Eboni Roberts is the CEO and owner of Kicky Mats. Eboni, a native of Houston, founded a lifestyle company with Kicky Mats. Her mats are a necessary item for your home that give it a luxurious feel. Kicky Mats is a black-owned company that uses social media and word-of-mouth to advertise its products. Her neighbourhood has offered her encouragement and supportive comments.
Kicky Mats started as a pastime but quickly developed into a full-time business. Her outlet on social media helps the company soar to new heights. With Reels and shares, her Instagram has over 135K followers and millions of views.
Kicky Mats has been highlighted on Beyonce.com and recognised on social media by the Oprah Winfrey Network. She says, “When two famous black female icons notice your product, you may want to somersault in the air.” Roberts’s hobby now business has been taken by storm, with only more mats to look forward to in her collection.
The following are highlights from the interview between the World’s Leaders and Eboni Roberts:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
If I had to describe myself both inside and outside of work, I would say I am a natural born creative and leader. When I create effortlessly, it makes me feel completely fulfilled. I’m confident; I’m carrying out my mission!
Describe your background and what did you do before you joined the company?
My background is in finance. Before I started Kicky Mats, I was a financial analyst. I am able to utilize my previous skills in my business, which is a great feeling!
Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start?
Kicky Mats actually started as a side project. I created a doormat for myself because I couldn’t find one I could relate to. I then realized I was solving a problem in the industry. Once I posted it on social media, other people started requesting it. This soon turned into a side gig, and now it is my full time business.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
What has made me successful is being consistent and never being too up or too down. I had to learn that nothing lasts forever, good or bad, but with consistency, anything is possible! I value staying true to myself heavily.
Which are the major services of the company and how do the company to get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide?
Kicky Mats’ main service is custom doormats, which allow customers to let their doormat speak for themselves.To get ahead of the competition, we stay in tuned with new trends and provide sayings on our mats that no one else is providing. We love to stand out from the others in the market. The value-added service we provide is mat painting parties. Our supporters love attending our events to experience community, art, and good vibes.
What are the most important aspects of a company’s culture? What principles do you believe in and how do you build this culture?
The most important aspect of the company’s culture is freedom. I believe in everyone feeling happy and free to do things. When a person doesn’t feel free, they are usually not happy. Feeling trapped leads to a trapped mindset, and I do not believe that to be healthy for a workplace. I built this culture by allowing every employee and person visiting my business to feel free to be completely themselves with no judgment. People enjoy it so much that they rarely want to leave.
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
Innovative ideas are extremely significant at Kicky Mats because we are trendsetters and like to keep being innovators in our craft. If we are setting the trends consistently, no one is in front of us.
What are your responsibilities as the Founder/CEO of the company? What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
My responsibilities as the founder and CEO of the company are to ensure we grow as a company and as a team! I am not in any rush to get where I know we are going, as long as we are growing, I feel fulfilled. The happiest part of my daily routine is waking up and speaking positivity and prosperity over my business.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
My advice to anyone going into a leadership position for the first time is to be knowledgeable about what they are leading. Also, be willing to get in the field and follow or join in if needed.
