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

Alright, Kimberly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

At 33 years old, I climbed in my 2006 Maxima, with every possession that I could stuff inside, and made my way down I-35 South. As I traveled away from my childhood home of Oklahoma City, I was ready and determined to receive the Fresh Start that Dallas promised. I had no job, a tiny savings, and would be temporarily sharing an apartment with two other friends just as desperate as I was for change.

Prior to this trek south, I had graduated Summa Cum Laude from Langston University. I was married, with two beautiful children and living what I thought at the time was the dream. However, my dream slowly devolved into a nightmare when Divorce, Bankruptcy, and other unforeseen perils reared their ugly heads.

After several failed attempts of starting over with grad school programs that didn’t capture my full interest, I decided a change of scenery would be the best way to turn this mess around.

Within my first week, I found a promising job in Private Equity; a stark contrast to my background in Higher Education.
Located right in the middle of Downtown Dallas, this would be the exciting, and hopefully profitable, change my story needed.

It was Hell.

Stuck Traffic for hours each way, a boss that told me I wasn’t worth anything, false promises of raises/promotions, had me crying in parking garage daily. Should I just go back home? I’m sure my family would be glad to have me, but then again, what was I going home to exactly?

As luck would have it, the Private Equity firm was shut down on some Wolf of Wall Street foolishness. Although, I was once again jobless, I did smirk at them getting their penance for my unfair treatment.

Thankfully, at the advice of a close friend, I had started a side hustle of working with small business owners to develop their digital marketing strategies. This side hustle not only gave me a tiny cushion, it served as a pathway to my entrepreneurial journey. As I navigated an unsure future, debating on whether to return home, I decided to lean fully into my calling to help others and formally established Kimmie Ink Digital Marketing in 2018.

Although there were ups and downs, the rewards of working for myself proved to be worth it. I was able to work with many amazing business owners all from the comfort of my home or the occasional coffee shop. I doubled my income and was able to take my kids on beach vacations.

My self-confidence had returned and my desire to dream big rewarded. It was this risk that encouraged me to launch into my most recent venture, wellness Brand, Brown Girls Meditate. Brown Girls Meditate is a safe space for Womxn of Color to come home to themselves by prioritizing wellness through compassionate self-discovery and mindfulness practices. Brown Girls Meditate offers journals, workshops, in-person & virtual retreats, guided meditations and more!

As I look back on the girl who made that 3 hour drive south, not knowing what obstacles lay ahead, I smile, proud that she chose to bet on herself, despite the odds, and that she continues to do so today.

Kimberly, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I think I covered this in the previous question (didn’t realize that there were going to be more LOL!)

Under Kimmie Ink, I offer Digital Marketing Strategy & Consultations. As I turn to focus more on my wellness brand Brown Girls Meditate, I am excited to offer meditation tool & resources including journals, workshops/retreats, guided meditations, podcasts, and more!

We recently completed a 21 Day Meditation Challenge in our Brown Girls Meditate Facebook Group and I was so excited to witness the transformation experienced by Black Women who had never practiced meditation before. The testimonials brought tears to my eyes and let me know that this was definitely the healing space that I was called to serve.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I am currently in the midst of a pivot. As, I battled with the idea of closing Kimmie Ink it was challenging. This brand is what I’ve been known for and I struggled with the idea of letting it go although my passion had fled. It is even as I type, that I remind myself that God is with the Risk Taker and as a woman of faith, I must move into the direction that I am now being called with Brown Girls Meditate.

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

Authenticity. For both brands, I made a decision that I would show up as my most authentic self to attract my dream clientele. You either like the bubbly girl or you don’t, but I always sleep well knowing that the content I produce or the way I present myself is consistent with my character off of social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.browngirlsmeditate.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/browngirlsmeditate/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrownGirlsMeditate/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/browngirlsmeditate/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAKkkuCmp9oeAE-ItpPimVw
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@browngirlsmeditate