We recently connected with Kenya Hughes and have shared our conversation below.

Kenya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

I have many heroes in my life but my parents are my biggest hero. They worked hard to provide a life for my brother and I that we are proud of. We never went without as children. I know my parents sacrificed a lot for that. There is no perfect family but they were perfect for us.

I also love meeting people and people touch me in different ways, but one of the most influential people in my professional development was my former mentor and boss Lodema Adams. She gave me my first professional job as a receptionist at her electrical company when I was 19. I was the worst receptionist. I was NEVER at my desk. I would always leave my desk when it was not busy and socialize with my co-workers. She loved me so she kept me. When my best friend graduated from college and could not find a job Lodema hired her also. A few months after she was hired I remember Lodema pulling her into her office one day and asking her why she was working there. She said you have a degree in biology please get a job where you can use your degree. She had no filter and just told it like it was.

Eventually, she had the same conversation with me and told me it was time to spread my wings. Over the years she would pour into me, and when I needed advice on a career move she would always be there.

Lodema was also a mentor for a gift basket “business” that my best friend and I started which you will read about later. I remember taking our prototypes to her house to get her feedback. We thought our basket looked great. She told us it was terrible and then proceeded to give us “advice” on how they could look better. I will never forget that conversation.

When I complete a project I look at it with Lodema “eyes”. I am always striving for perfection. When someone tells me something looks good or an event turned out well I always look for what I could have done better. It is because of her.

She passed away from cancer and I miss her so much but I strive to be the businesswoman that she was one day.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am very fortunate to work in a space that allows me to utilize my skillset in my full-time career and as an entrepreneur.
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. My mom drove me around selling newspaper ads for the school paper in high school. I started a gift basket “business” with my best friend one year for Easter. We thought we would get 10-15 orders but ended up with over 40 orders with less than two weeks for completion.

Now I get to do something that I love. That is connecting with people on a personal level who have a philanthropic heart and want to give and serve. I also plan events for private clients and the organization I work for.

If you hire me for your event I can do anything from balloon decor, to full event setup, but I thrive in managing events. I like for clients to know they do not need to feel stressed about their event because they know I have it under control. I was recently working with a client and we were completely set up ahead of schedule which hardly ever happens in event planning. I told her that I would be right back. She had a look of panic on her face. I said, “What’s wrong”? She responded, “I don’t know what I will do if you don’t come back.” I am still not sure why she thought I would not be back but I assured her that I would be back.

Clients can trust me to get the job done and if I am not able to do something or don’t have that skillset I have no problem telling them that I can’t. I don’t mind offering referrals. What is for me is me. I love the saying “collaboration over competition”.

Any advice for managing a team?

Throughout my previous career, I managed teams from 5 people to 60 people. Managing a team requires you to be relatable. You have to be able to connect in business but on a personal level as well. It is plain and simple people perform for people that they like. Have a listening ear. It does not mean that they will be right, often people just want to be heard. Learn people’s likes and dislikes. What motivates them? It will go a long way. Contrary to belief some people are not always motivated by money they want to feel seen and heard.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I worked in retail leadership for 26 years, but I have always loved creating. Friends would often reach out to me to help them with decorating for their events, or someone would tell me about an event they were having because I couldn’t help myself I would start making so many suggestions; that they would hire me for their event.

In January 2022, I decided to stop complaining about my job, the hours, and the lack of time I was able to spend with my family and friends. Every day before I would go to work I prayed and asked God to give me a job that would allow me to have a work-life balance, allow me to socialize, plan parties, and hang out with my family and friends. I was very specific. I remember someone telling me “Good luck with that. I don’t know how you will get paid to do that.”

In October 2022 my now Executive Director called me one day while I was sitting at my desk and asked me if I would be interested in joining the organization as the Events Manager for a non-profit organization called Heart for Africa. Earlier in the year I did a couple of events for him. I had to pause for a second and look at the phone. It’s not that I didn’t believe in prayer or manifestation, but I prayed that prayer every day not sure how long I would have to be praying that specific prayer. My prayers were answered.

This is my story of resilience because I was not able to have children. My husband and I have had 5 miscarriages and a failed adoption. At one point in my life, I went into a deep depression because of this. Depression is real and sometimes you don’t even know you are in it. It was hard, but I pushed through. I know that we all go through situations and circumstances in life, but what could have torn me and my husband apart brought us closer together.

I am now fortunate to do purpose-driven work and still do event planning for my clients. This year I was given a new role as the Community Relations and Khutsala Manager. I get to invite people into our story and seek support for our 423 formerly orphaned children, and 120 Khutsala Artisans who live in Eswatini, Africa. I love what I do. There was always a bigger plan.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koffeewithkenya/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kenya.hughes.7/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenya-hughes-4516a252/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/kenyacreateslifestyle/

  I will be updating all of these pages within the next two weeks to have more relevant content.

Image Credits

Headshots of me https://www.instagram.com/rhaynacphotography/
Photo with Children https://www.instagram.com/saradharper/
Photo of me with Husband Jerome Howard
Photo of Burgundy Flowers https://www.instagram.com/chuckyfoto/