We recently connected with K Carlton and have shared our conversation below.
K, thrilled to have you on the platform as I think our readers can really benefit from your insights and experiences. In particular, we’d love to hear about how you think about burnout, avoiding or overcoming burnout, etc.
Burnout is easily experienced as an entrepreneur; it can creep up on you unexpectedly. To prevent it, I establish boundaries, prioritize self-care and “me time,” and am comfortable saying “No.” I maintain set work days and hours, along with days devoid of meetings, and dedicate one day entirely to relaxation. If I feel fatigued and in need of rest, I cancel my plans and prioritize self-care. If burnout seems imminent, I cancel all commitments, including social events, to focus on self-rejuvenation, often through rest or leisurely, unscheduled activities. My cherished Sunday tradition involves preparing a lavish breakfast, complete with mimosas, and indulging in a day of movies on my couch. I ensure to carve out this time weekly.
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 was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. I am a wife of 20 years and a mom to a 20-year-old daughter who is a second-year Costume Design major at Fayetteville State University, a 13-year-old daughter soon to be graduate and high school freshman, and the cutest black and white guinea pig ever, Stevie Michael Prince! My company is K. Carlton, Inc., where we specialize in making events come to life through Event Planning, Production, and Management, Travel Curation, and Wedding Planning and Coordination. My team and I have executed projects in over 20 cities, ranging from large wellness retreats in the Rocky Mountains to intimate events supporting local Black-owned businesses and HBCUs. Everything I do in my career revolves around helping individuals realize their grand vision. I find immense joy in witnessing someone’s dream become a reality.
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?
Three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that are most impactful in my continued journey are personability, adaptability, and consistent and clear communication. In my industry, one must relate to a variety of people, pivot effectively when facing chaos, and communicate frequently and effectively with colleagues. Clear communication underpins the effectiveness of personability and adaptability. To cultivate personable skills, one should consider how they wish to be treated and extend the same courtesy to others, and then strive to surpass it. Adaptability is honed through nurturing inner peace, mastering the ability to center oneself amidst turmoil. Effective communication begins with active listening; understanding what’s being communicated is essential for formulating an appropriate response.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to introduce me to the world through travel. Not only did we explore other cities, states, and countries, but also right in our own city. If we weren’t traveling by plane, we would be discovering new places by car. Meeting people from other cultures shaped my perspective of the world, broadened my horizons, expanded my creativity, and challenged my thinking.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kcarltoninc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcarltoninc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kcarltoninc
- Linkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/kacarlton / https://www.linkedin.com/company/k-carlton-inc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kcarltoninc
- Other: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@kcarltoninc
Image Credits
Photographer: Kymon O.
