Meet Kyndle Taylor

We recently connected with Kyndle Taylor and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kyndle, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

My first step to building confidence and self-esteem was to focus on understanding who I was as an individual. I took the time to reflect on my likes, dislikes, strengths and the potential areas for growth. By acknowledging my accomplishments and focusing on my potential, I built a solid foundation of core values that define me as a person. Brainstorming sessions, introspection and journaling were particularly helpful in this process, allowing me to gain clarity about my values and goals.

Setting realistic, incremental goals also provided a sense of direction and purpose. By accomplishing small tasks, I gained confidence in my ability to tackle larger challenges. This not only improved my self-esteem but also demonstrated that I could achieve what I set out to do. Learning to slow down and celebrate my achievements, no matter how minor, also helped to reinforce my belief in my capabilities.

Incorporating prayer into my daily routine was and continues to be a powerful tool in shaping my self-perception. It’s not always easy, but I am building an internal culture of consistently reminding myself of my worth and value in Christ! This practice shifts me from a mindset of doubt to one of assurance, helping to combat negative thoughts and allows me to foster a more optimistic outlook on life.

I’ve also learned how to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. By stepping outside of my comfort zone and embracing new experiences, I am building resilience and adaptability. So now, each failure becomes a valuable lesson that contributes to my personal development, ultimately boosting my knowledge, confidence and self-esteem.

Engaging with a supportive network of friends, family, and mentors also plays a crucial role in my confidence journey. The provided encouragement, constructive feedback and belief in my abilities often inspires me to push beyond my perceived limits.

Lastly, I learned the importance of self-compassion. Being kind to myself, especially during times of failure or stress, allows me to maintain a healthy level of confidence and self-esteem. By understanding that perfection is unattainable and that mistakes are a natural part of life, I’ve fostered a more compassionate and forgiving relationship with myself.

Through these steps, I have developed a stronger sense of confidence and self-esteem, which continues to grow as I navigate life’s challenges and opportunities.

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?

Greetings! My name is Kyndle Denine and I am the the visionary founder and owner of Black Culture Essentials®, a unisex bag/apparel brand that is passionately dedicated to promoting and celebrating the beauty, resilience, complexity and the overall richness that defines Black Culture. I am from Spring Lake, North Carolina and a proud Alumna of THEE Fayetteville State University (#ATTITUDECHECK #BRONCOPRIDE), having graduated in the Fall of 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration & Marketing. I’ve always been fashion-forward with a highly entrepreneurial and creative spirit, but it wasn’t until I attended my Alma Mater that I was introduced to fashion & style in a totally different way. Being amongst peers from different walks of life heavily influenced me to take a deeper dive into experimenting with fashion and really honing in on my personal sense of style. Since I was a young girl, I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and with my creative mindset and immense love for fashion, it only made sense that I would endeavor to one day start my own fashion brand.

The inspiration for Black Culture Essentials® stems from my own journey of self-discovery, immense pride in my cultural identity and the overwhelming desire to create thought-provoking yet stylish pieces. The brand was created in August 2022 after months of brainstorming ideas for a bag design that was not only statement-making, but one that specifically paid homage to Black Culture in a unique way. This idea was driven by my desire to celebrate and honor the rich tapestry of black culture and was inspired by the powerful stories, traditions, dialect and symbols that shape and define black heritage. For the next two years I experienced the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. I researched, I planned, I struggled with doubt, I battled with feelings of inadequacy, I allowed fear to overwhelm me at times and I even wanted to quit because all of the time and money being spent was becoming exhausting. This wasn’t my first time “starting” a business but I had never been this passionate about one of my ideas before. I was so determined to see my vision through and am happy to say that Black Culture Essentials® was officially launched to the public on March 16, 2024!

Our brand mission is to celebrate and elevate the rich heritage and influence of black culture on fashion, recognizing its power to challenge norms, break boundaries, and inspire individuals to express their authentic selves through their personal style. Our aim is to highlight the black experience from a black prospective because no-one can tell our stories like we can, and it is important that black voices continue to be amplified in the fashion space. Like many others, I grew tired of seeing the blatant misappropriation of our culture and wanted to create a meaningful brand that extended black voices in the sartorial space; helping to fill the gaps in the market for stylish and culturally resonant products designed to speak to the heart of the Black experience.

Creativity is the backbone of the Black Culture Essentials® brand. While we are still in the early stages, I am dedicated to ensuring that each product offered will be created with design elements that tell a story and spark conversation. From thought-provoking graphics and bold statements, to subtle nods to historical figures and events, every piece will be created with thoughtful intention. Maintaining this approach will ensure that the brand will continue to celebrate the richness and diversity of Black Culture, inspiring pride and connection in all who engage with it.

Through Black Culture Essentials®, I hope to inspire a new generation to embrace their heritage, stand tall in their identities, and walk with confidence knowing that their culture is not just celebrated, but revered. As my Brand continues to flourish, it is my hope that its message will resonate far and wide, sparking a movement of empowerment, unity, and unapologetic self-expression.

I would love for you to check out our brand’s first product, the “limited edition” mini C.U.L.T. (Cultivating Unlimited Love Together) satchel. It is a high quality black vegan leather bag that features a bright fluorescent green lining (this signifies our brand colors), and only 100 of these handbags have been produced to commemorate our launch. It is small yet spacious bag and features our brand’s signature statement “Black Culture Essentials Inside” in embossed letters. Low quantities are currently available for purchase on the Black Culture Essentials® website. We also have a small quantity of unisex sweatshirts available. Due to an array of unforeseen manufacturing challenges, we are currently prepping for our next launch in Spring 2025.

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?

The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey are:

1. Resilience and Perseverance
2. Innovative Thinking
3. Passion and Commitment

I’ve found that entrepreneurship is filled with highs and lows and while I am still learning how to effectively navigate this exciting journey, here’s my advice to budding entrepreneurs:

1. As an entrepreneur, you will frequently encounter setbacks and failures. Having the ability to bounce back from these challenges with renewed energy and determination is essential. Your resilience will helps you stay focused on your goals, adapt to changing circumstances, and continue moving forward despite the obstacles that you may face.

2. Innovation is at the heart of entrepreneurship. You must be able to think creatively and strategically, challenge the status quo, and come up with novel solutions to problems. This quality will enable you to identify unique opportunities and develop products or services that meet the needs of your target markets in new and exciting ways.

3. Find your passion and stick to it! Your passion will fuel your commitment to your idea. Your passion will drive you to work tirelessly, overcome challenges, and remain dedicated to your goals. It will also help sustain your motivation through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes! I am definitely looking to partner/collaborate with other Black creatives to continue pushing Black Culture Essentials® forward in the fashion space. I am looking to network with talented graphic designers, social media content managers, photographers, models, makeup artists, and fashion influencers.

If you’re interested in partnering or collaborating, please send an email to blackcultureessentials@gmail.com

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blackcultureessentials@gmail.com
• Instagram: @blackcultureessentials
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555393113050
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@blackcultureessentials

Image Credits

George Overton, Mesmarise Photography
Preston Siler, Graphic Design