We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kara Payne. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kara below.
Kara , appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later
Definitely sooner. I remember sitting at lunch in my hometown of Saint Petersburg, Florida, with some longtime friends when we were discussing the fact that I was a 20-something Pastor’s wife. This has to be in like 2018 or 2019. One of them suggested I should start to blog about my experience as a millennial “First Lady.” Do I still go out dancing with my girlfriends? Do I enjoy a cute cocktail or a glass of wine when out to dinner in public? Fast forward three or four years, and I didn’t officially launch the EnLIGHTened First Lady, LLC until January 2022. I feel that if I had started earlier when the suggestion was first brought up, I might be further in my business goals. Perhaps the EnLIGHTened First Lady would really be a household name, instead of a fledgling brand that I am currently trying to grow. I am a firm believer, however, that “what God has for you is for you.” Said a different way, “what is for you, will not miss you.” So I am moving forward, sharing my story and that of other clergy wives with the goal of expanding and refreshing the narrative of what it means to be a “First Lady” in the 21st Century and building community among women walking this unique journey.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Kara Payne, the CEO and Founder of The EnLIGHTened First Lady, LLC — which seeks to expand and refresh the narrative on what it means to be a Pastor’s wife or “First Lady” in the 21st Century.
Through EnLIGHTened First Lady, I share my journey as a millennial pastor’s wife and working mom, offering candid insights and encouragement for women balancing faith, family, and leadership. I also host The EnLIGHTened First Lady Show, a podcast designed to inspire and connect women of faith. Beyond that, I curate and host events that foster fellowship among clergy wives and use my communications background to help other faith-based organizations share their stories with impact and authenticity.
Currently, I am a corporate communicator by day, and a busy wife, mama, and budding entrepreneur/content creator by night.
My career began in media, working as a reporter and producer covering state government. Eventually, I moved over to the PR/Marketing side of the business, as many burnt out journalists often do.
I’m a proud Florida State University graduate, and in 2020 — the same year my son, Marcus (affectionately known as Deuce), was born during the global pandemic — I earned my Master’s in Public Administration from the University of West Florida.
I’m also blessed to be the wife of Reverend Marcus Payne, Lead Pastor of a local church in the north Florida community. Together, we’re raising our two beautiful children, and our fur baby, Major Payne.
Among the other hats I wear I’m also deeply involved in my community. I currently serve as President of the Florida Conference Ministers Spouse Alliance of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, representing much of the North Florida Panhandle, and I sit on the Advisory Council for Safe Families for Children (North Florida Chapter). I am a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the National Black Alumni at Florida State University.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I remember when I was just starting out in the journalism world, I was trying to make it as a TV reporter and was working two jobs because I worked the graveyard shift (overnight) at the local TV station. I was working at an ad agency during the day, but it wasn’t work I was as passionate about, and it showed up in my performance. Ultimately, the agency decided to let me go. I was devastated. I had never been fired from anything before. I felt like I had failed; I was embarrassed. However, I knew I needed additional income to be on my own and not have to move back to St. Pete and live with my parents. So, one Sunday morning after church service had ended, I walked up to the Pastor at the time to ask him if the church needed any kind of media/communications support, and thankfully, they needed someone to send out weekly announcements and edit their Sunday service that was airing on TV. This was a lesson in humility, because I’m pretty sure he had offered me a position a few months prior that I turned down. This was also a lesson in being good to people and not being afraid to put yourself out there. The saying “you miss out on 100% of the chances you don’t take” is truly a statement to live by. I would encourage anyone to get clear on their goals, be authentic, and not be afraid to go for what it is they desire. You may fail, but you may fly. You will never know until you try.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Growing my audience on social media has been a challenge. I have learned I can’t chase an algorithm and instead chase authenticity. I post what I want, and if it resonates or makes someone smile, I’ve achieved my goal. Mattie James is an influencer I’ve been following for years, and she often says that when we get consumed in numbers and likes, we have to put things into perspective. Sometimes I get disappointed when, say, 100 people see a reel. But as she puts it, if I were in a room with 100 people listening to what I had to say, I would feel pretty darn proud and accomplished. I would also encourage people to do their research and not just jump on any trend or be so quick to utilize a new feature. For instance, a couple of years ago, there was a new feature that came out that could quickly scrub so-called “inactive followers.” I jumped on it and ended up losing something like 1200 followers. Turns out the feature wasn’t foolproof and was scrubbing engaged members of my community as well. I think my younger sister was even scrubbed in the process. I honestly haven’t rebounded fully since then, and it’s something I think about often.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.enlightenedfirstlady.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kladypayne
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kladypayne/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-irby-msa-3283803b/
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@KLadyPayne
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/3teb6r9pUA
Image Credits
Headshot – Soul Design Media
Baby Shower PIc – Mark Gail
Family Matching Pic – Kenny Irby
Pictures of me in pink and green suit and white dress at mic – Kenzie L.