We recently had the chance to connect with Cara Johnson-Graves and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cara, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’ve come to realize that my journey is both. I am walking a path toward a clear vision: building a future where children grow up surrounded by confidence, representation, and joy. But I am also wandering—with purpose. The wandering is where I allow myself to pause, explore, and imagine what might be possible if I colored outside the lines of expectation.
When I wander, I’m not lost—I’m intentional. Sometimes that means reimagining something as simple as a backpack. Instead of just being a school accessory, I ask myself: What if it became a tool of confidence? A daily reminder to a child that they belong, that their story matters? Other times it looks like building bridges between creativity and community, whether that’s partnering with corporate teams to gift EPIC Everyday products to kids who need them most, or brainstorming a character licensing deal that brings our diverse characters to life on screens, in classrooms, or even in digital learning platforms.
What’s interesting about my thought process is that I’ve never been able to separate business from impact—for me, they’re one and the same. Every decision I make is guided by two simple but powerful questions: Does this inspire a child to feel seen? and Does this create meaningful, lasting connections in our community? If the answer is yes, it belongs on the path. If the answer isn’t clear, that’s where the wandering comes in—I stay curious, experiment, and keep searching until I find a way to make it meaningful.
What I’ve learned is that leadership isn’t about always knowing the exact steps—it’s about knowing your why. My why is rooted in legacy, love, and representation. I’m building a family-owned, women-led brand that proves to children that success doesn’t happen in a straight line. It looks more like a winding road, sometimes even a rollercoaster—full of detours, brisk turns, and unexpected roadblocks. But those challenges aren’t failures—they’re part of the blueprint, shaping not just where we go, but how boldly we get there.
And if I’m honest, that’s the balance I want to model for the next generation: to walk with clarity of purpose, but to wander with imagination and courage. Because sometimes the most meaningful impact doesn’t come from following the map—it comes from daring to explore the paths no one else has taken yet.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
EPIC Everyday is a purpose-driven kids’ lifestyle and licensed character brand created to make children feel seen, celebrated, valued, and visible. Our brand was born from a truth too many families know well—less than 2% of children’s products in stores or online positively reflect diverse kids. We set out to change that by building a company where representation, confidence, and joy are woven into every product and story.
From backpacks, apparel, and home goods to the original EPIC Everyday Kids characters, everything we create is designed to empower children to be Empowered, Positive, Innovative, and Creative (EPIC). Parents share that when their kids see themselves in our designs, it’s more than just a product—it’s a moment of belonging and pride.
What makes us unique is both our journey and our impact. We started with just $10,000 and grew through grassroots, community-driven support. Today, we’ve gifted more than $150,000 worth of products, inspired over 7,000 youth, and partnered with organizations like Amazon Web Services and the Washington Commanders to reach even more children. Our features on platforms like Amazon, Roland Martin Unfiltered, Vogue, and The Kelly Clarkson Show highlight how a small brand can spark a big cultural shift.
Looking ahead, EPIC Everyday is focused on the future of kids’ brands: digital innovation, character licensing, niche retail growth, and new corporate contracting and impact initiatives. These opportunities position us not just as a brand, but as a cultural movement shaping how kids see themselves in the world.
Our story is about more than fashion or accessories—it’s about rewriting what kids grow up believing is possible for them. And that’s why our guiding belief will always be: Never ordinary, always EPIC!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Sometimes it only takes one voice to change the way you see yourself—and for me, that voice belonged to my drama teacher, Frances Haas, at The School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the time, I was just a skinny kid with a nasally voice and bright eyes, searching for where I fit in. She looked at me and saw potential I couldn’t yet recognize in myself. In a world where creative arts education, representation, and childhood confidence often go undervalued, Ms. Haas became that rare mentor who insisted I step into possibility.
Her mix of wacky humor, razor-sharp wit, and relentless encouragement created the perfect environment for growth. She pushed me into auditions I never thought I could handle, preparing me for parts that terrified me, while empowering me with the belief that I could rise to the occasion. Because of her, I performed in operas, joined the mime troupe, landed lead roles, and even recorded voiceovers and commercials at an age when most kids were just trying to figure out who they were. Each opportunity became a mirror, reflecting back a stronger, more confident version of myself.
What made her impact unforgettable wasn’t just the doors she opened—it was the way she poured unconditional belief into me. She taught me that sometimes the most important thing a teacher gives isn’t in the lesson plan, but in their ability to see beyond the surface and call out the brilliance hiding underneath. That kind of belief shapes more than talent—it shapes identity, resilience, and courage.
To this day, I carry Ms. Haas’s influence with me in everything I do. She showed me that success doesn’t begin with perfection—it begins with someone who believes in you enough to push you past your comfort zone. That lesson has stayed with me as both a creative and an entrepreneur. It’s why, with EPIC Everyday, I build products, characters, and stories that remind children they are seen, celebrated, and capable of so much more than the world may expect.
Looking back, I realize that Ms. Haas taught me the same lesson I hope every child connected to EPIC Everyday learns: it only takes one person who truly sees you to change the entire trajectory of your journey.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: Resilience is your superpower.
In high school, I was part of a demanding college-prep program where I thrived academically and athletically. On paper, I was the kind of student expected to pursue an Ivy League track. And my counselor made that clear—discouraging me from my dream of attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). But something in me knew that an HBCU was where I was meant to be. It wasn’t just about education—it was about culture, belonging, and legacy. Standing my ground against that discouragement became one of the most defining moments of my life.
Even when health challenges arose, I refused to let them derail me. I pushed forward, earning my degree from Morgan State University, and graduating valedictorian with high honors before continuing on to graduate school in Virginia. Every “no,” every doubt, every setback became fuel to create my own “yes.” I began to understand that resilience wasn’t just about getting through tough seasons—it was about rising stronger with each obstacle.
Life, of course, had even deeper lessons in store. My father passed away from cancer before I completed my master’s degree. That grief could have broken me—but instead, it became a catalyst. My first job was in STEM at the largest cancer center in Washington, D.C., where I honored my father’s memory by serving patients and families with dignity, compassion, and care. It was in that season that I fully embraced what I now know to be true: my story has always been about transforming struggle into strength.
Looking back, I understand resilience is more than survival. It’s the courage to keep moving, even when the road is filled with detours, potholes, and heartbreak. It’s adapting when the plan changes, creating light in the middle of darkness, and believing that the pain you feel today can serve as fuel for purpose tomorrow. Winston Churchill said it best: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.”
That lesson—the power of resilience—is also the foundation of EPIC Everyday, the kids’ lifestyle and licensed character brand I co-lead today. Just as I once needed someone to remind me of my worth, children today need products, characters, and stories that remind them daily that they are Empowered, Positive, Innovative, and Creative (EPIC). My journey taught me to tune out the naysayers, to keep moving onward and upward, and to trust that every obstacle was shaping me into who I was destined to become.
So to my younger self, and to every child walking their own winding path, I would say this: Resilience is your superpower. Trust your vision, believe in your brilliance, and never forget that the very obstacles in your way are shaping the legacy you’re meant to leave behind.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
For a long time, I believed that success was like a rocket—all about hard work, one powerful launch, and a straight-line trajectory that carried you ever upward. That belief made sense when I was younger—it matched the way success is often portrayed: climb fast, go higher, stay there. But over time, I learned that view was far too simplistic—and honestly, a little naive.
The reality is, success is not linear. It’s much more like a rollercoaster.
At first, it starts slow. You prepare, you build momentum, and you feel the anticipation of what’s ahead. Then come the exhilarating highs—those moments of clarity, breakthrough, and celebration when the view from the top feels worth every ounce of effort. But just as quickly, the lows arrive—unexpected drops that leave you breathless and force you to grip the rails tighter than you imagined. And in between are the brisk turns, sharp corners, and sudden pivots—reminders that control is never absolute, and that the ride requires more than just stamina. It requires resilience, adaptability, and courage.
What I’ve learned is that the power isn’t in trying to avoid the twists and turns, but in embracing them. Strategy sets your direction, but agility and risk analysis keep you on track when life throws you into a curve. The real test of leadership isn’t how high you can climb—it’s how well you adapt, recover, and keep moving when the lows come suddenly and the sharp turns demand quick decisions.
This shift in perspective changed everything about how I lead. It’s why EPIC Everyday, our family-owned, women-led kids’ lifestyle and licensed character brand, is rooted not just in creativity and representation, but also in resilience. Because we know children will face rollercoasters of their own—victories that lift them up, challenges that drop them suddenly, and pivots that test their balance. Our mission is to build a legacy brand that empowers them to not only survive the ride, but to find joy, strength, and confidence in it.
What I once thought was about speed and trajectory, I now see as a lifelong journey of endurance, agility, and legacy-building. Success isn’t about reaching the top and staying there—it’s about strapping in, holding on, and realizing that every high, every low, and every sharp turn is shaping you into the leader you’re becoming, and the legacy you’re destined to leave behind.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
If I’m truly honest, the one thing I know I would regret is not starting my business earlier—back when my children were small and when my sister and I were still figuring out who we wanted to be as women, leaders, and creators. If we had planted the seeds then, we would have had more time—not just to build a company, but to grow a legacy brand alongside our families, as our children, friends, and communities evolved with us. The impact could have been generational, interwoven into family traditions and cultural moments from the very beginning.
But here’s what I’ve learned: regret doesn’t have to be an anchor—it can be a catalyst. Instead of dwelling on what might have been, I chose to turn that energy into action. That’s why I’ve made it a priority to invest in young, emerging entrepreneurs, serving as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and partnering with institutions like Bowie State, Baylor University, Howard University, and Morgan State University to create experiential learning opportunities. If I didn’t start sooner, I can at least ensure that others don’t delay. I want the next generation of dreamers to build boldly, start sooner, and create lasting impact without hesitation.
Through this journey, I’ve come to understand that time itself is impact. Starting earlier would have meant more years of representation for children, more years of inspiration for families, and more years of creating spaces where kids feel truly seen and celebrated. That realization fuels EPIC Everyday, our family-owned, women-led lifestyle and licensed character brand. Every product we design and every character we bring to life is rooted in love, built on community, and meant to leave a mark that lasts well beyond us.
For me, the greatest lesson is this: legacy brands aren’t built on profits alone—they’re built on purpose, passion, and people. They are strengthened by real connections and rooted in love. That’s the story I want to leave behind—not just that we built a business, but that we built a movement that touched lives, uplifted communities, and instilled confidence in generations to come.
So if you’re standing at the edge of your own dream, let this be the reminder: don’t wait. Start now. Start bold. Every year you delay is a year of legacy you could be building.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopepiceveryday.com/
- Instagram: @epiceverydayofficial
- Facebook: @epiceverydayofficial
Image Credits
EYEImagery
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