We recently connected with Kesha R. Whitaker and have shared our conversation below.

Kesha, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

If I were starting my business today based on what I know now, I would price my services based on my expertise (instead of my years in business at the time), invest in software, delegate more and create multiple streams of passive income to help ride out lean times.

I had some uncertainty when it came to pricing because while wasn’t new to the services I was offering, I was new to having my own business. I thought I had to prove myself, which meant undervaluing my work. Someone once told me, “If you charge bargain basement, people will treat you bargain basement.” From that day forward, I changed my outlook and pricing to reflect the true value I was providing my clients.

When you’re starting out, delegation is also important because it is difficult to be the only one securing new contracts, doing client work, billing and bookkeeping. I highly recommend finding ways to automate administrative tasks and having someone to handle bookeeping/accounting.

Lastly, think about ways to generate passive income should there be an economic downturn, a global pandemic or natural disaster. No matter what your industry is, your knowledge and expertise are valuable commodities that become e-books, trainings, and coaching services.

Overall, I believe I did a lot things right starting out because I worked hard to keep my overhead expenses low while continuing to experience growth. Despite the effects that the pandemic and lockdown had on my business, I found there were ways pivot and capitalize from what was happening. In business, you have to be agile and solution-oriented to weather the storms of life.

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

I am many things, a daughter, sister, aunt, business owner, public relations expert, motivational speaker and podcaster….but most of all, I’m just Kesha, a girl from Memphis. From my early days as a student at the University of Memphis, where I sharpened my skills as a writer and editor, to my experiences in PR with esteemed organizations like the U.S. Olympic Committee and the New Jersey Legislature, I’ve always sought the road less traveled and ways to ensure that my love of writing would always be a part of my professional career.

Life threw me a curveball with a near-fatal car accident that ended my athletic career. But from adversity comes resilience, and I channeled that resilience into a diverse career spanning various industries, from collegiate athletics to government, non-profit and corporate. In 2009, I took a leap of faith and founded K. Whitaker Public Relations, a strategic communications consultancy dedicated to serving nonprofits and emerging businesses. Some of our clients include the American Heart Association, United Way of the Mid-South, Servicemaster, and Ampro Industries.

At K. Whitaker Public Relations, we’re partners in our clients’ success, offering a full suite of services including strategic communications planning, media relations, community engagement, and podcast development. Our mission is simple yet profound: to help our clients achieve long-term success by leveraging the power of public relations and communications to drive their business goals forward.

What sets us apart at K. Whitaker Public Relations is not just our expertise or our track record of success, but our unwavering commitment to integrity, intention, and inclusion. We believe in the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and drive meaningful change – and we’re passionate about helping our clients do just that.

Whether you’re a nonprofit striving to make a difference or an emerging business looking to make your mark, we’re here to help navigate the challenges, seize the opportunities, and soar to new heights.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe several key things have helped me establish myself in my field. Building genuine relationships has been the one of them. When I seek out relationships with anyone, it’s never about “what someone can do for me.” It truly is about the person. Establishing trust and showing myself as a reliable resource has proven to be my superpower. I sincerely want to know a person. It’s important to me to treat everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their title.

I always strive to deliver top-notch work and exceed my clients’ expectations. By being dependable, truthful, and respectful, I’ve earned the trust of those I work with.

My experience in various fields, such as sports and government, has equipped me with a wide range of skills and knowledge, which believe it or not have intersected at times. This diversity allows me to offer innovative solutions to my clients’ needs.

I have a strong passion for storytelling. I believe in the power of narrative to connect with people on a deeper level. By crafting compelling stories, I aim to engage and inspire others.

Lastly, I’m committed to continuous learning and growth. Whether it’s mastering new techniques or seeking feedback to improve, I’m always striving to enhance my skills and stay ahead of the curve.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

There comes a time in life when you have to make tough decisions and sacrifices. Once such time was in 2012 when I had to go back into the job market after being in business full-time for three years. Although I was doubling and tripling my revenue year over year, all I could see was that I wasn’t hitting my revenue goal. I felt defeated and didn’t have anyone to really help me identify the blind spots.

It got the to the point where I was fed up. I remember standing in the mirror and asking myself, “Are you doing everything you can to make your business successful?” I stood there for five minutes searching myself. I finally looked into my eyes filled with tears and said, “no.” Then I asked, “Are you willing to do what it takes?” Feeling dejected, my answer was, “no.”

It was such a raw and honest moment for me. But I did what I had to do. I got back into the job market for six years, learned, grew and made even more connections. When I relaunched in 2019, it only took me two months to earn $20,000, the total amount I made during my third year in business.

I wish I had not given up on myself so soon, but I look back on those years as great learning experience. Everything that happened thereafter is the journey I needed to teach me to always be honest with myself no matter how much it may hurt and served as a reminder to trust my instincts.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kwhitakerpr.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kwhitakerpr
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/kwhitakerpr
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kwhitakerpr
• Other: www.soarlifecast.com

Image Credits
Dana James Mwangi