Meet Cara Johnson-Graves

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cara Johnson-Graves a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cara, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose by reconnecting with who I was before the world tried to tell me who I should be.

From a young age, I was drawn to stories, characters, and colors that reflected life in bold, vibrant ways. But what I noticed even more was the absence—of representation, of affirmation, of kids who looked like me in the books we read, the shows we watched, and the products we bought. That gap stayed with me. It turned into a question, and eventually, that question became a calling.

Since the beginning, my mother was intentional about creating an environment where our books, toys, enrichment, and extracurricular activities were richly diverse. She planted the seeds of cultural pride, curiosity, and confidence that would later grow into the foundation of my life’s work. In our home, inclusion wasn’t a buzzword—it was a birthright.

Attending the School for Creative and Performing Arts was pivotal. It was the first space where I was taught that creativity wasn’t just an extracurricular—it was a gift, a responsibility, and a voice. There, every child was encouraged to hone their talents and trust their instincts. I learned to see my ideas not just as possibilities, but as solutions the world needed.

Later, becoming valedictorian at thee National Treasure Morgan State University, my Historically Black College and University reinforced my sense of purpose. At my HBCU, success was never just academic—it was cultural, communal, and rooted in legacy. I was surrounded by excellence and taught to lead with intention. That experience gave me a deeper understanding of why creating affirming spaces for children like me—through characters, storytelling, and products—wasn’t just a good idea. It was a necessary one.

Purpose isn’t always something you find overnight. Sometimes, it’s the quiet knowing that grows louder with every step you take toward the child you once were—and the future you want to create.

Purpose has and will always be about leaving a legacy of joy and self-love by empowering others to confidently take up space with authenticity.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Meet the Vision Behind EPIC Everyday: A Brand Rooted in Confidence, Culture & Creativity
Hi, I’m Cara Johnson-Graves—STEM nerd turned creative visionary and CEO of EPIC Everyday, a purpose-driven kids’ lifestyle brand created to affirm, celebrate, and empower multicultural children around the world.

My journey into entrepreneurship is deeply personal. As a former Oncology Center Director and longtime advocate for community health, I’ve always been passionate about healing and visibility. But becoming a mother, auntie, and mentor revealed a new gap—where were the joyful, inclusive products that reflected the brilliance of children of color?

EPIC Everyday was born from that question. Our brand creates character-based apparel, accessories, home goods, and stories that help children feel seen, valued, and inspired. EPIC stands for Empowered, Positive, Innovative, and Creative—the values we aim to spark in every child we reach.

What’s most exciting about what I do is knowing we’re shifting the narrative—one product, one story, and one smile at a time. Our characters reflect a wide range of tones, textures, abilities, and personalities. We’re not just selling products—we’re building self-esteem and legacy.

Right now, we’re in an exciting phase of growth:
✨ Expanding our corporate and licensing partnerships
📚 Developing our host of characters for storytelling
🛍️ Launching new seasonal collections and giftable goods that make joy and identity go hand-in-hand
🌍 Engaging with global communities who see their children reflected and celebrated in our brand

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or advocate for diversity, EPIC Everyday is for you—and especially for the kids in your life who deserve to be uplifted with intention and love.

We believe representation isn’t a trend. It’s a requirement. And we’re just getting started.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The 3 Most Impactful Qualities That Shaped My Journey—and How You Can Cultivate Them
Looking back, three qualities have been absolutely foundational in shaping my entrepreneurial journey:

1. Agility and the Power of the Pivot
If there’s one superpower that’s carried me through every twist and turn, it’s agility. The ability to shift gears without losing your purpose is what transforms obstacles into opportunities. From reimagining product lines during the pandemic to navigating changes in supply chains and customer behavior, I’ve learned that adaptability isn’t just a skill—it’s a survival strategy.

When I launched EPIC Everyday, I had a vision, but the execution had to evolve many times over. Whether it was bootstrapping with limited capital, pivoting our marketing to meet parents where they were, or leaning into new tech like AI and automation, I embraced flexibility without compromising on our mission.

Advice:
Don’t get so attached to “how” that you forget your “why.” Build a foundation rooted in purpose, but stay open to new ways of bringing that purpose to life. Make reflection a regular part of your process and see pivots as power moves—not setbacks.

2. Creative Courage
Creativity without action is potential left on the table. Creative courage is what helped me pitch fresh ideas, tell underrepresented stories, and bring culturally affirming products to life—sometimes before the market even knew to ask for them.

Advice:
Get comfortable being the first, the different, the bold. Protect your ideas long enough to develop them, and surround yourself with people who understand your vision. Courage builds over time through consistent action, so start small but stay intentional.

3. Storytelling with Purpose
I’ve always believed in the transformational power of story—not just to sell, but to connect. My background in public health and oncology showed me how narratives shape how we see ourselves and others. When creating EPIC Everyday, I knew that every product, character, and message had to reflect purpose, joy, and identity.

Advice:
Your story is your brand’s heartbeat. Own it, shape it, and share it. The more clear and grounded you are in your purpose, the more magnetic and trustworthy your brand becomes. Keep refining how you tell your story across every touchpoint—on your website, in your packaging, in the way you speak.

No matter where you’re starting, know this: your journey won’t be perfect, but it will be powerful. There will be roadblocks, detours, and days that stretch your spirit—but those moments are part of the build. Keep showing up, stay anchored in your “why,” and trust that every step forward is shaping the legacy you’re here to leave.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

Recently, a book that has deeply impacted both my mindset and momentum is No One Is Self-Made: Build Your Village to Flourish in Business and Life by Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon.

This book reframed everything I thought I knew about success. It’s not just a business book—it’s a blueprint for intentional community, legacy-building, and thriving through collective power. As a founder, I often carry the weight of my vision on my shoulders. But No One Is Self-Made reminded me that business isn’t built in isolation—it’s built in alignment with others who share your values, sharpen your focus, and help you hold the mirror up when needed.

A few of the most impactful nuggets of wisdom I took away include:

Your village is your infrastructure. Who you align with—mentors, collaborators, even customers—can either elevate your vision or dilute it. Be intentional about the relationships you invest in.

Impactful success is communal success. This hit home for me. As the CEO of a purpose-driven kids’ brand, EPIC Everyday, I’m not just building a company—I’m building a platform to amplify and affirm others. That’s not something I can or should do alone.

Clarity is power. The book gave me language and space to reflect more deeply on what I’m building, why I’m building it, and who it’s ultimately for. That clarity has become a compass for how I make decisions and how I show up as a leader.

Reading this book didn’t just inspire me—it ignited ideas. It affirmed my belief that community isn’t a bonus to success—it’s the foundation. And as an emerging brand with a mission rooted in empowerment and equity, I’m leaning into this collective approach more than ever before.

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling with intention, No One Is Self-Made is a must-read for anyone looking to build a business that lasts and uplifts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shopepiceveryday.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epiceverydayofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/epiceverydayofficial/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epiceveryday/

Image Credits

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