Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Apple.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always wanted to create planner products and start this business because I’ve always loved planners. A new year didn’t feel real unless I had a new planner for it. In 2022-2023, I was working a temp position at the food bank and started a part-time virtual assistant gig to make more money. As I was working on a free digital product to support service based businesses with their client call notetaking in Canva, I ended up playing around with different cover designs, calendars, weekly planners etc. I started creating things that I loved and wanted to see come to life, i just had no idea how to get it made. So I sat on the idea for another year. Until, 2025 when I had my son, and the idea kept coming back to start a planner business. I finally took the leap and went on Youtube University to learn where other small planner brands got their products manufactured, started reaching out to vendors and before I knew it, I had journals sent to mass production for our very first launch in February.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A lottttt of lessons learned which has made my small business journey so rewarding. Running a small business as a mom who works a 9-5, definitely has its challenges. I am grateful for the support of my
Husband and loved ones, because you can really be hard on yourself. It’s easy to be consumed by your business — because you’re just so passionate about it and want it to be successful because you believe in it. I make efforts to step away from my business very frequently bro allow myself to reset and get grounded in my purpose, as well as reminding myself that the success of my business does not determine my worth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work full-time in a project management capacity. I have 2 master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s from Spelman College which was my dream school. I am
Passionate about serving vulnerable communities by advancing environmental justice.
I’m proud of my resilience, tenacity and passion for helping others. What sets me apart is I’m a big dreamer and once I set my eyes on something, and can’t get it out of my head, I absolutely have to go for it. I have an entrepreneurial spirit, and I’m not afraid to try new things. I’ve had a podcast, a virtual assistant business and now a stationery business.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’ve met and partnered with a lot of Black women-owned businesses. They run businesses in and near my community, and it’s been a pleasure to learn from them. Through their advice and encouragement, I’ve received my first event sponsorship, hosted 2 community events and celebrated my planner launch.
Pricing:
- $34 personal wide planner covers
- $28 6 month insert
- $32 12 month insert
Contact Info:
- Website: https://groundedpaper.com
- Instagram: @groundedpaperco
- Other: tiktok @groundedpaperco
