An Insight Into The Founder

Read on as we interview the brains behind the brand, Jasmin Jeffery.

How did you get your idea or concept for KOMPAK?

It was during my first official prep back in June (2017) when the idea first started for KOMPAK. I remember finding it really overwhelming and stressful having to get everything I needed from sooo many different places. I was working flat out, scrolling the internet and running around the high street thinking ‘WHY IS THIS SO HARD’ 🤣

When did you start KOMPAK?

March (2018), but I started working on the idea right back in July (2017) after my comp. During that time I went to as many free business seminars and workshops as I could as much as I could about running a business from finances, website design, all the things you don’t instantly think about!

What is your background in...

Education / I did A-Levels in Art, Maths, French and Sociology then I did a degree in International Media and Communications at Nottingham University, during uni I went to Malaysia for the whole of my second year which was pretty cool! I never really had a set ‘goal’ but I knew I liked art, helping others, being creative and working with people so I rolled with that until I decided to get my first job in Marketing!

Career / After doing a random amount of volunteering and work experience as a teenager and during my uni days. I was lucky to get a job the week after I graduated as a Digital Marketing Assistant at a small local company in Northampton. After six months I landed a job in Manchester with my job interview being having to interview Anthony Joshua! It was being in Manchester I met my now husband who encouraged me to start doing marketing work as a freelancer. During that time I competed and BOOM here is KOMPAK!

Business / never had a business and always worked for someone else! The knowledge I had just before starting was VERY limited to watching The Apprentice LOL!

Competing / My competing background started in 2015 when I competed with Fit Factor at BodyPower. during my last year of university. In 2017 I moved over to PCA and competed at PCA Hampshire with a top 6 placing. In 2018 I went all out and started the season with PCA London in September. I then did 2Bros, where I placed 3rd in Bikini Open, and then finished with Miami Pro, where I gained PRO status in the Ms Model category - these were both in October! I wanted to try different federations to push myself outside of my comfort zone, so I really used last year as a time to explore! I loved switching up my looks for each show and realised how easy it was to do with small changes to posing, jewellery and your overall presentation.

What made you choose to start a business in the bodybuilding industry?

I never planned to start a business in the industry, but I became frustrated with the experiences I had in the industry when I first started out and knew that so much more could be done to provide more support and information. I wanted to combine my love for being creative with an industry I quickly fell in love with and felt so passionate about.

What was your mission at the outset?

To create not just a brand, not just a community but an actual movement in the industry. Create something where competitors know that they will get genuine help and support whatever stage of the journey they are at. I also wanted to put bodybuilding/competing in the more 'mainstream' world but in a positive light.

What are your responsibilities as a business owner?

Where would you like me to start? 😏🤣

My responsibilities can be anything from packing orders to emailing customers, tweaking the website, creating content, attending shows, to even putting bikini tape on backstage! Being a small business owner, you end up doing everything from the accounts to marketing! But it’s all part of the fun and with doing that I’ve learnt so much about business and myself with growing KOMPAK. The long term goal is to grow my team with like-minded, ambitious and innovative people so KOMPAK can continue to make a positive impact on the global competing scene.

What’s been the biggest challenge with running your own business?

In my personal life, it was hard realising that some of my friends and family didn’t understand or support what I was doing and why I was doing it. I think whether it’s prepping or starting a business, I think this can be one of the hardest things to deal with. But you learn who really has your back and who really cares. Quality over quantity!

On the business front, I'm naturally more of a creative person, so the logistics side - understanding cash flow and finances, have been the biggest challenge so far. Starting the business with less than £500 was a massive struggle as I had to start building stock from only having a couple of items at my house at the time, it was only in the second year where I started to build up more stock in the shoe and jewellery range. Another challenge like any business first starting out is making enough sales so you can cover your living costs while constantly re-investing back into the company to make it better for competitors. But 2020 will hopefully be a game-changer as we invest in more stock via external financial investment.

What are your future goals for KOMPAK? For example, where do you see yourself in say 5 years?

I do find it quite hard to stick to a set goal with KOMPAK, as the industry changes every year, and I am a different person to what I was last year, so everything can change so fast! But I see myself working full time for KOMPAK surrounded by a group of incredible individuals both inside and outside the competing space. Right now I am working another job while I continue to reinvest back into KOMPAK, so fingers crossed this can become a reality next year! I want KOMPAK to be a real hub of information and support for people, so it can truly support the industry and the incredible people in it.

If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out their business, what would it be?

I could say sooo many different things right now. But one thing I would say is that you are fooled if you think you can do this alone. KOMPAK would not be where it is today without the help of my athletes, friends, family and many more to name a few. KOMPAK has only grown from strength to strength thanks to the incredible support of the people around me, and the feedback you guys give as well. It all helps to create something new and exciting.

If you have any questions you want to ask Jasmin about competing, life or business you can find her on her personal Instagram @jasminjuliajeffery