We recently had the chance to connect with Carey-Lee Dixon and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Carey-Lee, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Some days are better than others. Most mornings, my first 90 minutes start with me and time with God, not to-do lists or showing up for others. Some mornings, I begin by saying a word of prayer as I open my eyes, then I go to the YouVersion Bible app, shower, and head out for a walk. That walk is one of the parts I enjoy the most, because I use it for prayer, reflection, and alone time all in one. I also use my morning walks to check in with how I truly feel.
On other mornings, I find myself reaching for my phone first, checking notifications, emails, and WhatsApp, and it can throw me off balance. But I’ve come to accept that not every morning will look the same. I adjust as needed, especially if my morning isn’t flowing the way I want it to. If I fall off, I adjust and keep going.
There isn’t a strict routine, and I’ve learned that’s okay. The important thing is that my mornings start with God.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
For years, I was the self-acclaimed “Behind-the-Scenes Girl.” I thrived in the background, designing, building brands, and creating strategies that helped others shine. Creativity has always been my language, but somewhere along the way, I realised something important: I wasn’t using my own voice.
That realisation became a turning point. I began stepping out from behind the curtain, learning to merge my creative skills with purpose. And as I did, I noticed something, I wasn’t alone. So many women, especially entrepreneurs, had the vision and drive but were hiding their brilliance behind their businesses, unsure how to show up boldly and authentically online.
That’s when my mission took shape through Carey Digital, which first started because I wanted to share my knowledge with a broader audience, but also to build my confidence on camera. What started as sit-down videos and tutorials evolved into masterclasses, team trainings and local partnerships, as I began helping women entrepreneurs gain clarity and step confidently into the spotlight, transforming their ideas into visual stories and brands that reflect who they are. I teach entrepreneurs and professionals that Canva is more than just a design tool; it’s a strategic branding and content tool that can amplify their impact. These days, I blend creativity, teaching, and coaching to help women find clarity, courage and build a brand presence that is authentic to them.
But my passion for creativity doesn’t stop there. Through Creative Design Camp, I guide preteens and teens as they explore their own bold ideas, helping them turn creativity into purpose and confidence. Watching them bring their visions to life through design and tech projects reminds me how powerful it is to nurture self-belief early on.
My journey has also opened incredible doors. Through years of sharing my Canva knowledge, I’ve been honoured to be recognised as the first and only Canva Design Community Ambassador in Jamaica, a role that allows me to empower others across the region through education, creativity, and connection.
Today, I see my work as part of something bigger. I’m further expanding into training, education, and coaching, creating spaces where both women and youth can discover their strengths, find their voices, and show up fully as themselves.
Because I know what it’s like to be behind the scenes. And now, my purpose is to help others step boldly into their own spotlight, with creativity, courage and confidence.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
As a child, I was very talkative and outspoken. I would get that a lot on my report cards: “Carey-Lee is talkative and disrupts the class.” And the same could be said about being opinionated; I always had something to say. But somewhere along the line, I started sharing my opinions less, maybe because no one made me feel it was okay to have one. Over time, I became more reserved, holding my thoughts in rather than expressing them.
It affected me more than I realised. I would sometimes stay quiet when I shouldn’t have, or rebel in small ways because I had an opinion I didn’t know how to express fully. That tension between what I felt and what I said shaped a lot of my interactions, and it took me a while to notice the impact it had on my confidence and my voice.
As I’ve grown and gained more wisdom and experience, especially in my 30s, I’ve learned to speak up. I speak up for what I believe, share my opinions, and have learned that it’s okay to do so. I’ve discovered ways to express myself effectively, not out of rebellion, but to be heard, to inspire decisions, drive change, and make an impact, whether online, in meetings, or among friends.
I’ve realised that being talkative and opinionated isn’t inherently a problem. In fact, it could very well be linked to my deeper qualities: being an advocate, caring deeply, and speaking up for the voiceless. I believe this is something adults can also do better at. Rather than shunning a child for traits that seem overbearing, we can guide them, help them leverage these qualities, and harness them; it could ultimately become their superpower.
Because sometimes, what looks like disruption in a child is really the early signs of leadership. And when nurtured, that spark can grow into something powerful, a voice that advocates, inspires, and makes a difference.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that held me back the most in life was the fear of being rejected. I struggled with rejection, hearing “no,” and not being accepted. I tied it to my worth, as if someone saying no meant I wasn’t good enough.
Because of that, I held myself back. I didn’t pursue certain things, or if I did, I hid. I hid behind my work, behind projects, behind the things I poured myself into that meant a lot to me, but underneath it all, I was struggling.
Over the last few years, though, I’ve come into such a powerful knowing: rejection has nothing to do with my worth. That doesn’t mean the thoughts never creep in; sometimes they still do. But now, I’ve learned to shut them down, to turn off the noise, and refocus on the mission at hand.
Fear held me captive for a long time. I don’t have a secret formula for overcoming it. What changed is that I decided I couldn’t live my life in fear anymore. I had to get intentional, not only about what I wanted, but most importantly, why. It was my why that gave me the fuel. The deeper purpose, the reason behind what I do, became stronger than the fear.
Recently, I listened to a podcast with Rushane Campbell (Rushcam) on Koined Insights that gave this lesson even greater depth. He shared that we should actually be hearing more “nos” because those rejections have nothing to do with us personally. Sometimes it’s just about timing, or the fact that the opportunity doesn’t align, or even how we’ve positioned ourselves for what we want. That perspective reminded me that rejection isn’t a verdict on my worth, it’s often just redirection.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Hahaha, this is such a good question.
I’ve always struggled with vulnerability. Slowly, though, I’ve been lifting the veil, not just because being vulnerable builds connection, but also because it frees me.
A great portion of the public version of me is real; what I don’t think people always get to see is the part of me that has a sense of humour and who also cares so deeply about people. The more I show up online and share, however, the more that side of me comes out.
For instance, I care deeply about people discovering their purpose, finding their people and community. That’s why I constantly encourage my audience to be authentic, share what they love, and keep showing up, trusting that the right people will find them.
I know how overwhelming it can be when we hide parts of ourselves we long to express but keep buried.
So yes, there are parts of me I still wish I could share more openly, but I believe in due time, they’ll come forward. Recently, I created a series called From Hiding to Showing Up Boldly (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhF-B0UAPjSU2B7pLy40buEBxXniRO7w0), where I spoke about showing up boldly as a person, as well as building on-camera confidence and online presence. But the series was about more than just being visible; it was about showing up as yourself and serving the people you’re called to serve. That series was inspired by a realisation: so many of us are hiding ourselves and hiding behind our work.
And I know that journey all too well.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
If there’s one regret I know I would have, it would be not doing the work I am called to do: serving people, especially children.
Though I haven’t always been surrounded by children, reflecting on my own childhood and the experiences that shaped me, I see clearly why I am positioned to guide young hearts and minds. Over time, I’ve discovered a deep joy in interacting with children, making them feel seen and heard, helping them recognise and embrace their gifts, build confidence, and shine without the fear of being criticised or rejected.
My work involves walking alongside children, uncovering what makes them unique, and teaching them to celebrate their individuality. But it doesn’t stop there. I also guide parents, helping them nurture their children’s ideas and talents so those gifts can grow to their full potential. I believe every child has something within them waiting to be unearthed, and my role is to help them discover it.
This calling inspired me to create Creative Design Camp, a fun, creative, and tech-savvy space for preteens and teens to bring bold ideas to life through design. It also guides my work in youth ministry and as a mentor for children ages 9-11, small but meaningful steps toward showing up for the next generation. I see these efforts as just the beginning of how God has called me to serve children and families.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://careydigital.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careydigital.co/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/careyleedixon/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CareyDigital
Image Credits
All photos of me at the Creative Design Camp are credited to DPP Productions (Dynamic Divine Productions) and all photos of me in the black top, purple top and yellow suit are credited to Jik-Rueben Visuals
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
