Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenya Michelle.
Hi Kenya, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, my name is Kenya Michelle. I am an event, marketing, and partnership strategist and consultant with 18 years’ worth of experience. I completed my bachelor’s degree in International Hospitality Management specializing in Events and Convention Planning and completed my master’s degree in Colorado State University on Organizational Leadership.
I have led a very adventurous and complex life that has made me a unicorn in a personal and professional setting.
Professionally, I started working at the age of 14 in bakery and coffee shop jobs. As I was finishing high school, I was employed at a local gym as a group instructor and personal trainer, which allowed me to be an essential part of people’s fitness and health goals. In 2002 I got certified as a Group Fitness Instructor with the Athletic & Fitness Association of America (AFAA). I continued to teach group classes, such as steps, kickboxing, and dance (before Zumba became a thing). During this time, I married and became a mom, and in 2006 I joined the US Army and became a human resource and intelligence specialist for the 4th Infantry Division. My military career further shaped my professional values and allowed me to go back to school, where I finished my bachelor’s degree. On my school’s campus, a career fair was held by Starwood Hospitality. That is how I got my first opportunity to work in the hospitality industry, first as a room service server and then in the event planning department. I got the chance to grow and become an event planning manager working for brands such as Sheraton, Ritz-Carlton, Wyndham, Westin, and Marriott.
Unfortunately, like many in the hospitality industry, I got furloughed. That is how I started my digital marketing freelancing business, offering my services to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Spanish and English. I am currently working on a self-journey book based on my life and a mentorship podcast.
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico (Caribbean), currently calling Celina, TX, home, where I share my life with my loving husband, two teenagers, and 2 rescue dogs, a 4-year-old Chihuahua, and a Collie/Labrador mix puppy.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My life journey has been adventure-filled, but it has had much turbulence. Moments of failure, sadness, combined with moments of triumph, have shaped the person I have become today. I have kept the quote from Winston Churchill close to me in my journey:” Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Even when the path has not been straightforward, and I have a stumble, I have always given it my all, gotten right back up, and have charged right back into battle.
Funny enough, while doing some cleaning in the attic, I came across my “I Love Me Book” . I learned about this practice in the military of having a binder that contains all your records, certificates, awards, and other vital documents for your career. By going through my binder, I remembered the incredible opportunities I have had coming from such a humble background, raised by a hard-working single mom. There have been dark times, lots of self-doubts, and a complete loss of faith in my abilities and power. But I have had a great team and lifelong battle-buddies pushing me forward. Today I can say that I continue to find myself and have nurtured that fearless, outspoken, daring, and relentless girl and now a woman that I am, continually being an example for my kids and myself that anything is possible.
We’ve been impressed with Uniquely Powerful Media, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Uniquely Powerful Media is a boutique agency that offers digital branding and marketing design services in English and Spanish to realize women and minority-led small businesses’ full potential through emotional currency. My vision is to develop and grow connections by fostering a collaborative community and cross-cultural understanding, support, and empowerment.
Early in my marketing research, I found an assumption that branding is exclusively for more prominent companies or large corporations. As a result, the small business owner often forgoes the importance of branding and setting a voice. As a result, their company’s voice gets lost in the torrent of data, content, and information on the internet, social media, and advertisements. I have poured my soul and wild creativity to change that reality and be the positive voice for small business owners doubting that they are powerful and that what they have to offer is unique.
My specializations are brand design, digital content design, marketing consultant, and mentoring.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up was interesting; living on an island with such a rich culture, you can experience the larger-than-life personalities, parties, the warmth of the neighbor’s food, the loud music, and parrandas (the Boricua version of a Christmas Carol). As mentioned earlier, I was raised by a single mom (my hero) with my younger brother, and I took on many responsibilities at a young age. I was a fearless and outspoken little girl and an even bolder teenager. I was very artistic and took advantage of all the arts programs in and out of school, ballet, dancing, theater, choir, painting, and fashion design. Creativity has always been a part of who I am. While I stopped being creative for so long, I am turning on that part of my soul that was quiet for so long.
Contact Info:
- Email: kenya@uniquelypowerful.com
- Website: www.uniquelypowerful.com
- Instagram: @uniquelypowerfulmedia
- Facebook: @uniquelypowerfulmedia
- Twitter: @UPMedia_byKenya
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJOx39rHv5LxMSlb-ctymtw
- Other: https://msha.ke/uniquelypowerfulmedia/
Image Credits
Luis “Santos” Vazquez
