We recently had the chance to connect with Kristi McDonald and have shared our conversation below.
Kristi , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My daughter is at a really fun age – she’s going to be 4 next month – so this summer was full of “firsts” for her. She was learning to swim, rode her first roller coaster, starting PreK. It’s all so much fun to see how excited she gets about everything. I’m grateful to have that time with her to experience all of it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a community builder here in East Texas. My passion is bringing people together, and I do that through a couple of different platforms.
I own the East Texas Wedding Extravaganza, which is our area’s largest and oldest bridal show. We’re celebrating it’s 17th year! It’s not just about vendors and couples; it’s about building a community where wedding pros and engaged couples can connect and get to know each other. I also run the Engaged Edit Bridal Community, a space dedicated to helping brides navigate the planning process.
I’m a big believer in innovation, and I love using platforms like Skool to help these communities grow. I’ve created groups for brides, wedding professionals, and small business owners to connect, learn, and support one another.
My main focus right now is on helping the businesses I work with succeed. My goal is to see them grow and thrive, which in turn helps our local wedding community become stronger. And in my spare time, I’m working on opening a new event venue in East Texas! That’s so much fun because it’s giving me such a different outlet to use my creativity.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is the one I have with my daughter. Having her has given me a brand new “why” for everything I do. It’s a powerful motivator because I know she’s watching me, and I want to be someone she can look up to.
It has put my beliefs and actions front and center. I’ve realized that it’s not enough to just say what I believe; I have to live it. This has pushed me to be more intentional, to act with integrity, and to pursue my goals with even more determination. Her presence in my life is a constant reminder to be the best version of myself, not just for me, but for her. I also love watching her overcome challenges and navigating through the world.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The biggest fear that held me back for a long time was the fear of what other people thought. Being a community builder, I feel like everything I do is very public. I spent so much energy worrying making a mistake in front of others. It’s a fear that can hold you back in ways you don’t even realize. It’s in the hesitation to make a post on social media, the fear of speaking up in a meeting, or the worry that people will judge your choices.
The funny thing is, I’ve since realized that most people are way too busy thinking about their own lives to spend much time thinking about mine. This realization was incredibly freeing. It allowed me to let go of the need for external validation and to start doing things for myself, not for the approval of others. It’s given me the courage to take risks, try new things, and pursue my own path, even if it’s not what everyone expects.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think smart people today are getting it wrong by not setting big enough goals. They aren’t failing because they’re reaching for something impossible; they’re failing because they’re setting easy goals with easy paths. They get distracted by things that are simply obtainable, and in doing so, they miss the opportunity to truly innovate and grow.
You have to set goals that seem a little unrealistic—goals that force you to think differently and create new answers. I see a lot of people spending time “working harder” on things that just aren’t working. The reality is, you can never work hard enough on a broken idea to make it successful. The answer isn’t to work harder; it’s to think bigger and think differently.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
Steven Bartlett, from The Diary of a CEO podcast, taught me one of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned: imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re in the wrong place—it means you’re in exactly the right place.
I now understand that feeling a bit of fear is a good thing; it keeps me motivated. It’s a signal that I’m setting big enough goals—goals that push me beyond my comfort zone and force me to think differently. Instead of seeing it as a sign of failure, I see it as an opportunity to grow and innovate. It’s a chance to stop working hard on things that aren’t working and start thinking bigger.
This feeling reminds me that I’m not just in a new situation; I’m in a new chapter, one where I get to learn and build something truly special. In that space of the unknown, something truly special can be born.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://KristiMcDonald.com
- Instagram: @EngagedEdit
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-mcdonald-344035369/
