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

Kerlyn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I started my creative career back in late 2010. My platform of choice at the time was YouTube. Back then, I didn’t realize the potential that the platform possessed. I posted videos here and there. Over time, I picked up the frequency of my videos, and later I even started a ‘Thrift With Me’ series.

What I have learned over the years is that time is so critical as a creator. In other words, you have to put the time into your craft and then “do the time”. Over night success is possible, but rare. Most of the creatives and influencers that have large followings today, are people that posted and were committed back when I started. While I looked at my channel as more of a hobby, these creatives saw the future potential of the platform. They posted regularly and frequently.

So, to answer the question about my start, I not only wish I had started earlier but I wish I had shared my content with more vigor and urgency. When it comes to content creation, you have to play the long game, so to speak. You have to be excited about the possibilities even when you don’t see the numbers. I believe that the people who start early and stay committed are going to become the successful ones in the future, because time is an important element for creatives.

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

I am a child of God, a creative, an educator, a scholar, a wife and a mom. I wrote and recorded my first song around the age of 11 years old. I had successfully convinced my (late) father to take me to a recording session I had booked for myself. That recording session opened my eyes to the fact that I could do anything I put my mind to. I have graced the stage at the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival for a crowd of thousands, opening up for Pieces of the Dream and the Ohio Players as a singer/performer.

In addition to singing and blogging, I am also a published writer. My work has been featured in the S.O.U.L Mag, an urban lifestyle publication. Education has always been paramount to me from a very young age. Having two immigrant parents really helped me appreciate the value of a solid education. I am definitely a life-long learner. I currently hold a Master’s degree from the University of South Florida and an Ed.S. degree from Nova Southeastern University. Additionally, I am now a doctoral candidate at Johns Hopkins University. I am a professor at a state college and I homeschool my three children. When I am not catching up on Netflix shows with my husband or taking walking trips with my rainbow babies, I enjoy creating social media content, traveling, a good shopping trip, and trying new coffee shops.

With nearly 1 million views on YouTube, I enjoy sharing my life and my testimony through my videos, in the hopes that others will be inspired to live and be their truest selves. You can find me on my newest channel, LeMomLife, where I share lifestyle, luxury, motivation, and a little bit of motherhood weekly. You can also find me on IG at The Luxe Mind.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

SHARE, SHARE. SHARE!

It is so easy to share share a video that inspired you, made you think, or made you smile. Hit that share button on whatever platform you’re using. It’s always free, and may be the best thing you’ve ever done for your creative friends. What we often struggle with as creatives is exposure. Without a big budget or the right amount of shares it is very difficult for people to find us. So, hit that ‘SHARE’ button as much as you can. :)

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I have received countless messages from people who have been inspired my journey throughout the years. It’s so rewarding to be able to share parts of my life and connect with people from all over the world. Sharing my life has served as a bridge to touch other people all over the globe. It’s one of the most rewarding feelings ever.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.ker-leen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkerleen/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KerleenMusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/lemomlife1

Image Credits
Kerlyn Joseph