We recently connected with Kara Self and have shared our conversation below.
Kara, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
A resilient person is one that is able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions, by definition. Where does this trait come from? In my case, it comes from my past experiences, present situations, and future ambitions. Your past dictates characteristics that define your core. While many of my experiences in childhood were awesome and fulfilling, there were times that I felt neglected and abandoned. As a woman, this led me to have an immense need to lean on myself and to always make myself ok. My big brother played a significant role in my support system during times that my self-support wavered. After having a daughter and becoming a single mom, I knew I had to guide her in a way that would empower her to be able to handle life and everything it throws at you. This led me to make an example of myself for her by going back to school, starting my business, and always getting back up when life knocked me down. While resilience is worn as a badge of honor by most and also seen as a positive trait, for the most resilient of us, it is normally more of a simple choice between living in a sorrowful and hopeless place or striving for a better and positive future for yourself and those that you love.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In 2021, after years in the service industry, I embarked on a journey of discipline and determination to continue my education with the goal of completing my bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship. After many failed attempts at college, I was finally able to complete this goal in September of 2022. Shortly after, my passions implored me to continue my education to a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship that I am currently pursuing. During my time in school, I launched a glassware painting business, in which I host paint parties with wine glasses, beer pints, and other glass pieces. After the parties, I then seal and cure the artwork for the participants to be able to actually use. I then expanded to do furniture upcycling and vintage flips. Combining art and business has been a passion of mine, so that other’s pursuing their dreams will be able to have a blueprint for how to be a creative and a successful business owner simultaneously. This has led me to offer business services, classes, and mentoring. Elevating my business attributes led to roles within the community including a role at the Capital City Chamber of Commerce as the Director of Membership and many other opportunities. I am looking to grow the business via more online sales and business tips via social media in 2024.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Keeping a positive attitude, believing it CAN happen for you, and putting in work without expecting a return in the beginning is what truly separates the ones that make it in entrepreneurship and those that don’t. When you begin your journey, networking is your best friend. You want to build relationships and tell people about what you are doing. It may not feel natural at first, but this is a guaranteed way to be successful. Social media shows the glamor of owning a business or creating art, but you have to go after it for years to get where you want to be. I am still not where I want to be yet, even after receiving awards, opportunities, and accolades. Believe in yourself and why you are doing what you are doing, and you will succeed!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I think collaboration is the biggest way we can win! When we focus our energy on success together, we bring more positive realization to it. I would love to collaborate in many ways. I have written articles, done shows, spoken at events, had collaborative events and much more. Anyone that would like to collaborate can reach out!
Contact Info:
- Website: 1lnk.page/InspiredEvents
- Instagram: @kara_inspires
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inspiredeventsbyk
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kara-self-3b897122b
Image Credits
Tally Entertainment Fasig Brooks
