Today we’d like to introduce you to Na’Kedra Rodgers.
Hi Na’Kedra, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I never saw myself as an entrepreneur. It was my parents’ belief that you go to school, get a degree, get a job and show up every day unless you’re on PTO. Fast forward to 2020, the pandemic hit, and the world shut down. I started noticing people were getting creative with ways to earn money. They were party planners, had meal prep services, and provided custom print orders. I got to thinking I need to do something as well but couldn’t come up with anything. I didn’t bake and I wasn’t crafty, so I told myself that I didn’t have any talents. The enemy tried to convince me that I was useless, but we must resist the devil and he will flee. We have to speak positive things into existence. I asked a few in my circle what they thought I should do, and they all said the same thing. You should do something with encouragement. You already post bible scriptures every day. I was like those aren’t my words and they encouraged me to post anyway. I thought about it for a few weeks and finally decided to post my first inspirational video on social media April 16th, 2021. I was all over the place, but I stuck with it. Consistency indeed matters. Over the next few months, I did all the things: ordered business cards, set up a business email address, took professional photos, got a website done, got marketing tools like a retractable banner for vendor events, applied for my LLC, and opened a business account at the bank. Today, I’m speaking at events in addition to my inspirational videos on social media and I’m also an author. I wrote a 30-day Devotional. Kneeling Earnestly for Transformation. It will be published by a Christian company in Spring 2023.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve experienced disappointment and frustration a time or two. I sell affirmation t-shirts, but I don’t print them myself. I’m working with my third vendor. The first vendor towards the end stopped answering my calls/messages and wasn’t delivering the product when she had agreed to. That’s what happens when you don’t have a contract in place. I’ve had the words peel off my shirts and people don’t want faulty product, so I had to fix that at no cost to the customer. I’ve had shirts with the wrong bible verse printed on them which taught me to check my merchandise before I pay the invoice. I was doing business with a local printing company for my devotional. Some of the books had streaks on the pages and the pages were out of order. Through the setbacks and sometimes losses, I am still successful with a growing ministry. This is all a part of the process. You just have to keep going and learn and grow through what you go through.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
OptimisticallyKe is a Spiritual, Motivational Speaker, Author, and Influencer who posts daily inspirational messages on social media. She has experienced heartache, healing, and restoration. She desires to connect with women who are searching for their purpose in life, are considering throwing in the towel, and have lost hope. She uses biblically based words to walk through the process of living hopelessly to optimistically using these key points:
1. Ask God for direction
2. Trust His plan for your life
3. Walk by faith and not by sight
4. Be bold, courageous, and just GO
I am proud that my ministry is also a business. I have an entire product line: affirmation t-shirts, devotional, and custom jewelry. I am also proud that I didn’t give up after a few disappointments. I continue to bet on myself every time I pay a vendor event to help further my ministry beyond social media. I have started speaking at events with audiences and I’m believing that God will bless my ministry to travel around the world speaking about His goodness and sharing the gospel.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
No matter what you go through, don’t give up. Believe in yourself and your talent. Nothing in life worth having is easy. Success doesn’t happen overnight. Keep going. Believe that you’re on this entrepreneur journey for a reason and you will reach your desired goal if you stay persistent. You may have to start again but that’s OK. It happens. If you don’t know something, ask. Use your connections and resources made available to you. Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself. Be teachable and have an open mind. Everyone’s story is unique; however, you can be successful if you just stay the course and be willing to adapt to change. Be assertive and ask for opportunities. People can only tell you yes or no. Stay encouraged and remember that with God all things are possible.
Pricing:
- Tshirts are $20
- 30-day Devotional is $20
- Custom jewelry is $10
Contact Info:
- Website: www.okthatsme.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/OptimisticallyKe
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/OptimisticallyKe
