We recently connected with Kendra Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Kendra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
My circle is incredibly close-knit. I would say the kindest thing they have ever done for me was simply show up for me. They constantly reaffirmed my greatness, the things I had accomplished, and most importantly, the impact I had on them and other people in addition to them. There were times when I would doubt myself and feel like I wasn’t working hard enough, doing enough, etc., but they would always remind me of how great I was. They never fail to reassure me that they care about me and are there for me. I find it significant because not everyone has access to that safety net. It feels fantastic to be surrounded by sincere individuals who only want the best for you.
I would say the kindest thing they have ever done for me was simply show up for me. There were times when I would doubt myself, feel like I’m not doing enough, working hard enough, etc., but they always remind me of how great I am, the things that I have accomplished, and most importantly, the impact I’ve made not only on them but on others as well. They always remind me that I am loved and supported by them and it’s everlasting. It’s meaningful to me because everybody doesn’t have that safety net. It feels good to have genuine people around you that want nothing but the best for you.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a multifaceted and high-performing social entrepreneur, philanthropist, and technologist. My entrepreneurial journey started in 2017 when I started freelance designing for new business owners who needed visual identity design services. Over the years, I’ve been constantly perfecting my craft with graphic and web design and Front-End Development, programming, and software engineering. I took a 5-year hiatus from graphic design and focused on my 9-5 career in the IT industry. Tech is something I accidentally fell into, lol. I accepted my first role as a Technical Support Advisor working from home a few years ago and it has been history since then. I upskilled and learned about cybersecurity, data science, customer success, business analysis & process improvement, and even earned a few Six Sigma certifications.
Fast forward to now in 2023, I currently work as an IT Systems Engineer at a startup company as well as run my own corporation. I am in the works of relaunching my design agency, Blank Space Branding Studio, a multidisciplinary design firm specializing in visual identity design, web development, and UX/UI design. I am curating this agency for the driven, determined, and dedicated entrepreneur.
What sets me apart is prioritizing my clients, providing top-tier client service, and working closely with them to develop tailored solutions that address their specific needs. I place a strong emphasis on building long-term relationships with clients and believe that open communication, transparency, and trust are essential to building strong partnerships. I work hard to foster these values in all of my interactions.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
As a social entrepreneur, I find the most rewarding aspect of my work to be the opportunity to create something meaningful and make a positive impact on the world. Starting a business allowed me to take my hobby and turn it into a reality. It’s an incredibly fulfilling experience to see something I’ve created grow and thrive, and to know that I am making a difference in the lives of my customers, employees, and community.
Another rewarding aspect of being an entrepreneur is the freedom and flexibility it provides. I have the ability to set my own schedule, work on projects that I am passionate about, and make decisions that align with my values and goals. I am able to pursue my dreams and build a business that reflects my vision for the future. Being at the forefront of my businesses allows me to constantly learn and grow. Starting a business requires continuous learning and adaptation, and I am constantly challenged to improve my skills, expand my knowledge, and think creatively. This keeps me engaged and motivated and allows me to stay at the forefront of my industry.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest (and hardest) lessons I had to unlearn was that I can’t do everything on my own. The idea of me outsourcing and seeking additional help was a no-go for me in my early years of entrepreneurship. This mindset ultimately led to burnout and left me feeling unfulfilled in all areas of my life.
I didn’t know what comfort and ease were when it came to business because I was stuck on refusing to outsource and invest in other professionals to help scale my business, and I sure didn’t know a thing about automation! I had the mindset of “No one can run my business as I can. No one sees the vision but me. I’m the only one that can make this happen.” A few years later, I had less time to dedicate to my business once I got a 9 to 5, I realized that I needed help. There was no way possible that I could maintain a scaling business all on my own. Another realization I had is that we all need each other in some way, whether you’re an entrepreneur, fast-food worker, call center rep, retail worker, etc. Everyone is connected in some way, shape, or form. I always think about what if the owners/CEOs, etc. had the mindset I had. Can McDonald’s run itself? Can Target run itself? If I call my bank when I’m having an issue and there’s no one to solve it, then what? Just imagine what that would be like with no customer service professionals, no managers, no cashiers, no nothing. I’d say this was the most valuable lesson I’ve learned as an entrepreneur.