We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kierra H.. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kierra below.
Hi Kierra, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When I was younger, I felt isolated and misplaced as an individual growing up. I hid away and found peace with the art I would create or the photos that I captured. Art has been a major force in healing and finding myself. I realized that this is where so many others can relate. I knew I wanted to create a business that supported the personal need to express through art. I also believe that we can make the integration of art a daily priority to help choose relationships, career paths, and environments that are true to our nature and needs. Operating my own business has gifted me flexibility in the way I define success. Having my own business has given me the opportunity to be a part of many unique experiences as well as expand my authenticity and values. I believe it’s essential for each individual to use their time in this life to discover the things that bring their souls true joy and inspiration. CndidSoul Collective (CSC) is that resource to seek understanding in the relationship between the mind and body and celebrate the exploration of what makes us who we are through artistic expression.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
In every encounter and everything that I do, I want my soul to speak for itself. I never want to try too hard at being who I am. I have battled with the inconsistent and rapid state of change my entire life. Fortunately, I have found security in turning my focus inward using intuition and emotions to guide me. The pressure of stress and chaos I experience and feel motivates me to move. Failure is not fatal, It gives me insight on where things need to be realigned. Growing this business encourages me to confront areas where I can improve it. I struggle with how our system defines redemption and success, it has motivated me to advocate the value of my business. I feel it can be discouraging for Entrepreneurs to rely on their emotions in business interactions. I believe the use of Emotional intelligence plays a pivotal role in business and in everyday life and establishing CSC has given me the freedom to explore my need to understand the complexities of the feelings, desires, and needs in our world with no limitations. I consider myself an Aesthete. I am fascinated by the nature of Art. It feeds me, inspires me, and provides emotional and physical shelter. I use photography, videography, dancing, painting, and various acts of service, to create spaces that welcome and amplify the clients experience. I have decided that it is okay to be loud with my existence. To no longer apologize for the intensity of my love and the way it is expressed and to encourage others to do the same. I use CSC to have moments in which we no longer feel the pressure to conform to anything that is not in alignment with our souls. I want to challenge the way we limit ourselves and delay our potential. I want people to feel they are always in the presence of their true selves and honor their energy and give them a space to say “Love me in this direction” candidly.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I am currently, and oftentimes in a space in my life where I’m having to pivot and adapt. It’s been a challenge to find stability, between being a mother and Entrepreneur. I’m in a constant state of questioning of how to remain resilient, motivated and on the proper path of elevation for the two important roles in my life. I have dedicated the first part of my 20’s to being a mother. It put me in the position to reflect on my place in this world and who I wanted to be for myself, and my children. My daughter pushes me to continue to nurture my inner child. She gives me space to be gentle and compassionate. She also reminds me that I have power and can use it to give her the platform to live boldly. My son has Autism and is non-verbal. Every day, I learn his way of communicating and search to understand his emotions and perception of his world. The attention my children require makes it challenging to assess how much I can put into growing and maintaining a business. It can be a great comfort in times of stress or uncertainty, to stay safe in the roles I’ve taken, rather than shifting my focus onto individual and business needs. In all honesty, My children are also the biggest part of my inspiration for my business. Creating life helped me embody what it means to me to be an artist. I draw from the passion and determination I gained when I created my children. In business and life, women do not give themselves the true credit they deserve, we are always filtering our accomplishments and growth through incredibly high standards and feel we must tone down our power for the comfort of others. As a woman of color, I have watched the women who came before me, fight so hard to be acknowledged as a human being and a true force in the business world. Personally, I’m in a constant battle of addressing the limitations put on me by a system that deems me “unfit”. It is essential to remind ourselves that we have no one to keep up with, We all have our own flow to life, that is curated to our unique gifts and needs. It has been a dream come true to be a part of the new wave of fierce Entrepreneurs that excel in their excellence.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I have built myself, and my business by the way I obsess over my clients! CndidSoul Collective honors the rare beauty of human existence. I meet the majority of my clients naturally, living my everyday life and from the way I praise and present current works of art on my social media. Each encounter is more than a transaction to me, It’s unrestrained and collaborative. My approach is often met with skepticism. It can make people feel uncomfortable being around someone who doesn’t make them put their guard up. When I am working with someone, I never want them to feel alone, I want to build people up, I have always enjoyed praising people for what they admire about themselves. I see it as a big part of the way I stand out in the industry. I want my clients to feel they have value, to feel respected and desired. Because I believe that what I give, all comes back to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: Cndidsoulcollective.com
- Instagram: @cndidsoul
Image Credits
Gold Crown Photography CndidSoul Collective Nick Bergen, @Nick Bergen Photography