We were lucky to catch up with Keisha Edwards recently and have shared our conversation below.
Keisha, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Developing self-confidence and self-esteem is such a journey, isn’t it? For me, diving into creative projects has played a big role in boosting my self-confidence. These projects often pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me trust my creative instincts rather than looking around me to see what was being done. It’s all about taking those bold steps and exploring new ways to achieve your dreams.
The sense of purpose that has come from creating something deeply personal, especially for young people, is incredible. One focus of my mission was to provide the kind of representation I wished I had as a child, and that consequently boosted my inner-child’s self-worth.
My favorite part has been the amazing response I’ve gotten from kids who connected what I’ve made. Seeing their joy and excitement validated my creative efforts and gave me a massive boost. It’s incredible how the impact you have on others can make such a difference in your own life. It’s all about taking risks, finding your purpose, and getting that awesome validation from the positive impact you make on others. It’s a unique journey for everyone, but it’s been worth every challenge!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Let me share a bit more about myself and the journey that led to the creation of my children’s book.
I’m a mom of three, a musician, speaker, dancer, and an overall creative soul. I’ve always been passionate about storytelling, and making up both stories and songs for my own kids. It’s been a long-held dream to share those stories with a broader audience. Initially, I thought the conventional path was the way to go, where I’d have to send my work to a publisher and find an illustrator who could match my imagined blueprint. However, the idea of that process seemed daunting and sapped all the joy out of the storytelling for me.
My tech-savvy husband was able to work his AI-coding magic allowing us to create original illustrations for my book and personalize it by including images of each child for whom the book was ordered-making them the star of the story. This innovative approach gave me full creative control and brought my vision for “Wild Dream Adventure” to life.
What makes this children’s book truly unique is the level of personalization it offers. Each child’s name becomes an integral part of the title, and through AI imaging, every child can see themselves in the story, taking on exciting roles they might have thought were impossible before. From doctors, teachers, and firefighters to dancers, actors, and whimsical roles like princes, princesses, and superheroes, it’s all about empowering kids to aspire to be whatever they want. This project is deeply personal because as a kid, I could never find personalized items with even my name on them, let alone kids who looked like me in storybooks. The storyline I’ve crafted is not only engaging but also encourages kids to explore the world of possibilities before them.
What I’ve learned from this experience is that there’s often more than one way to achieve your dreams, and we don’t always have to follow the status quo or wait for permission to move forward. This book is a testament to the power of creativity, innovation, and the belief that with the right tools, we can bring our dreams to life in our own unique way.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
If I had to pick three qualities that matter most, I’d say:
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Building Meaningful Relationships: A deep commitment to knowing and caring for those around me has been foundational for me. Prioritizing connections with others, listening, learning, and empathizing, has opened so many doors to opportunities and has enriched my life tremendously.
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Dedication: Dedication has been a driving force in my journey. Whether pursuing creative passions or working through challenges, committing wholeheartedly, and putting in hard work, time, and effort, often makes the difference between success and failure.
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Embracing diversity: World travel and experiencing other cultures have enriched my understanding of the world and sparked creativity. Seeking out opportunities to travel and immerse myself in different cultures has been a source of joy, inspiration, and a unique form of education that I am so grateful to have had.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
You know, I’m a big believer in the power of collaboration. We all have our own unique strengths, and I think we need each other to truly thrive. I’m all for personal growth and continuously improving myself, but there’s something special about working with people who bring different perspectives to the table. I do my best to function in my natural gifts and strengths while being open about my weaknesses. I grow by proxy when I surround myself with people who shine in areas I’m not as strong in. It’s a perfect reminder that I don’t have to be an expert in every little thing.
Working with other amazing folks has shown me firsthand how we accomplish more together because of our mixed bag of strengths. Being willing to invite others into your process is like the secret sauce to success, and the extrovert in me is here for it!
Contact Info:
- Website:imajinn.ai/storybook
- Instagram: @keishaleeza
