We’re looking forward to introducing you to Na’Kedra Rodgers. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Na’Kedra, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
My mornings consist of getting up before everyone else in the house, getting on my knees to pray and getting breakfast ready before I wake up the girls for school. Both my daughters are school age now and it takes alot of getting organized to make sure that we get out the house on time every morning so they aren’t late for school. I make breakfast everyday because we don’t make it to school in time for them to eat there and I can’t have them going to school on an empty stomach.
After I drop them off, I come home and check emails and social media. There’s always something that I need to follow up on whether it’s a speaking opportunity or planning for my next vendor event. I have a daily checklist. I read bible verses to find an inspirational word to share with my audience to help them get their day started.
Once I’ve sent out the daily encouragement then it’s time to promote my upcoming events or prepare a submission for my blog.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I got my start by posting daily inspirational videos on social media, I didn’t have any formal training as a speaker; however, I had a heart for people and I’m an encourager. I consistently posted videos for about 8 months but soon recognized that virtual encouragement alone was not enough.
In January 2022, I launched the OptimisticallyKe product line, beginning with affirmation t-shirts. These were not ordinary garments—they were thoughtfully designed, each adorned with intentional words and paired with scripture, forming wearable reminders of identity and purpose. Her vision was clear: if people could see and touch positive affirmations rooted in faith, they would be more likely to internalize them and step confidently into their destinies.
The response was electric. Through tireless grassroots effort—registering for countless vendor events and conferences throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and as far as Louisiana—the OptimisticallyKe brand has sold over 2,000 t-shirts, weaving my message of hope into the very fabric of my customers’ daily lives.
My mission doesn’t end with apparel. I had a vision to touch lives in deeper, more lasting ways, so I authored my first book, Kneeling Earnestly for Transformation: 30 Day Devotional. This work guides readers through a transformative journey of hope, faith, and renewal, encouraging them to overcome obstacles and reshape their mindset one day at a time. Available wherever books are sold, the devotional has already reached over 1,000 readers—a milestone that marks just the beginning of my literary impact.
Recognizing the importance of nurturing belief in the next generation, I recently wrote my first children’s book, Optimistically Mommy and Me, set for worldwide release next month on October 28th. Through this endeavor, I aspire to empower not only women but also children, planting seeds of optimism and purpose early in life.
In addition to promoting my books and apparel, I am gearing up to host my women’s conference: 2nd Annual Transformation Ready Set Glow Conference on February 21st, 2026. This will be a gathering of 100 women coming together to give and receive empowerment, clarification of purpose, support from like-minded women and tools and resources to assist the attendees on their transformation journey.
Ladies, don’t miss out on this amazing experience. The conference will be held at the beautiful Botanic Garden in the cultural district of Fort Worth from 10-2pm. Registration is open!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As I child I believed that I could only do one thing and having a traditional job was the only way to be successful. That’s what we’re taught growing up. Go to school. Get a degree. Find a job and stay on that job until it’s time to retire. The world has changed quite a bit since the pandemic and the aftermath has fostered the idea that traditional jobs don’t have to be the final destination.
I officially started my business in January 2022 when I filed for my LLC. What started as a way of encouraging others has turned into a full-fledge business with multiple streams of income. I am able to encourage and empower individuals through my product line. I receive pictures of customers who proudly wear their OptimisticallyKe tshirts and jewelry. Both my books, Kneeling Earnestly for Transformation and Optimistically Mommy and Me are being read by readers across the U.S. and in the near future my conference will be attended by individuals both in person and virtually.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
As I mentioned earlier, it was after the pandemic that I felt the need to do more with my life. Everything that I had prayed for, I received. I asked God for a family, a good job, the resources to travel and a nice home. God blessed me; however, I still felt as if a void existed in my life. There were times when I wasn’t happy and had no idea why. I began to question what was the problem because to most people I was living the American dream.
Before I began to slip further into depression, I decided to shift the focus from my problems and do for others. That’s why I decided to sit in front of my camera phone on April 16th 2021 and record my first inspirational video. The world needed hope. Something positive to grab hold to while we were adjusting to our new normal.
I wasn’t going to allow my internal struggles dictate my life. The more I posted those videos, the lighter my burdens and problems seemed. After while, my spirit was more jovial and I was more pleasant to be around.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
What you see is what you get. I am a fun loving, family oriented, networking queen who loves Jesus. I enjoy encouraging people and reminding them that even though dark days come, things will get better. All we have to do is hang in there until our situation improves.
I’ve had several people come up to me and say, “You’re just like the person we see on social media”. Absolutely I am. I don’t know how to be anyone else. Life is too short to put on airs and try to be anyone else when just you will do. I have struggles just like everyone else. I get frustrated and have disappointments as well, but I still believe that my best days are yet to come.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m out working promoting my brand and doing ministry. My business is a ministry. It helps people. It uplifts them, empowers them, inspires them and motivates them. That is a big responsibility but it has also been one of my biggest blessings.
I often say that starting my business saved me. I found my purpose when I decided to become a business owner. I wake up with excitement everyday thinking about what I can give out into the world to empower and pour into others. It’s been a major blessing for me in so many ways but the biggest thing my business has done for me was draw me closer to God. I needed to develop a relationship with Him and get off the surface. Now I talk with God all the time and seek His guidance when making decisions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nakedrarodgers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optimisticallyke
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/nakedrarodgers
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/optimisticallyke
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@optimisticallyke1523
Image Credits
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