This month, Stardust is shining a spotlight on female entrepreneurs. We interviewed Katie Ahlfield, a Richmond, VA-based designer, to see how women can create their own niche, using their unique talent and vision to become entrepreneurs. Katie runs KT’s Home Decor and Designs.

Katie doesn’t necessarily view sexism as a defining part of being an emerging women entrepreneur, but balancing work and family can be a huge challenge. Katie is a single mom, who home schools her nine-year-old daughter, “a major juggle” to do while being an emerging woman entrepreneur. It might not be a gender-specific problem (men have children too), but balancing childcare with professional responsibilities is often a heavier burden for working women.

From an early age, Katie’s daughter is learning an attitude that fuels many entrepreneurs and startup founders. You are not limited to what is prescribed - you can use your talents and imagination to create something new, an attitude that fuels many startups and entrepreneurs.