Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Kimberly W. Pruitt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dr. Kimberly W., looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I get my work ethic from my parents, who both demonstrated the value of hard work and dedication throughout my childhood. My dad was a welder, and I watched him work long shifts to provide for our family. He never complained and always showed up with a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to his job. My mom was a nurse who worked the evening shift. This meant she was often not home in the evenings, I had to take on responsibilities at a young age, ensuring I kept up with my studies and helped around the house. Their example taught me the importance of perseverance, responsibility, and balancing multiple roles.
I started working at 16 years old, which further instilled a strong work ethic in me. Balancing school and work was challenging, but it taught me time management, discipline, and the value of earning my way. These experiences shaped my approach to life and work, pushing me to pursue a college degree while working and eventually starting my career as an educator. Beyond my career in education, I continued to pursue personal and professional growth. I earned my real estate license, which was another example of my commitment to expanding my skills and taking on new challenges. Most recently, I opened an online boutique, combining my passion for business with my drive to create something of my own. These endeavors required dedication, resilience, and a strong work ethic, all of which were instilled in me from a young age. As a wife and working mother, being dedicated is important because it sets an example for my children about the importance of hard work and resilience. It also helps me manage the multiple demands of work and family life effectively. I believe that a strong work ethic is crucial in achieving personal and professional goals, and it allows me to be a role model for my children, showing them that dedication and perseverance can lead to success and fulfillment.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Expo of Style, founded by Kimberly W. Pruitt, is a vibrant online boutique that celebrates the art of fashion with bold colors, striking prints, and dynamic textures. Kimberly, a connoisseur of style, infuses her work with a spirit of fun and creativity, encouraging women to embrace their individuality and make memorable fashion statements. What began as a captivating Instagram influencer page quickly evolved into a thriving eCommerce platform. Kimberly’s distinctive approach—marked by fearless use of color and commitment to inspiring confidence—resonated with a diverse audience. This passion for fashion and dedication to empowering women led to the creation of Expo of Style, an online boutique offering a curated selection of apparel designed to make every woman look and feel exceptional. Today, Expo of Style stands as a testament to my vision and belief in the transformative power of fashion. With its eclectic and elegant offerings, the boutique continues to inspire women to express their unique style and embrace the joy of dressing well.
After several years in education and moving close to retirement, Launching the boutique was an exciting venture that allowed me to combine my creativity with my business acumen. It was a chance to build something of my own and bring a different aspect of my personality to life. However, managing a business while working full-time as an educator required significant adjustments. I had to learn how to balance my time effectively, juggling lesson planning, teaching, grading, and running a business. This experience has taught me the importance of prioritization and efficiency. I often worked late into the night or early in the morning to keep up with the demands of both roles. It requires a lot of dedication and time management skills, but it is incredibly rewarding to see my boutique grow while still maintaining my commitment to my everyday job. Being a working mother and wife with multiple responsibilities has made me even more aware of the importance of a strong work ethic. It sets a powerful example for my children, showing them that with determination and hard work, you can pursue multiple passions and succeed in different areas of life. It’s a daily challenge, but one that I embrace fully because it aligns with the values of hard work, perseverance, and resilience that my parents instilled in me.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my journey, I believe the three qualities that have been most impactful for me are perseverance, time management, and adaptability. Throughout my life, from watching my parents work tirelessly to pursuing my own education and career, perseverance has been a key quality. It’s about pushing through challenges and staying committed to your goals, even when things get tough. In my experience, whether it was balancing work and school at 16, earning my real estate license, or managing a full-time career while running an online boutique, perseverance has been crucial. My advice to those early in their journey is to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Remember that setbacks are a part of the process, and the key is to keep moving forward, learning, and improving.
Juggling multiple roles, especially as a working mother, requires excellent time management skills. Balancing my responsibilities as an educator, business owner, and parent meant I had to prioritize my tasks and make the most of every minute. For those starting out, I recommend learning to manage your time effectively. This might mean setting clear goals, creating a schedule that works for you, and learning to say no when necessary. Being organized and disciplined with your time can make a big difference in achieving your personal and professional goals.
The ability to adapt has been essential in my journey. My current role as an administrator in public education and starting my own online boutique required me to step out of my comfort zone and learn new skills. It also meant adjusting my daily routine and finding ways to balance different responsibilities. My advice for those early in their journey is to be open to change and willing to learn. The world is constantly evolving, and being adaptable allows you to navigate new challenges and seize new opportunities. Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to pivot when necessary. For anyone early in their journey, I encourage you to focus on developing these qualities. Building perseverance, honoring your time management skills, and staying adaptable will help you navigate the ups and downs of your path and ultimately lead to a fulfilling and successful career. In doing all of these things, I have trusted God in giving me the ability to be a great wife, mother, daughter, friend and colleague. In all you do always cherish time with your family and loved ones.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
One of the most profound impacts my parents had on my life was their unwavering support during a challenging period. At 21, I became a mother, to my beautiful daughter Kiyah. After finishing college and starting my career, balancing the demands of an emerging career and pursuing my doctorate degree was not easy. After having my son K.J., I was continuing to thrive as an school administrator. During this time, I missed countless hours from my children, however, I could always count on my parents. Amidst the pressures of professional life and a difficult divorce, my parents remained a steadfast source of strength. Their unwavering commitment to helping with my children and providing emotional and practical support was instrumental in my journey, allowing me to persevere and achieve my goals. Their constant encouragement and assistance were truly transformative, shaping the person I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopexpoofstyle.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/expo.ofstyle?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExpoOfStyle?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Images Amaya Dixon
Instagram- @shotsbyamaya
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