Meet Dawn Fowlkes

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dawn Fowlkes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dawn, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

At various stages of my life, I have dealt with some form of anxiety or depression, which may be the experience for many of us. It can be crippling, and some days you don’t know how to shake it or bring yourself out of that state.

I have been able to remain persistent during these mental health challenges by realizing that I have the power to create the greatness I want in my life. I HAD THE POWER. I am GR8, and it is infinite.

This realization was not to negate the fact that there is a higher power guiding life itself, but it was simply me recognizing clearly that no matter what knowledge I have, what teachings I follow, or what religion I may practice; unless I put action behind any of that, there will be no progression. No one can want your greatness more than you do.

Now, we all know that change does not happen overnight, right? So, even though I have realized this and know it to be true, putting that action into practice is a skill that I am still mastering—a work of greatness in progress, friends.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am the friend you never knew you needed! From an early age, I knew that my purpose was to give. I started KinFowlkes Design Solutions to provide quality graphic design services at affordable rates, specifically to assist small and startup businesses. This isn’t just a play on my name, but a way to let clients know that I am their ‘kinfolk’ and that I am deeply invested in their vision.

I channeled this passion into developing my brand, KINctd. (Kin: family, Connecting, Through, Diversity.), to encourage others to be the best versions of themselves. It serves as a way to share that we all have the power to create the greatness we desire in our lives—we just have to get out there and make it happen!

From there, as an outward expression and daily affirmation, I launched an apparel brand, GR8nessforme, and a personal brand, itstheGREATNESSforme, where my blog is hosted. This space allows me to express my greatness and share it with others, reminding us that we are all KINctd. on our journeys toward greatness.

In the coming months, I will be transitioning the core services of KinFowlkes Design Solutions to focus more on apparel design and startups. This will include brand design and concept, e-commerce, and apparel production, as well as educating about apparel design and production, whether in-house or through vendors.

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?

Looking back, mindfulness, self-reflection, and determination are the three skills that have most significantly impacted my journey.

Practicing mindfulness—being able to breathe through feelings and emotions, and analyze thoughts—has helped me process anxiety. Reflecting on situations and considering how my actions might have influenced the outcome, or understanding why a certain situation or feeling occurred, has been incredibly beneficial to my growth. It has allowed me to identify areas where I need improvement. Staying determined to push ahead and do the necessary work for growth is the greatest gift you can give yourself.

I’ll share a secret: the key to life is how well you can shift and refocus. It’s as simple and straightforward as that. Life is a series of shifts and refocusing efforts. When something unexpected or seemingly disastrous occurs, you can either shift and refocus to change the narrative, or you can let it hinder your progress. The choice is yours. Make the conscious effort to create the greatness you want in your life.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

Imposter syndrome is the biggest challenge I face as a solo-preneur.

Despite years of experience and proven expertise in my field, the rapid advancements in technology and the influx of new, emerging designers can sometimes make me feel out of my depth. However, practicing mindfulness helps me to disregard those doubtful thoughts, allows for self-reflection, and pushes me to overcome these feelings. It’s easy to get in my own way sometimes.

Often, we don’t perceive ourselves as others do. Caught up in the grind, the hustle, and the day-to-day tasks, we fail to recognize our own achievements. It’s common for others to see the greatness in us before we even begin to recognize it ourselves.

I encourage you to take a moment for yourself and reflect on all that you have accomplished today, this week, this month, this quarter, and this year. You are great! You did that! I am proud of you, friend!

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Image Credits

Jonathan Martin

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