We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kevin Clark a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kevin, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Embrace your uniqueness. There is beauty and strength within it. Have confidence in who you are and what you bring to any room. I’d much rather be the one standing out from the crowd than the person following the masses. That’s the person people gravitate towards. The one creating their own path. The one leading the way.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m an Artist and a Writer. I have a business dedicated to my work entitled KJAC Designs (pronounced K-JACK). On the Art side I create Photography and Digital Abstract Art. For the Writing side, I write Inspirational Sayings and Poetry.
For years now, my business has primarily been Online Gift Shops where, through my collaboration with several On-Demand Companies, you can purchase my work on a wide variety of Gifts for All Occasions. In the last year, though, I’ve added an Online Subscription Platform to the business through Instagram. By subscribing, you can play Online Puzzle and Trivia games involving my Art and Designs as well as gain access to other Exclusive Creations and Benefits only available to Subscribers.
The most exciting part of KJAC Designs has always been the conduit it’s allowed me to create for inspiring people around the world….an initiative of positive influence. That’s always been my biggest motivation with the business.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Positive Attitude….your attitude is the foundation for everything and it is a choice. Without the right attitude, the true north of the direction you want to head will always be lost in sight. The wrong attitude can poison every aspect of your business no matter how hard you’re working. Make the choice of Positive over negative and cultivate it by surrounding yourself with an environment of Positive Influences.
Self-Discipline….anytime you are working for yourself, no matter what kind of business it is, self-discipline is key. The accountability to get up and work your business everyday is up to you but if you love what you are doing, the self-discipline to put in the work will be conditioned and formulated through that love. Find something you love and the self-discipline will be there. You’ll want to get up and work your business everyday.
Adaptability….the acceptance of change is not only important for business but is also one of the most pivotal qualities for life itself. Denial of change will only hold you back. The world is constantly changing and evolving so therefore your business will need to pivot as change occurs. Change is good for you….it challenges us….helps us grow. A mindset of openness towards adaptation will create smoother transitions when times of change are forthcoming. Each of those moments of change are a practice session….an opportunity to improve. Approach the world with the mentality of a student that’s always open to learn. The more you learn to adapt, the more you’ll grow not just with your business but life in general.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
There are parts of my business that were not strengths when I began. I didn’t know much about marketing nor social media for that matter. I’ve never been much into social media on the personal side of life because I didn’t grow up in that era but both marketing and social media are pivotal parts of my business. I turned them into strengths over the years through practice, studying what others are doing, as well as trial and error. It’s important to be well rounded not just in business but life. This aligns with what I was saying earlier about being a student of the world.
Now, if you have the financial foundation to outsource those areas you’re not as strong in with people or resources that are, you could certainly go in that direction which would allow you to focus and invest more on your strengths but not all small businesses have that luxury, especially in the beginning, so it’s going to be up to you to learn and grow as necessary. At the end of the day, you want to find what works for you and keep doing it….expand upon it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/kjacdesigns
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kjacdesigns?igsh=YzAwZjE1ZTI0Zg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
