe away or look away or turn things off.
How has your personal journey influenced your approach to inclusivity and accessibility in your consulting work?
I grew up in a very conservative Evangelical family in Alabama. It was easy if you kept your head down and didn’t ask a lot of questions. When you did, it was easy to be met with a lot of, “we don’t talk about that” or “they don’t look like us.” Naturally, it made me question a lot of things. When I was younger, my mom had always told me she wanted me to get out of the state; and when I did, I understood why. It was a whole new world that was extremely different than where I came from. I live in the Baltimore area now, and it’s such a cool melting pot of different vibes and cultures (and foods!!) that I still learn something new all the time, even after over a decade.
How do you address and manage the emotional and mental challenges that come with working in areas focused on social justice and inclusivity?
I have a therapist on call… just kidding, sort of. In reality, I do have a therapist (and she’s amazing); but, I have to make sure I take time for joy - whatever that looks like for me. I also did something interesting though this journey by accident and cut out alcohol and made my physical health much more of a priority. I started really looking at how foods and intentional movement were affecting the way I felt, especially while having so many heavy conversations, and it made a massive difference in how I naturally shifted things.
What advice would you give to other women who want to start businesses focused on social justice and inclusivity but are concerned about potential challenges?
You have to be willing to always be learning. There are no exceptions. I am queer, but I am also white. Intersectionality has to be at the top of any sort of content I create, especially if I’m looking to educate or even listen to other’s experiences around a subject.
How do you stay motivated and focused on your mission despite the obstacles you face in your field?
I’m always looking at the big picture, which is to help people. If I’ve made a difference in anyone’s lives, then I’ve done what I’ve set out to do and that makes me happy.
What are some common misconceptions about working in inclusivity and accessibility that you’ve encountered?
That marketing that is inclusive and accessible has to be boring. I swear, it doesn’t! I’m one of the least boring people you’ll ever meet. Marketing gets to be fun. It’s why I love it so much. AND we get to include everyone.
How do you balance your personal life with the demanding work of running a business focused on social justice?
Most people read; I play video games. I love getting lost in a good story. You just have to find your joy… whatever that looks like. I have a hard “clock in” and “clock out” time, most of the time. I also don’t hesitate to do things like turn off my notifications, especially on the weekends, because I deserve time to myself to recharge. I can’t pour from an empty cup; and my mission only works just as well as I do.
What message or piece of advice would you offer to women who are passionate about creating positive change but feel overwhelmed by the challenges?
You don’t have to dive in all at once. The small changes start with us first. I didn’t start doing this work completely head first. I started small by reading a book or a blog or watching TikToks; and that led me to diving in further with heavier reading and researching. Eventually, I went to grad school for my Masters in Legal Studies in Public Policy to better understand how exactly things affect all of us. Then, I could educate a lot more. It’s a process, and that process gets to start with a single step: listening.
IG: @kristenunfiltered
TikTok: @kristenunfiltered
@kristenunfiltered
Website: https://businessunfilteredllc.com
