We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kenedi Felicia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kenedi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about growing your team – how did you recruit the first few people, what was the process like, how’d you go about training and if you were to start over today would you have done anything differently?
When I started my business storiesbyken back in March of 2020, It was just me running everything and teaching myself the in and outs about entrepreneurship. Being in my shoes means wearing a lot of different hats. As an author and a small business owner, I’m responsible for nearly every aspect of my business. From writing, editing, content creating, marketing, and social media management to handling finances, customers, and more, there’s a constant balancing act. As of January 2024, I now work closely with my illustrator and graphic designer, who bring my vision to life visually, but ultimately, I oversee the entire process. I met my illustrator and graphic designer in college, were all students majoring in completely different fields. I am a medical major while they both are in the artist/drawing/ graphic design majors. As a creator from Baltimore, it is important to me that whoever I choose to work with me side by side during my first book needed to be from my hometown. I am really huge on support and showing love to my community because where I come from I know the difficulties it takes just to get any support. It doesn’t come easy. I come from a small city that is filled with some amazing people who have incredible gifts/talents. I’m going to always try my best to shine the light on others who is working towards the same common goal as myself. I believe that is the only way we can all make it out of Baltimore. Not having a team right now can be overwhelming at times, as there’s no one to delegate the other essential tasks to. Yet, this also allows me to retain creative control and ensure that my brand stays true to its core values. I take pride in knowing that my success or failure is a direct result of my efforts and decisions. It’s challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding, especially when I see the impact my work has on readers and customers. Nonetheless, I am extremely grateful and blessed for the two ladies I am working with right now on my first project and I know in due time god will equip me with everything I need as long as I continue to stay the course and remain true to myself.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve been writing poetry since I was around 10 years old, and over the years, it’s became a way for me to process and share my personal experiences. Much of what I write stems from moments in my life that I believe many people can relate to. My poetry often explores universal themes- like love, grief, betrayal, resilience, and self- discovery- but through the lens of my own journey. Being a 3 time award-winning poet has been both humbling and motivating, as it reinforces the impact my words have on others. I’ve also decided to expand my creative pursuits beyond poetry, becoming a small business owner. I believe what sets me apart from others is my unique combination of experiences as both an award-winning poet and a small business owner. My journey in poetry has refined my ability to convey deep emotions and stories through words, and I’ve carried that same skill into my business ventures. Currently as everyone may know I have my first book Now You See Me set to release in March 2025. In addition to that, I am working on a customizable journal that is designed for people to tell their own stories, not in a one -size-fits-all format, but in a way that’s deeply personal and customizable. Each person can make the journal their own with different inserts and tabs, reflecting their individuality. This level of customization and personal connection is something I bring into everything I create, making sure that my work, whether in poetry or business, is both meaningful and impactful.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A hard lesson I had to unlearn is that nobody owes you anything. When I first started as a author, I expected my closest friends and family to be my biggest supporters, but I quickly realized that wasn’t the case. Some didn’t believe in my talent, and others simply didn’t show any interest in my work. At first, it was disappointing and very discouraging. But I came to understand that their support, or lack thereof, doesn’t define my worth or success. I had to shift my focus to the people who do support me, regardless of whether they know me personally. That mindset change has made all the difference- it allowed me to build a community of readers and supporters who genuinely connect with my work and believe in what I’m doing. It was a tough but valuable lesson in resilience and self- reliance.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to take something deeply personal and turn it into a form of expression that resonates with others. Whether it’s through my poetry or the products I create as a business owner, there’s a special connection that forms when someone sees themselves in my work or is inspired by it. Knowing that something I’ve created has touched someone’s life, given them comfort, or made them feel understood is incredibly fulfilling. It’s the impact my creativity has on others that keep me going. It’s the main reason why I decided to share my gift with the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://storiesbyken.com
- Instagram: storiesbyken
- Other: Inquiries or Bookings please email [email protected]
Image Credits
The Eunoia Effect