Meet Dawn Kennedy

We recently connected with Dawn Kennedy and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dawn, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

I’ve always been a natural risk taker. In my younger years I always chose to jump without a safety net. I believe this ability came from my mom. No matter the “new” thing I wanted to do she was always on board and my biggest supporter, which is a blessing.
As an adult, how you take risks change. There is a new fear that is unlocked. I noticed this new fear when I became a mom. The fear is “what will happen to my child when I jump without a safety net”, “will they survive this jump”, “will they still love me”. Stay true to myself was still very important so I was gonna take risk and jump, but I made sure that these risks were more calculated. I chose not to jump from the highest mountain anymore. I jumped from hills. I thought about the outcome and how much of an impact they would have on my child’s life.
With every choice you make there are some risks you have to choose your risks. All risk are hard,choose your hard.
I’m still a serial risk taker, but it’s more calculated.
If you’re my friend or you’re around me long enough, I’m gonna encourage you to become a risk taker!

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am the owner of SewSlick, LLC that caters to women, youths, and senior by providing sewing lessons and retreats. I have a studio located in Linthicum, Maryland, where sewing lessons are provided. I also have a partnership with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks that provide sewing lessons at several recreation centers within Baltimore City.
The goal of SewSlick, LLC is to change the way people think of sewing. We empower you to immerse yourself into the sewing process from start to finish.

We aim to inspire confidence, creativity, and resilience by using sewing to enhance emotional intelligence, promote interest in STEM, foster creative expression, and encourage entrepreneurship through comprehensive sewing lessons, engaging classes, and immersive retreats within a nurturing environment

SewSlick, LLC also provides customized and personalized embroidered products for local community partners, small businesses and universities

The studio is also available for rent. Comfortably fits 50 people. Has a large parking lot and is close to 295, 695, and 95.

Starting in 2025 SewSlick will offer the following programs at the studio…
12 week Project Runway course for youth
Golden Threads program for age 55+
The Hem program for adults to use sewing as a mindful self-care practice

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?

Optimism, humility, confidence

As an entrepreneur, it’s very important that you have these three qualities. Because your journey will have lots of dips and lags which will cause you to want to quit. If you stay focused on the positive, throw your ego in your back pocket, and keep your confidence in who you are and what you offer you won’t fail. You may fall, but you get back up and keep going. Remember your goal. Also remember that F.A.I.L. does not mean you’re a failure. It means first attempt in learning.

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?

Being supportive. Allowing me to chase my dreams, goals, and aspirations. Allowing me to be creative.

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