Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kendra DeÀnna. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kendra, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Girl, you’re a singer songwriter, how you are just going to start an event planning business throwing Business Baby Showers, what is that even? How are you going to build a successful business, you don’t even have the right education to know how to run a business? What if you fail?

Those are just a few of the questions that stormed through my mind when starting my business. I got the idea for my business after quitting my job working for a chiropractor.

As a creative, I was struggling going to work every single day. I was not doing what I was passionate about and my husband could clearly see how miserable I was. One day we were talking and he said “Babe, I can see that you’re very unhappy at your job, what can I do to change that. You’re an artist and you should be able to focus on that.” That started the journey to entrepreneurship! One day as we were walking through the mall, we ran into an old childhood friend of mine who was an artist as well and was working for uber. He was at a kiosk recruiting for them and as my husband and I stopped to say hi to him and starting talking, a light bulb went off for my husband and I and we agreed that I would quit my job at the chiropractor and drive for Uber/Lyft to supplement the income I would be losing.

I was both terrified and excited. I am going to finally have the time to work on and perfect my craft, but I would be giving up the security of having a solid paycheck every two weeks and healthcare. What was I doing?!

My last day working at the chiropractor was Tuesday July 11, 2017. Saturday July 15, 2017 I got rear ended in a 3-car accident on the freeway. I was absolutely devastated. All of the planning and saving we did was gone in just one week. I was depressed. My plan had been ruined and I felt like a failure. I said a Prayer and asked God what to do next. As I was scrolling on FB one day, a friend of mine posted a meme that said “We have house warmings parties and baby showers, why can’t we have business showers for our friends that start new businesses.” This was absolutely PERFECT. If I started a business doing that, I could do what I Love, celebrating and supporting new businesses and it would never feel like work! And just like that Rise 2 Glow was born! I begin working on my business but Life got in the way, and I also wanted to continue to focus on my music career, so Rise 2 Glow was put on the back burner until 2019 when I had a miscarriage with what would have been me and my husband’s first child together.

This put so much of my Life into perspective and caused me to really change my priorities. It was then that I knew I needed to put my energy back into building up my company so that in the event that we got pregnant again, I would have something to build up for the future of my family. So I got back to it, and then…..
The world got shut down.

Now, I’m thinking to myself “How in the hell am I supposed to build my company now when everyone is stuck at home?”. So like everyone else, I had to pivot and fast. So I begin offering Virtual Assistance which turned into Social Media Management.
Now in 2022 I am still building up my business and pretty much starting from scratch when it comes to educating people on what a Business Baby Shower is, but I am so proud that I am continuing on the journey despite all the setbacks I have endured while starting my business.

I believe that working for yourself is definitely a huge risk. You can only predict how successful you will be. There’s no way of really knowing, until you actually achieve the level of success you wish to reach.

The beauty is starting true to your Passion and Purpose and enjoying yourself along the way!

Kendra, 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 mission is to make sure that new businesses feel celebrated and supported during the launch of their new business baby, or the launch of a new product/service within their existing business baby. I do this by offering social media management services because really, what business owner wants to run their business and their social media? I also throw business baby showers, which is like a baby shower but for your business. I like to focus on businesses that don’t have a physical location or that are typically looked at as “hobbies” or “side hustles”. The goal is to normalize the celebration of entrepreneurship. We have to remember, that all major companies started off small, and we should be respectful and supportive of new business owners!

What do you find most rewarding about being creative?

Being able to be present for my babygirl and her being able to witness her supermom be a wife, her mommy, and build up a successful business! She is the inspiration for me continuing to build my business. I need her to know that the sky is not the limit. You can create the Life you desire with hard work, determination, and dedication.

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?

One thing about being a creative is that we think outside of the box and we are not afraid to get down in the dirt. We fight for what we know we can achieve despite not having the “proper education or training.” We are not afraid to do what most are. When it comes to my journey both as a singer/songwriter & entrepreneur, I know a lot of non-creatives probably wonder why a “normal life” (working a corporate 9-5 job) is not ideal for me, especially being a wife and mom.

I mean, let’s be honest, the pandemic shook us all up, and finances for most of us creatives have not been the same since.

But here’s the thing.

When you are given a dream, or an assignment if you will… It’s not meant to be understood by everyone.

Your path is meant to be traveled by you. Yes, we are Blessed to have people join us along the way. But not everyone is going to truly understand the vision or assignment. And that’s ok, we don’t focus on them. We focus on what we are supposed to be doing. Embrace those who do show love and support. and most importantly stay true to who we are.

Contact Info:

• Website: rise2glow.com
• Instagram: @rise2glow
• Twitter: @rise2glowup

Image Credits
shesnapzphotography, swag addict photography, Dillon Flowers, Tyler Watley