We recently connected with Karen Prescod and have shared our conversation below.
Karen , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
The story behind my mission is simple. It’s based on my chronic pain journey. In 2009, I had my second neck surgery, and it didn’t go well. I left the hospital unable to walk, and my pain was worse after surgery than before I went in.
Having my pain at a level ten, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no break in-between and no relief from anything the doctors provided, I became depressed, developed anxiety, severe panic attacks, and attempted suicide. When I realized I was still alive, I knew I had a greater purpose. Through the journey of coming back from that and using the practice of meditation, Bowtie Kids™ was born.
In October 2015, my nonprofit, Prescod Kids Inc./DBA Bowtie Kids, was born. Although the corporation was formed in 2015, it sat dormant until 2018. What began in February 2017 as an easy way to attract people to start a conversation, the bowtie became a symbol for a lifestyle brand to extend personal creative expression using fashion as the vehicle. In November 2017, I launched The Bowtie Gurl ™, and shortly after, it made sense for my nonprofit to become a DBA – Bowtie Kids, because of what the bowtie represents for me. Courage, Confidence, and Self-Expression. Wearing a bowtie is about how it makes you feel and what message you want to convey. It’s about being empowered in your truth and expressing that truth creatively through fashion.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago and moved to the U.S. 34 years ago. I have a 30-year-old daughter who lives in CT, and I am married to my amazing wife and favorite blue lipstick wearer, Tracey Prescod.
Everything that I do is about living a life of truth and authenticity. I feel fully me in all areas of my life. Because of my journey with chronic physical pain and the mental health challenges I faced because of that experience, I started getting invitations to share my story with others. I am proud to say that I am an author, speaker, chronic pain and leadership coach, serial entrepreneur, and socialpreneur.
My interest and love affair with fashion and design began at 16. While growing up on the island of Trinidad & Tobago, I originally wanted to take Automotive Mechanic classes in school, but girls were not allowed to take those classes back then. I ended up in a dressmaking and design class, where I excelled and found a love for fashion. After interning with some of the top fashion icons, I had the vision to own a clothing line one day, which stayed with me throughout the rest of my life.
After moving to the United States, I got into restaurant and retail management. One of my first jobs here was working at McDonald’s, where I developed my management skills. Since then, I have learned that there is a big difference between being a manager and a leader. As a servant leader, I have served on many boards, executive committees, nominating committees, and government affairs committees. I currently serve as Co-Vice Chair of the NSU M.P.A in Nonprofit Advisory Board and Chair of the Homelessness Committee on the Broward Sheriff’s Office –Social Justice Taskforce. I have earned recognition and awards because of my leadership experiences, which I am truly grateful for. Being in service is at the core of who I am, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be who I am, fully expressed, and do what I love. My vision for the world is oneness, and I hold space for it. Everything took its natural path to lead me to where I am and to be the person I have become, and my journey has helped me be in a place to support individuals on their path to healing.
Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?
I’ve always wanted to create an androgynous clothing line. It had been a long-term dream of mine. My wife said, “What about The Bowtie Girl? You are the bowtie girl, and you are androgynous. It is a natural fit because the community gave you that name.”
I thought that was a great idea, and that’s how The Bowtie Gurl was born. I brought a table sewing machine, watched a few YouTube videos, and learned to make a bowtie. In the beginning, I didn’t have much to figure out after that because I was making them, and each piece was handcrafted. As the creative visionary, designer, and maker, the biggest hurdle was finding the time to make it all happen. I currently only take custom orders, and I am searching for the right partner/partners to outsource the manufacturing to distribute our pieces to the masses.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
The first thing I believe is essential when leading a team is putting the right people in the correct position. Most people miss this mark – big time.
- Set clear expectations; no one can read minds. I had to learn this the hard way.
- Take ownership of everything.
- Learn what’s important to each individual on your team.
- Get buy-in from your team and have them be part of some of the decisions.
- Have them come up with the ideas. Being a part of creating something or actively finding a solution will support them and keep them motivated.
We all want to belong, be seen, heard, and contribute in a meaningful way. If we can make those things happen for everyone on our team, it’s a win-win, and it starts at the top.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://karenprescod.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebowtiegurl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenprescod
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenprescod/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfXOqUgIsJGU7cDl4F2VeNw
Image Credits
Paul McDermott Graciela Valdes