As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Keiwana Eaton.
Keiwana Eaton is the founder and CEO of OptiSyncPro, a software platform that helps small businesses streamline their inventory management. With a background in supply chain management across industries like aviation, hospitality, beauty, and fashion, she brings a wealth of experience to her work. A U.S. Navy veteran, Keiwana draws from her unique journey to create practical, real-world solutions for e-commerce businesses and boutique hotels.
As a first-generation SaaS founder and a Black woman in tech, Keiwana shares her entrepreneurial journey openly, connecting with her audience through platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok. Her content inspires others to push through challenges, especially those navigating the early stages of business with limited resources.
OptiSyncPro is already available on the Shopify App Store, but Keiwana’s vision goes beyond e-commerce. She plans to expand her software to serve the hospitality and aviation industries, always keeping a focus on helping businesses grow more efficiently. Keiwana is driven by her mission to not only build a successful company but also to create opportunities for others and give back to the communities she serves.
Here’s what we found out about Keiwana’s daily routine, followed by an exclusive Q+A.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur, and what sparked the idea for your business?
I was raised by my grandmother who had an eighth grade education. As a teenager, having a family legacy became important to me. I quickly realized that I was the next generation, and with that, came the responsibility to take our family forward. In my mind, I wanted to shoot for the moon. After enlisting in the US Navy, I was introduced to the world of supply chain management. By sticking with this career field of choice, I was able to navigate through several different industries–aviation, beauty, fashion, and hospitality. The common thread among them all was that they did not understand inventory management and how it would give them a competitive advantage in their industry. I realized that large corporations had the finances to invest in sophisticated software or a subject matter expert, but small businesses didn’t stand a chance with resources or time to gain the knowledge. I saw and decided to bridge this gap with OptiSyncPro.
As a woman navigating the business world, what challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
I realized early on from my time serving in the US Navy that I would have to be more stern and firm to be taken seriously in male dominated spaces. Doing so, coupled with consistency, resilience, and the willingness to keep pushing through adversity has been key for me. I also realized that surrounding myself with the right people, whether through mentorship or partnerships, makes a world of difference, by helping me to stay focused and confident.
How do you balance the demands of running a business with maintaining a healthy personal life?
I’d be lying if I said it’s easy. I’m still figuring it out. But what I’ve learned is that you have to be intentional about how you spend your time. Wasted time actually makes me angry, so I set clear boundaries between work and personal time, even if that just means scheduling a walk or workout every day. With some health challenges from my military service, I’ve learned that if I don’t take care of myself, I won’t have the energy to grow my business. Self-care is a priority, but it’s always a work in progress.
Which networking strategies have most effectively built meaningful connections within your industry?
For me, it’s all about being authentic and engaging in real conversations. To do so, I particularly like to attend events nationally, as well as through my local chamber of commerce. I’ve found that by being interested in someone else’s journey creates those lasting relationships. I also find that sharing my journey as a first-generation college graduate, military veteran, and now tech founder resonates with people on LinkedIn and TikTok. Participating in accelerators such as Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans and Founder Institute provides me with access to an incredible network of investors and entrepreneurs.
How do you approach mentorship, and how has it shaped your entrepreneurial path?
Mentorship is huge for me. I believe in learning from people who’ve been where I want to go. My approach is to be humble but also to seek mentors who push me outside my comfort zone. I’m fortunate to have a strong spiritual leader, Ron Toliver, who keeps me grounded, and business mentors who help me navigate the complexities of scaling a SaaS company. Mentorship has shaped my path by giving me perspectives I wouldn’t have considered otherwise. It’s also helped me avoid certain mistakes and fast-tracked my growth, both personally and professionally.
What strategies have worked best for selling your products and reaching your ideal customers?
Understanding my customers’ pain points has been the most effective strategy, and it is an ongoing process. I cater to small e-commerce businesses, and I’m always transparent about how OptiSyncPro can save them time and money by streamlining inventory and vendor management. Offering a 7-day free trial helps me get the product into customers’ hands without any upfront commitment, obtain their feedback, and improve as we go. Additionally, marketing directly where my target audience is, is instrumental in gaining visibility.
Which marketing techniques have been most successful for your business, and how do you track their performance?
I focus heavily on content marketing and organic growth. Sharing educational content, whether it’s about inventory management tips or my journey as a SaaS founder, helps build trust. I track the success of my efforts primarily through conversion rates and customer feedback. I’m also experimenting with more email marketing strategies, tying in inventory management with getting products into hotels. Word of mouth and partnerships are also key to getting in front of audiences that I may have not ordinarily. Tracking performance is key, so I use analytics to measure traffic and conversions, particularly from Shopify and social media platforms.
Can you share a significant setback in your business journey and the steps you took to overcome it?
A significant setback was dealing with the financial strain of being pre-revenue. There were moments when I questioned whether I could keep OptiSyncPro going. But instead of letting that stop me, I became more resourceful. I focused on building affiliate partnerships that didn’t require upfront costs and found creative ways to market without blowing my budget. I also started offering consulting services outside of the app, which helped keep the business afloat while I worked on scaling the software side.
What’s the most important advice you’d give to women just starting their entrepreneurial journey?
Don’t wait for perfect conditions to start. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable because growth happens outside your comfort zone. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, but also make sure you have mentors who will challenge you. And most importantly, be ok with pivoting, but stay true to your vision—there will be countless distractions and naysayers, but your conviction will drive you forward.
Is there a mantra or quote that guides your actions and decision-making as an entrepreneur?
I live by, “If I have breath, then I still have life.” To me, that means, keep trying.
