We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kadijah Oliver. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kadijah below.

Hi Kadijah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.

One night I woke up from a dream. I got up around 2 am and I began to think about the dream. I pulled out my laptop and began to write the vision. I sat at my laptop for 3 days. I barely moved or slept. I designed my logo, business cards, website, and business email address. I had no clue even where to start, but I did it. I sat and said, “Lord, do it for me.” I decided since I was new to do a sale to introduce them to my business. I had no portfolio or reviews and I started off charging my worth. I charged $250 for a fully functional website that included SEO. My designing skills were not basic. The deal was 50% off my websites starting at $500. I continued to market and interact through Facebook Groups, Instagram, and other social media outlets. Within the first day, I made over 1k. I remember smiling, grabbing my laptop, and working day and night thereafter to provide the best experience.

Ever since then, it’s been up. Many doors have opened. In my first year in business, I made over 25k from a dream I pursued. I can only give honor to God because he did it.

Kadijah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Kadijah Oliver, the owner of Kandi & Co. Productions, LLC, and Kandi Kam Photography. I am a native of Ozark, Alabama, but have lived all over. I graduated from Carroll High School in Ozark, Alabama. I graduated from the University of South Alabama, where I served as President of an African American Honor Society named Abeneefoo Kuo. I served in many leadership roles throughout my undergraduate school years, including participating in organizations that stood on bystander intervention and equality. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I continued my career in the U.S. Air National Guard.

My time away in my military career ignited my creativity through graphic design. I have always had a passion for graphic design and photography since my preteen years. I decided to start with graphic design. I played around with graphic design by creating flyers for churches and various organizations, including working with college organizations on organizational content. Graphic design and photography made me comfortable with myself. I used my creativity as a form of self-care. Which helped birth Kandi & Co. Productions, LLC.

Kandi & Co. Productions is a multimedia brand that specializes in graphic design, website design, photography, writing services, virtual assistance, and mentoring/coaching. Kandi & Co. Productions has another entity named Kandi Kam Photography. Kandi Kam Photography is a traveling photography brand that specializes in wedding photography, commercial/real estate photography, life photography, events, and more.

Kandi & Co. Productions legit was birthed overnight. I had a dream that woke me up at roughly 2:00 am. I saw the vision and sat for 3 days in front of my computer. I developed my pricing list, logo design, business cards, website, policies, and more within those 3 days. I built my website with no knowledge or tools. I saw the vision and I promise you It’s like the knowledge downloaded in me. Everything from branding colors to SEO was downloaded through this vision and I was able to execute what I saw. I’m a believer in God and he stayed with me within those 3 days. I stayed up from sunrise to sunset.

Before I fully launched Kandi and Co. Productions, I prayed and asked GOD to help me overcome some of my fears of failure, not having adequate support, and not reaching my sales goals. God showed out my first year. Kandi & Co, Productions made 25K+ in the first year of business. I was stunned because he gave me more than I asked for and it strengthened me to continue up until now.

Being a business owner wasn’t easy. I had a few hiccups along the way. In my first year, I had my first chargeback, which made me strengthen my policies. It taught me to have respect for myself as an entrepreneur. It made me remember that I don’t work for them, I work for myself. My policies are my policies and no one else could dictate or change those policies. I learned in my first year that all money isn’t good money. I also learned to accept only your targeted client. I struggled with only accepting my targeted client. I had a heart for people and wanted to see everyone succeed and in the long run, it backfired on me.

Also, as an entrepreneur, you have to have discipline, including a work and home balance. What fun is it to work all day and never enjoy your family and friends? I had to learn to put the computer/mouse down and say no I will not answer my client at 11:10 pm. I am closed. My next business day isn’t until Monday at 10:00 am. I had to tell myself to say “no” to many things that I conditioned myself to say “yes” to and allowed within my personal space. So, now I stick to my policies. It’s hard, but it’s necessary to preserve me as an entrepreneur.

Many have asked, how do I do it? I must say first God and then support. In the beginning, did I feel like I had no support? I did. I felt like that, but never expressed it. I may have mentioned the lack of support to close and immediate friends and family, but I wanted the world to see the positive. I wanted the world to see my brand differently, so I developed a one-stop shop for them. There are many brands in the industry that can focus solely on graphic design. I don’t focus on just graphic design. There is more that I focus on. I’m not in it just for the money, even though it’s an amazing thing. I’m in this industry to change how entrepreneurs see themselves. Yes, they have a “small” business, but to have a large business/corporation you have to change your mindset. I’m in the industry to challenge my clients to be their best selves mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I’m not just checking on your business, but I am checking on you as well. Sometimes as entrepreneurs we need other entrepreneurs in our circle to listen and push us. That’s what my brands are about. This strategy has opened many doors for me.

I have been featured in over 300+ magazines, news articles, podcasts, and more. I’ve worked with and met celebrities through the content I have designed. I never would have thought that the doors that have opened for me would ever open for me. I am an educated African American woman that stepped into an industry that many have not succeeded well and at times have had a bad reputation due to the high demand for designers and potential clients that have had a negative experience with other designers or have been scammed during the process of trying to reach success.

I love what I do because I do it for real. I’ve seen the good, bad, and ugly in my industry and through my career. Everything I know now, opened my heart to build the next generation of entrepreneurs within the industry. I opened a mentorship program for 11-17 years olds teaching them about various life lessons and graphic design/website design.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There was a time in my entrepreneurial career when I struggled mentally and career-wise. I became burnt out and overwhelmed. I almost closed my businesses. I had many projects and clients, but because I stretched myself thin, it made me develop a hatred for my passion. I wanted to quit, but the more I wanted to quit, the more when I slept I would have different dreams regarding the business and the work that I created. I could see so many lives inspired by both of my businesses. I took a break to FIX ME. I had to fix myself before I poured out for others. I had to DEAL WITH MYSELF. There were things I struggled with privately. Once I dealt with myself, it taught me how to be an entrepreneur that understood my worth.

Now dealing with me wasn’t the best feeling. I did have some people in my corner that challenged me to be better. They checked on me and reached me where I was. Was it the best feeling? No, because it’s uncomfortable, but It was necessary to birth the person I am now. I’m not the best, but some changes helped me tackle these challenges.

I learned that money and clients didn’t dictate my success. My success was unmeasurable. I mattered and to be the best entrepreneur that I could be, I had to step away and say Kadijah/Kandi it’s time to fix you. Once I fixed myself, I came back with a new zeal. I came back with new ideas, better design concepts, and more.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Sometimes designs can come instantly and sometimes you have to put in the work. I have had creative blocks for days. A project can be due in 7 days, but on that 7th day, I may not see the vision. Many believe that a true website can be built within twenty-four hours perfectly, but it doesn’t work like that. There is more to designing than what many people think. It’s not a few clicks and adding images and the content is done. No, it’s studying the brand, understanding the desired results, and playing with a design until a. you decide to start over because you see something else or b. photoshop closing on you and forcing you to create something new.

To get the desired results, you have to put in the work. It may require investing, As an entrepreneur, it’s important to invest. YES, there is risk when investing, but I always recommend doing research, interacting with the potential designer, and studying their policies

Designing is a passion of mine, it’s my way of relieving stress and channeling my inner creativity. It’s not a hobby, but a tool that I use to build relationships with others that strive to go further than they currently are.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kandiandcoproductions.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kandiandcoproductions?igshid=YzA2ZDJiZGQ=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kandiandcoproductions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kandicoproductions/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCPTa-ZKcsZhpdITg7Pgjo7A
• Other: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kandikamphotography Instagram: https://instagram.com/kandi_kam_photography?igshid=YzA2ZDJiZGQ= Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kandiandcoproductions?_t=8VqEYw70nVr&_r=1

Image Credits
For the image of myself, I would love to give credit to Dave Bullen of Designs for Life Studios