May 9, 2024 • 18 mins
Episode title and number:
Kamille Richardson - From Assistive Technology to Entrepreneurial Success 4-#5
Summary of the show:
Dr. Kamille Richardson shares her journey from massage therapist to founder of iSee Technologies, Inc., focusing on access, independence, and employment for people with visual impairments. She discusses challenges, authenticity, resilience, and hiring individuals with disabilities, offering advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Also included are tips for spring and summer hairstyles.
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Bullet points of key topics & timestamps:
00:00 | Welcome to Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R.
00:38 | Introducing Dr. Kamille Richardson: From Assistive Technology to Entrepreneurship
02:12 | Kamille's Journey: Overcoming Challenges & Embracing Entrepreneurship
06:30 | Empowering Others: Kamille's Mission & Business Highlights
08:47 | Beauty Byte: Spring & Summer Hair Trends Inspired by Coachella
11:09 | Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs & Kamille's Future Vision
13:52 | The Importance of Hiring People with Disabilities
16:29 | Final Thoughts & Where to Find Kamille
Connect With Kamille:
Website - iseetechinc.com
LinkedIn - iSeeTechnologies
LinkedIn - @Dr.KamilleRichardson
Instagram - @kamillealia
Women On The Move - Kamille Richardson Shapes Inclusive Future
Connect with Bold Blind Beauty to learn more about our advocacy:
- Join our Instagram community @BoldBlindBeauty
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel @BoldBlindBeauty
- Check out our website www.boldblindbeauty.com
Music Credit: "Ambient Uplifting Harmonic Happy" By Panda-x-music https://audiojungle.net/item/ambient-uplifting-harmonic-happy/46309958
Thanks for listening!❤️
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Steph (00:06):
Welcome back to another edition of Bold Blind Beauty On
A.I.R., the show that's clearingthe air for more A.I.R.,(Access,
Inclusion, and Representation).
My name is Stephanae McCoy andwith me are my co hosts,
Dana (00:21):
I'm Dana Hinnant,
Nasreen (00:23):
I'm Nasreen Bhutta,
Sylvia (00:24):
and this is Sylvia Stinson-Perez.
Steph (00:32):
Strive not to be a success, but rather to be a
value."~Albert Einstein.
In today's episode of Bold BlindBeauty On A.I.R., we welcome Dr.
Kamille Richardson, a remarkablewoman who has transitioned from
working in assistive technologyto achieving entrepreneurial
success.
(00:52):
Kamille, Bold Blind Beauty'sMarch Woman on the Move shared
these words of wisdom in herfeature.
So my purpose of founding iSeeTechnologies, Inc., from an
assistive technology standpoint,was to help to reconnect people
to the world and helping themregain their independence.
(01:12):
And part of regaining yourindependence is also gaining
employment because a lot oftimes when your site goes,
employment is the first thing togo.
Kamille's journey is empowering,demonstrating resilience and
innovation as she navigatesentrepreneurship through her
(01:32):
blindness.
Join us as Kamille shares herstory, insights, and advice on
thriving as an entrepreneur andadvocate.
Kamille, welcome to Bold BlindBeauty On A.I.R.
Thank you for joining us forthis important discussion on the
intersectionality of disabilityand entrepreneurship.
Kamille (01:54):
Hi Steph and team.
Good morning.
Thank you all so much for havingme.
Steph (02:00):
You're welcome.
I am going to hand the mic overto Sylvia for our first
question.
Sylvia (02:07):
Good morning, Kamille.
You have had a reallyinteresting journey.
So share with us what inspiredyou in your journey from massage
therapist to AT or assistivetechnology and then to owning
your own business.
Kamille (02:25):
So like you said, I started out as a massage
therapist.
My early career search it wascolored a lot of times by
rejection.
I graduated from college and Iwas ready to go out there and
just make a difference in theworld.
But I was finding that a lot oftimes the hiring managers, they
weren't even willing to, to talkto me.
hire somebody who was blind.
Of course I'm not going to saythat out loud, but I knew I knew
(02:46):
what it was.
So I decided to become a massagetherapist.
I got a license because I knewthat nobody was going to
question my skills and abilityas a blind therapist.
So I did that.
I got a job based on my skillsas a massage therapist.
But while I was doing that,that's when the iPhones came
out.
So that was, you know, back inlike 2009 or 10 and I was an
(03:09):
early adopter of using theiPhone, especially with my blind
friends.
And everybody started asking meto teach them how to use
voiceover on the iPhone.
So that began my journey ofbecoming an assistive technology
trainer.
Because I realized that in doingthat, I was helping people
regain their independence andalso reconnect with the world
(03:32):
around them.
And especially for people wholost their sight later on, they
didn't think that they would beable to have that connection
with family and friends again.
So I was giving them their lifeback.
But with regaining yourindependence, that also meant
becoming gainfully employed.
And of course, people werehaving those same issues that I
was having when I was goingthrough my search for
(03:54):
employment.
And that's when I decided toevolve from just simply being an
assistive technology instructorand helping people regain
independence.
To really being that advocateand creating the solution for
people and going in andeducating businesses and
(04:14):
corporations about the valuethat people who are blind or
have any kind of disabilitybrings to the workforce.
Sylvia (04:22):
Thank you.
That's, that's really fabulous.
Dana (04:26):
As a woman entrepreneur, what challenges did you
encounter when starting yourbusiness?
And how did you overcome them?
Kamille (04:35):
Well, truth of the matter, Dana, I'll be honest.
I was in my own way at first.
Like I told you, I was, I wasstill doing these things as I
was a massage therapist as well.
Massage was like my securityblanket.
So I was holding on to it.
I was staying in my comfortzone.
I would kind of dip my toe intothat pool of entrepreneurship,
but I would never jump all theway in.
(04:55):
So I was in my own way.
I had to get out of my own way.
I dealt with a lot of impostersyndrome as well.
Because oftentimes I was notjust the only black woman in a
room, but I was often the onlyblind woman in a room.
And like I said earlier, I'm inhere speaking to all these
corporate people.
(05:16):
I thought I had to be able tospeak this lingo and all of
that.
Right.
But I realized, girl, peoplelove your bubbly personality.
They love you for who you are.
And they're going to get yourmessage when you come in and
speak with them because of that.
So I had to get out of my way.
I had to show up as authenticKamille.
You're going to get this big oldAfro.
You're going to get these bigold earrings.
You're going to get this whitecane and you're going to get
(05:39):
Kamille and you're also going toget an education.
You're going to get someawareness about people with
disabilities.
You're going to know that we arehere.
We bring value and we're readyto work.
So it was me.
I was in my own way.
That was literally the thingthat was standing in my way was
me.
And once I started bringing thatconfidence and I was bold and I
showed up as myself, that's whenthe doors really started
(06:01):
opening.
Nasreen (06:04):
Kamille, I just love that.
The fact that, your statementthere, I had to get out of my
way.
And I think imposter syndrome issomething that, everyone goes
through, different times and atdifferent sort of levels.
So I think that's amazing thatyou were able to push through.
And I love the fact.
That you came out swingingconfidently and obviously
(06:26):
boldly.
So fantastic.
Kamille (06:29):
Thank you.
Nasreen (06:31):
Kamille, tell me, what has been the highlight of owning
your own company, and where doyou see your business heading in
the future?
Kamille (06:39):
I think for me, the highlight is being able to show
up in that room as a uniquebusiness owner.
Showing people that blind peopleare not just out here looking
for a handout, we are actuallygiving people a hand up.
And the highlight for me hasbeen able to also hire people
and contract with other blindpeople.
(07:00):
I do a lot of workshops andtrainings and so I need a lot of
facilitators.
And I made it my mission andpurpose, even when I started
this company, that I was goingto provide opportunities for
other blind women.
And I have been able to do thatthis year.
And I'm super excited about it.
I've already worked with threeand they have been phenomenal.
And I've got some more who aregoing to be starting soon, but.
(07:23):
That has really been thehighlight is that I have been
able to provide an opportunitybecause I know how it is out
there for us in this world,trying to find employment and
just being able to bring peopleon board and really be able to
bring them alongside me workingwith me.
It just really does my heartgreat.
It just makes me so happy.
(07:44):
So, in the future I really seemyself I really see the company
being able to run itself.
I don't want to always have tobe the one that has to keep
everything going.
I also work with my sister,she's sighted.
She worked in the corporateworld.
So, she brings the operationsand everything to the business.
I'm the creative one.
I'm the speaker.
She also does some speaking nowas well.
(08:06):
But our goal is to be able tomake this a self sustaining
business.
So, perhaps creating coursesabout inclusion and we also do
some work in the workforcewellness space as well.
So, creating courses surroundingthat, that we can give to
companies and like I said,making this more of a self
(08:26):
sustaining thing so that we justbe on a beach chilling somewhere
and we're still getting ourmoney.
Nasreen (08:31):
I love that Kamille empowering, enriching and
encouraging.
Lots of women power there.
Congratulations to you on yournew heights this year.
Kamille (08:41):
Thank you.
Dana (08:47):
Spring has finally sprung and summer is soon to be on the
horizon, why not try some newhairstyles for the season
inspired by the recent CoachellaFestival?
If you like big volume in yourhair, well Voluminous Hair is
(09:07):
back.
Full blowouts with bounceinspired by Cowboy Carter,
Beyoncé.
Transitioning to one of thehottest colors is that cowboy
copper red.
This golden reddish brown huehas been trending for a while.
(09:29):
Reminiscent of the desert sky,you can always try this in
highlights.
If you're into braids and bows,this might be for you.
Any kind of hair braid, whetherit be twist braids, cornrows,
French braids, you can have astunning look by accenting it
(09:51):
with a bow.
Or how about trying a braidedupdo?
And one of the simplest ways totransition a look is trying
bangs.
No matter if it's curtain birkinor bottleneck bangs, it'll
transform your look for theseason.
And Hey, the good thing aboutbangs is they do grow out.
(10:13):
Make sure to consult a stylistto find out which bangs look
best for your face.
Enjoy the season.
And that is your Bold BlindBeauty Byte
Steph (10:32):
Kamille, every time I hear you talk, I just get
chills.
I love your energy.
I love your thought process,especially the idea of creating
opportunities for blind people,blind women.
And then this idea of creating asustainable company that can be
(10:57):
run, by somebody else.
I mean, that is the ultimate inshowcasing value and I just love
it.
So, I think this is a greatsegue to this next question.
From your perspective, whatadvice would you give to someone
just starting theirentrepreneurial journey?
Kamille (11:17):
I say keep pressing forward.
I'm gonna tell you right now asan entrepreneur, the road ahead
can be really bumpy and it canbe unknown.
But don't be afraid to keeppressing forward and to keep
taking those steps, you have tokeep moving your feet.
A lot of times again, like Isaid earlier, we get in our own
way because we don't think wehave the right tools.
(11:38):
We don't think that we know theright people.
We don't think that we knowenough.
And my thing is you don't haveto know everything.
You just got to start somewhereand the teachers will show up
because the student is ready.
So be that student.
Always be open to learn and beopen to receive help.
(11:58):
Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Let people know what it is youneed because I promise you when
you want to go fast, you goalone.
But when you want to go far, yougo together.
So don't be afraid to asksomebody for assistance and take
that journey with you.
Sylvia (12:15):
I love that.
You are surely an entrepreneurand getting some things done.
So it sounds like you're doing alot and getting a lot done and
accomplishing a lot and making abig difference.
So where do you see your companyin five years?
Kamille (12:32):
Like I said earlier, I see it being a sustainable, a
self sustaining company orsomeone else besides me running
it.
I want to be able to create thatas a legacy.
And just be able to say that Imade a difference and I'm able
to really get out here and justkind of relax, you know, you got
(12:52):
to work hard first and you playhard later.
So that's what I want.
So, like I said, in 5 years, Iwill have those courses
launched.
So I will be able to be makingmoney as I sleep because people
are going to download them andall of that.
But I really want in 5 years forpeople to know that iSee
Technologies is the is the go tocompany when you want to learn
(13:15):
all about inclusivity.
You will learn about how todecrease the stress among your
management teams and your teamsin general, on your workplaces.
And also by then I'll be on thespeaker circuit, because, you
know, I also do motivationalspeaking.
So I want to be able to be aretired motivational speaker in
(13:35):
five years.
So I got, I got a lot of work todo with these five years,
because like I said, I'm onewho's not about working myself
into the ground.
I'm going to be living a life ofleisure in five years.
Dana (13:46):
And you can do that you are truly an entrepreneur
sister.
Kamille (13:50):
Thank you.
Dana (13:52):
Why do you believe it's important to hire people with
disabilities?
Kamille (13:58):
Again, it's because first of all, the unemployment
rate in the disability, thedisabled community is very high.
And it's not because we're notwilling.
It's not because we're notcapable, but it's all it's
because the opportunity is oftennot presented or not given to
us.
So I think that is extremelyimportant that if I have the
(14:22):
opportunity right there, thenit's my responsibility to
present the opportunity tosomeone.
It's about for me, changinglives.
Not just changing the minds ofpeople who don't have
disabilities, but also beingable to change the lives of
people with disabilities, that'salways where my heart has, has
been.
Because again, I'm living thislife as well.
(14:44):
I've been through that.
I felt the rejection of applyingfor a job that I just knew I was
qualified for, but not gettingit.
So if I have that chance, thenI'm going to take it and I'm
going to make sure that I canmake a difference in somebody
else's life.
Nasreen (15:00):
Kamille, it's always great to see companies,
individuals, entrepreneurswanting to hire people with
disabilities.
Especially if they themselveshave a disability, it's always
encouraging, uplifting.
Just listening to you today, Iam certainly motivated myself.
I feel that this has been somegreat advice for entrepreneurial
(15:22):
women out there who are maybethinking about wanting to start
their own business but are notsure where to or how to or have
the confidence to.
You certainly have embedded someboldness in them throughout your
journey today that you sharedwith us.
Thank you for sharing that.
Kamille (15:41):
I was going to ask if I could say one other quick thing.
One other thing that I did thatreally helped to change the
trajectory of my business.
Is that okay?
Nasreen (15:48):
Yeah, sure.
Go ahead.
Kamille (15:49):
I strongly encourage you, if you can, to join your
local chamber of commerce.
I did that two years ago and itreally changed how my business
grew.
I needed a way for people toknow who I was.
I wanted to be active in thecommunity.
And again, I wanted to spreadawareness that there are blind
entrepreneurs out here.
So I did that and it changed mylife, it changed my business
trajectory.
(16:09):
So I really, I really encourageyou to get out there and join
your local chamber.
Nasreen (16:14):
Getting out there and being part of your community is
important if you want to make astatement and kind of know what
other resources and informationand networking possibilities are
out there.
So that's wonderful advice Ijust love your enthusiasm and
confidence.
So Kamille, where can peoplefind you?
Kamille (16:32):
The best place to find me is on LinkedIn with iSee
Technologies, and I can spellthat if you'd like.
It is a lowercase'i', and thenit's capital'S-e-e' and then
'Technologies.' You can find meon LinkedIn and then on
Instagram, it's my name,Kamille, K-A-M-I-L-L-E, Alia,
A-L-I-A.
(16:53):
So those are the two placeswhere you will most likely find
me.
And I will send you the linkthat you can put in a
description box to the website.
If you want to check that outalso, but it is,
iseetechinc.com.
Love the name of your companytoo, Kamille.
Thank you.
Nasreen (17:12):
Thank you for joining us.
Kamille (17:14):
Thank you for having me.
Nasreen (17:20):
Thanks for tuning in to Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R.
today.
We hope this episode has leftyou inspired and empowered.
Remember, our journey continuesbeyond this podcast.
Don't miss out on futureepisodes.
Hit that subscribe button andstay up to date on all of our
latest discussions.
Also, join our vibrant communityon Instagram for behind the
(17:41):
scenes content stories and dosesof motivation.
Your support means the world tous as we strive to amplify the
diverse voices and stories.
Together, let's keep advocatingfor Access, Inclusion, and
Representation.
Until next time, stay bold andbeautiful.
Welcome back to another edition of Bold Blind Beauty On
A.I.R., the show that's clearingthe air for more A.I.R.,(Access,
Inclusion, and Representation).
My name is Stephanae McCoy andwith me are my co hosts,
Dana (00:21):
I'm Dana Hinnant,
Nasreen (00:23):
I'm Nasreen Bhutta,
Sylvia (00:24):
and this is Sylvia Stinson-Perez.
Steph (00:32):
Strive not to be a success, but rather to be a
value."~Albert Einstein.
In today's episode of Bold BlindBeauty On A.I.R., we welcome Dr.
Kamille Richardson, a remarkablewoman who has transitioned from
working in assistive technologyto achieving entrepreneurial
success.
(00:52):
Kamille, Bold Blind Beauty'sMarch Woman on the Move shared
these words of wisdom in herfeature.
So my purpose of founding iSeeTechnologies, Inc., from an
assistive technology standpoint,was to help to reconnect people
to the world and helping themregain their independence.
(01:12):
And part of regaining yourindependence is also gaining
employment because a lot oftimes when your site goes,
employment is the first thing togo.
Kamille's journey is empowering,demonstrating resilience and
innovation as she navigatesentrepreneurship through her
(01:32):
blindness.
Join us as Kamille shares herstory, insights, and advice on
thriving as an entrepreneur andadvocate.
Kamille, welcome to Bold BlindBeauty On A.I.R.
Thank you for joining us forthis important discussion on the
intersectionality of disabilityand entrepreneurship.
Kamille (01:54):
Hi Steph and team.
Good morning.
Thank you all so much for havingme.
Steph (02:00):
You're welcome.
I am going to hand the mic overto Sylvia for our first
question.
Sylvia (02:07):
Good morning, Kamille.
You have had a reallyinteresting journey.
So share with us what inspiredyou in your journey from massage
therapist to AT or assistivetechnology and then to owning
your own business.
Kamille (02:25):
So like you said, I started out as a massage
therapist.
My early career search it wascolored a lot of times by
rejection.
I graduated from college and Iwas ready to go out there and
just make a difference in theworld.
But I was finding that a lot oftimes the hiring managers, they
weren't even willing to, to talkto me.
hire somebody who was blind.
Of course I'm not going to saythat out loud, but I knew I knew
(02:46):
what it was.
So I decided to become a massagetherapist.
I got a license because I knewthat nobody was going to
question my skills and abilityas a blind therapist.
So I did that.
I got a job based on my skillsas a massage therapist.
But while I was doing that,that's when the iPhones came
out.
So that was, you know, back inlike 2009 or 10 and I was an
(03:09):
early adopter of using theiPhone, especially with my blind
friends.
And everybody started asking meto teach them how to use
voiceover on the iPhone.
So that began my journey ofbecoming an assistive technology
trainer.
Because I realized that in doingthat, I was helping people
regain their independence andalso reconnect with the world
(03:32):
around them.
And especially for people wholost their sight later on, they
didn't think that they would beable to have that connection
with family and friends again.
So I was giving them their lifeback.
But with regaining yourindependence, that also meant
becoming gainfully employed.
And of course, people werehaving those same issues that I
was having when I was goingthrough my search for
(03:54):
employment.
And that's when I decided toevolve from just simply being an
assistive technology instructorand helping people regain
independence.
To really being that advocateand creating the solution for
people and going in andeducating businesses and
(04:14):
corporations about the valuethat people who are blind or
have any kind of disabilitybrings to the workforce.
Sylvia (04:22):
Thank you.
That's, that's really fabulous.
Dana (04:26):
As a woman entrepreneur, what challenges did you
encounter when starting yourbusiness?
And how did you overcome them?
Kamille (04:35):
Well, truth of the matter, Dana, I'll be honest.
I was in my own way at first.
Like I told you, I was, I wasstill doing these things as I
was a massage therapist as well.
Massage was like my securityblanket.
So I was holding on to it.
I was staying in my comfortzone.
I would kind of dip my toe intothat pool of entrepreneurship,
but I would never jump all theway in.
(04:55):
So I was in my own way.
I had to get out of my own way.
I dealt with a lot of impostersyndrome as well.
Because oftentimes I was notjust the only black woman in a
room, but I was often the onlyblind woman in a room.
And like I said earlier, I'm inhere speaking to all these
corporate people.
(05:16):
I thought I had to be able tospeak this lingo and all of
that.
Right.
But I realized, girl, peoplelove your bubbly personality.
They love you for who you are.
And they're going to get yourmessage when you come in and
speak with them because of that.
So I had to get out of my way.
I had to show up as authenticKamille.
You're going to get this big oldAfro.
You're going to get these bigold earrings.
You're going to get this whitecane and you're going to get
(05:39):
Kamille and you're also going toget an education.
You're going to get someawareness about people with
disabilities.
You're going to know that we arehere.
We bring value and we're readyto work.
So it was me.
I was in my own way.
That was literally the thingthat was standing in my way was
me.
And once I started bringing thatconfidence and I was bold and I
showed up as myself, that's whenthe doors really started
(06:01):
opening.
Nasreen (06:04):
Kamille, I just love that.
The fact that, your statementthere, I had to get out of my
way.
And I think imposter syndrome issomething that, everyone goes
through, different times and atdifferent sort of levels.
So I think that's amazing thatyou were able to push through.
And I love the fact.
That you came out swingingconfidently and obviously
(06:26):
boldly.
So fantastic.
Kamille (06:29):
Thank you.
Nasreen (06:31):
Kamille, tell me, what has been the highlight of owning
your own company, and where doyou see your business heading in
the future?
Kamille (06:39):
I think for me, the highlight is being able to show
up in that room as a uniquebusiness owner.
Showing people that blind peopleare not just out here looking
for a handout, we are actuallygiving people a hand up.
And the highlight for me hasbeen able to also hire people
and contract with other blindpeople.
(07:00):
I do a lot of workshops andtrainings and so I need a lot of
facilitators.
And I made it my mission andpurpose, even when I started
this company, that I was goingto provide opportunities for
other blind women.
And I have been able to do thatthis year.
And I'm super excited about it.
I've already worked with threeand they have been phenomenal.
And I've got some more who aregoing to be starting soon, but.
(07:23):
That has really been thehighlight is that I have been
able to provide an opportunitybecause I know how it is out
there for us in this world,trying to find employment and
just being able to bring peopleon board and really be able to
bring them alongside me workingwith me.
It just really does my heartgreat.
It just makes me so happy.
(07:44):
So, in the future I really seemyself I really see the company
being able to run itself.
I don't want to always have tobe the one that has to keep
everything going.
I also work with my sister,she's sighted.
She worked in the corporateworld.
So, she brings the operationsand everything to the business.
I'm the creative one.
I'm the speaker.
She also does some speaking nowas well.
(08:06):
But our goal is to be able tomake this a self sustaining
business.
So, perhaps creating coursesabout inclusion and we also do
some work in the workforcewellness space as well.
So, creating courses surroundingthat, that we can give to
companies and like I said,making this more of a self
(08:26):
sustaining thing so that we justbe on a beach chilling somewhere
and we're still getting ourmoney.
Nasreen (08:31):
I love that Kamille empowering, enriching and
encouraging.
Lots of women power there.
Congratulations to you on yournew heights this year.
Kamille (08:41):
Thank you.
Dana (08:47):
Spring has finally sprung and summer is soon to be on the
horizon, why not try some newhairstyles for the season
inspired by the recent CoachellaFestival?
If you like big volume in yourhair, well Voluminous Hair is
(09:07):
back.
Full blowouts with bounceinspired by Cowboy Carter,
Beyoncé.
Transitioning to one of thehottest colors is that cowboy
copper red.
This golden reddish brown huehas been trending for a while.
(09:29):
Reminiscent of the desert sky,you can always try this in
highlights.
If you're into braids and bows,this might be for you.
Any kind of hair braid, whetherit be twist braids, cornrows,
French braids, you can have astunning look by accenting it
(09:51):
with a bow.
Or how about trying a braidedupdo?
And one of the simplest ways totransition a look is trying
bangs.
No matter if it's curtain birkinor bottleneck bangs, it'll
transform your look for theseason.
And Hey, the good thing aboutbangs is they do grow out.
(10:13):
Make sure to consult a stylistto find out which bangs look
best for your face.
Enjoy the season.
And that is your Bold BlindBeauty Byte
Steph (10:32):
Kamille, every time I hear you talk, I just get
chills.
I love your energy.
I love your thought process,especially the idea of creating
opportunities for blind people,blind women.
And then this idea of creating asustainable company that can be
(10:57):
run, by somebody else.
I mean, that is the ultimate inshowcasing value and I just love
it.
So, I think this is a greatsegue to this next question.
From your perspective, whatadvice would you give to someone
just starting theirentrepreneurial journey?
Kamille (11:17):
I say keep pressing forward.
I'm gonna tell you right now asan entrepreneur, the road ahead
can be really bumpy and it canbe unknown.
But don't be afraid to keeppressing forward and to keep
taking those steps, you have tokeep moving your feet.
A lot of times again, like Isaid earlier, we get in our own
way because we don't think wehave the right tools.
(11:38):
We don't think that we know theright people.
We don't think that we knowenough.
And my thing is you don't haveto know everything.
You just got to start somewhereand the teachers will show up
because the student is ready.
So be that student.
Always be open to learn and beopen to receive help.
(11:58):
Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Let people know what it is youneed because I promise you when
you want to go fast, you goalone.
But when you want to go far, yougo together.
So don't be afraid to asksomebody for assistance and take
that journey with you.
Sylvia (12:15):
I love that.
You are surely an entrepreneurand getting some things done.
So it sounds like you're doing alot and getting a lot done and
accomplishing a lot and making abig difference.
So where do you see your companyin five years?
Kamille (12:32):
Like I said earlier, I see it being a sustainable, a
self sustaining company orsomeone else besides me running
it.
I want to be able to create thatas a legacy.
And just be able to say that Imade a difference and I'm able
to really get out here and justkind of relax, you know, you got
(12:52):
to work hard first and you playhard later.
So that's what I want.
So, like I said, in 5 years, Iwill have those courses
launched.
So I will be able to be makingmoney as I sleep because people
are going to download them andall of that.
But I really want in 5 years forpeople to know that iSee
Technologies is the is the go tocompany when you want to learn
(13:15):
all about inclusivity.
You will learn about how todecrease the stress among your
management teams and your teamsin general, on your workplaces.
And also by then I'll be on thespeaker circuit, because, you
know, I also do motivationalspeaking.
So I want to be able to be aretired motivational speaker in
(13:35):
five years.
So I got, I got a lot of work todo with these five years,
because like I said, I'm onewho's not about working myself
into the ground.
I'm going to be living a life ofleisure in five years.
Dana (13:46):
And you can do that you are truly an entrepreneur
sister.
Kamille (13:50):
Thank you.
Dana (13:52):
Why do you believe it's important to hire people with
disabilities?
Kamille (13:58):
Again, it's because first of all, the unemployment
rate in the disability, thedisabled community is very high.
And it's not because we're notwilling.
It's not because we're notcapable, but it's all it's
because the opportunity is oftennot presented or not given to
us.
So I think that is extremelyimportant that if I have the
(14:22):
opportunity right there, thenit's my responsibility to
present the opportunity tosomeone.
It's about for me, changinglives.
Not just changing the minds ofpeople who don't have
disabilities, but also beingable to change the lives of
people with disabilities, that'salways where my heart has, has
been.
Because again, I'm living thislife as well.
(14:44):
I've been through that.
I felt the rejection of applyingfor a job that I just knew I was
qualified for, but not gettingit.
So if I have that chance, thenI'm going to take it and I'm
going to make sure that I canmake a difference in somebody
else's life.
Nasreen (15:00):
Kamille, it's always great to see companies,
individuals, entrepreneurswanting to hire people with
disabilities.
Especially if they themselveshave a disability, it's always
encouraging, uplifting.
Just listening to you today, Iam certainly motivated myself.
I feel that this has been somegreat advice for entrepreneurial
(15:22):
women out there who are maybethinking about wanting to start
their own business but are notsure where to or how to or have
the confidence to.
You certainly have embedded someboldness in them throughout your
journey today that you sharedwith us.
Thank you for sharing that.
Kamille (15:41):
I was going to ask if I could say one other quick thing.
One other thing that I did thatreally helped to change the
trajectory of my business.
Is that okay?
Nasreen (15:48):
Yeah, sure.
Go ahead.
Kamille (15:49):
I strongly encourage you, if you can, to join your
local chamber of commerce.
I did that two years ago and itreally changed how my business
grew.
I needed a way for people toknow who I was.
I wanted to be active in thecommunity.
And again, I wanted to spreadawareness that there are blind
entrepreneurs out here.
So I did that and it changed mylife, it changed my business
trajectory.
(16:09):
So I really, I really encourageyou to get out there and join
your local chamber.
Nasreen (16:14):
Getting out there and being part of your community is
important if you want to make astatement and kind of know what
other resources and informationand networking possibilities are
out there.
So that's wonderful advice Ijust love your enthusiasm and
confidence.
So Kamille, where can peoplefind you?
Kamille (16:32):
The best place to find me is on LinkedIn with iSee
Technologies, and I can spellthat if you'd like.
It is a lowercase'i', and thenit's capital'S-e-e' and then
'Technologies.' You can find meon LinkedIn and then on
Instagram, it's my name,Kamille, K-A-M-I-L-L-E, Alia,
A-L-I-A.
(16:53):
So those are the two placeswhere you will most likely find
me.
And I will send you the linkthat you can put in a
description box to the website.
If you want to check that outalso, but it is,
iseetechinc.com.
Love the name of your companytoo, Kamille.
Thank you.
Nasreen (17:12):
Thank you for joining us.
Kamille (17:14):
Thank you for having me.
Nasreen (17:20):
Thanks for tuning in to Bold Blind Beauty On A.I.R.
today.
We hope this episode has leftyou inspired and empowered.
Remember, our journey continuesbeyond this podcast.
Don't miss out on futureepisodes.
Hit that subscribe button andstay up to date on all of our
latest discussions.
Also, join our vibrant communityon Instagram for behind the
(17:41):
scenes content stories and dosesof motivation.
Your support means the world tous as we strive to amplify the
diverse voices and stories.
Together, let's keep advocatingfor Access, Inclusion, and
Representation.
Until next time, stay bold andbeautiful.
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