We recently connected with Kari Sorensen and have shared our conversation below.

Kari, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission is personal because I’ve been where so many of my clients are—passionate, talented, and full of ideas, but held back by circumstances, outdated expectations, and a system that doesn’t always recognize the value of women, especially moms.

For years, I worked in education and later in an agency, always giving my all, only to be dismissed, overworked, and undervalued. I saw my talents go unrecognized and my growth stifled. When I finally stepped out on my own, everything changed. My voice mattered. My creativity had purpose. And most importantly, I realized I could help other women break free from those same limiting spaces and build something incredible for themselves.

That’s why I created Kinship Creative LLC—not just as a design studio but as a place where women feel truly seen and supported. I don’t operate like an agency, where clients are just another invoice, and I don’t leave them to struggle through the DIY route alone. I show up as their business best friend—holding their hand, guiding them through the overwhelming parts, and making sure they walk away with so much more than just a website or a logo. My clients get a boutique experience filled with strategy, creativity, and care, tailored to their unique vision. I give them the tools, confidence, and encouragement to step fully into the business they’ve been dreaming of.

Because at the heart of it all, my mission is about empowerment. It’s about making sure no woman feels like she has to choose between her dreams and her family. She deserves both. And I’m here to make sure she gets them.

Kari, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Kari, and I’m the founder of Kinship Creative, a creative boutique website design and marketing studio dedicated to helping women—especially moms—build thriving businesses without sacrificing their family life or personal well-being. (Although, some of my clients are men, too!)

How I Got Into This Industry
My path to entrepreneurship wasn’t exactly linear. I spent over 15 years in education, working with both children and adults. A big part of my job was helping people develop the confidence and skills to re-enter the workforce—teaching them how to market themselves, build résumés, and navigate career transitions. I also created hands-on training content for both Microsoft and Google. But despite my passion for business and marketing, I kept running into roadblocks when I tried to expand my role. When I offered to take on marketing work for free at my school, I was turned down.

So I pivoted, thinking an agency setting would allow me to grow. Instead, I found myself in a toxic environment where clients were misled, employees were overworked, and creativity was stifled. I was told to stay in my lane, to tolerate unethical practices, put the company as my top priority OVER my children, and that wanting more was a problem.

I was unexpectedly laid off and I truly feel like I was discriminated upon because I had children. I was told I was the hardest working employee there but they needed to let someone go because they were losing contracts left and right. This is my exact point and it was fate that I was let go. I knew I couldn’t be the only woman feeling undervalued, unseen, and stuck. And I realized that if no one was going to give me the space to thrive, I’d have to create it myself.

What I Do Now & How I Help
That’s how Kinship Creative was born. Today, I provide:
Custom website design & builds (full service) – crafted specifically for each business’s needs
Branding & graphic design – logos, brand identity, creative direction with branding photoshoots, business assets
Business consulting & marketing support – strategies to grow and stand out
A boutique experience with hands-on guidance – so my clients never feel lost

What truly sets me apart is how I show up for my clients. I’m not just a designer or consultant—I’m their business best friend. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions, and I don’t just hand over a logo or website and disappear. I hold my clients’ hands through the process, ensuring they walk away not just with a brand, but with confidence, clarity, and the tools to succeed on their own.

I work with a lot of moms and women entrepreneur who are juggling everything—kids, work, life—and feel overwhelmed at the thought of launching or growing a business. I take that weight off their shoulders by helping them build something beautiful, functional, and aligned with their vision. Whether they’re starting from scratch or rebranding, I make sure they feel supported every step of the way

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of the impact I’ve had on my clients’ lives. I’ve helped women turn ideas they thought were “too big” or “too complicated” into thriving businesses. I’ve watched them gain confidence, step into their power, and finally get recognized for their talents and hard work. That means more to me than anything.

What I Want People to Know About Me & My Work
I want people to know that this is personal for me. I know what it’s like to feel stuck, to be underestimated, to feel like you’re meant for more but not know how to get there. That’s why I do what I do. My business isn’t just about design or marketing—it’s about empowerment, transformation, and giving women the tools to build a life and business they love. This is how I’ve coined the name “your small business best friend”

If you’ve been dreaming of starting or growing your business but don’t know where to start, I’m here to help. You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s build something amazing together.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

This is a deeply personal story, but one that has shaped who I am today.

In less than a week, my entire life was turned upside down. I went through a divorce and was hit head-on by a drunk driver in a horrific car accident in 2017. In an instant, I lost everything—my stability, my belongings, and nearly my life. My body was broken, my mind shattered, my emotions raw. I had nothing to stand on, no safety net, and no one to carry me through the aftermath. I should not be here today.

But I am here. And I didn’t let that experience define me.

I had to heal—physically, mentally, emotionally—all while rebuilding my life from Ground Zero, completely alone. There were visible scars, metal in my body that will always be a part of me, but I refused to let them become who I am. I refused to let trauma or hardship write my story. Instead, I chose to rise—like a phoenix—creating new ground, new opportunities, and a new life on my own terms.

I stood in that courtroom, face to face with the man who hit me, and read my victim statement alone. But I didn’t allow that moment to make me feel small. I didn’t let it define me as a victim. If anything, it made me stronger. My tolerance for being put in a box, for being undervalued, dismissed, or overlooked, disappeared. My standards for my life and my future? They skyrocketed.

That resilience is what fuels my work today. I know what it’s like to start over. I know what it’s like to feel like everything has been stripped away. And I know the power of choosing to rise anyway. That’s what I help my clients do—whether they’re launching a business, rebranding, or finding the courage to step into the life they truly want. I don’t just build websites or brands—I help women build themselves back up. Because no matter what life throws at you, you can create something beautiful from the ashes. I am living proof of that.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I first started building my social media presence, I had no grand strategy or perfectly curated brand. I just started showing up. I shared what I knew, I spoke from the heart, and I let people see me—not some perfectly polished version of what I thought a business owner should be.

The biggest mistake I see entrepreneurs make is waiting for everything to be “perfect” before they put themselves out there. Don’t do that. Don’t wait until your branding is flawless, your messaging is fine-tuned, or your confidence is unshakable. Just post. Just start. You don’t need the perfect logo, the perfect colors, or the perfect voice to get your first client. You just need to show up consistently, be yourself, and let people connect with you.

For me, my growth happened because I spoke directly to my people—mothers, creatives, and entrepreneurs who wanted to build a business but felt overwhelmed or unseen. I positioned myself as “your business best friend”—someone who wasn’t just selling a service but genuinely cared about their success. That authenticity resonated, and over time, my audience grew.

If you’re just starting out, my advice is simple: be real, be consistent, and don’t let fear hold you back. Perfection is the enemy of progress. Show up, share your knowledge, and speak to the people who need you. Your audience will find you—but only if they can see you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kinship-creative.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinshipcreative805/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kinshipcreative805
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sorensen805/

Image Credits

Leigha Smith