We recently connected with NaKedra Rodgers and have shared our conversation below.

NaKedra, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

It was right after the pandemic that I started thinking about my next chapter. I realized that I needed something to fall back on in the event that the economy declined at any point. I didn’t want my fate in the hands of my employer.

I often read social media and noticed that people were starting their own business. Some were party planners, sweet treat makers, in home fine dining and mobile spas services. Well, I didn’t do anything of those things; however, my purpose would soon be revealed.

I began to ask my friends what type of business I should start and everyone said it should center around encouraging others. I didn’t quite see how that would work, but I finally decided to sit in front of my camera phone and post inspirational videos.

I wasn’t that great in the beginning, but I stuck with it. My following gradually began to grow. Sometimes I would be late posting and people would reach out to me asking if everything was ok because they were waiting on the daily word. It was then that I realized that my videos were truly helping people and I knew then that I couldn’t stop.

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

When I started posting inspirational videos, I had no formal training as a speaker or content creator. I decided not to focus on what I didn’t have, but instead on what I did well: I knew Jesus and how to uplift others.

I wanted to do some outreach, so I decided to go out and feed the homeless. It was there that I saw a group of women dressed alot from head to toe. What that said to me was I needed to make my business official by getting a LLC.

Once I did that, I needed a way to expand my brand. I chose to create an apparel line that included affirmation t-shirts and later I added my 30 day devotional and custom accessories. I believe that if people cover themselves in the word, they will believe they are that word and begin to walk in authority.

My business is the only one that combines my daily inspirational videos and OptimisticallyKe product line to give women hope and encouragement. I’m set apart from other businesses because I live my life out loud showing the good, bad and the ugly. My transformation journey is on frontstreet for everyone to witness.

I constantly remind women that they’re strong, beautiful, intelligent, brave, capable of doing the job, powerful and ro remain steadfast. Trials and tribulations come but they can’t quit.

I’m proud of the fact that I just hosted the 2nd Annual Transformation Ready Set Glow Conference and women’s minds were unlocked about just how awesome they truly are and that with God all things are possible.

I am also proud that my new children’s book Optimistically Mommy and Me is a best seller. It is about confidence, kindness, inclusiveness, resilience and saying no to bullying and is for young readers ages 4-9 years old.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I first started selling affirmation t-shirts, I had to work with multiple vendors. The first vendor started ghosting me after the 3rd order. She would tell me that my order would be ready one day only to come back and say that she was no longer available at the designated meeting time.

With the 2nd tshirt vendor, the words on my shirts peeled off. My name and brand were on the line. I had to fix every other without pay because it was on me and not the customer’s fault.

Both of these situations taught me lessons and the biggest one was keep going. Opposition comes and often times catches you off guard but if you give up, you will never reach the finish line or accomplish set goals.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Initially I funded my business by taking funds from my personal savings account and investing it in my business. No one asked me about tshirts. I just knew that I needed to get my name out there and I couldn’t show up in the community empty handed.

I started selling tshirts on social media and after the 3rd or 4th purchase of 50 shirts at once, I knew it was time to register for vendor events across the DFW metroplex. My first vendor event was for a high school fashion show being held at my church. I sold 19 tshirts.

Today I’ve sold almost 3,000 tshirts by registering as a vendor, doing book signings or hosting my annual conference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.nakedrarodgers.com
• Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/optimisticallyke
• Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/optimisticallyke
• Linkedin: https://Www.linkedin.com/nakedrarodgers

Image Credits

Kali Rhe