Today we’d like to introduce you to Kennedi Bowman.
Hi Kennedi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Of course, my name is Kennedi. I graduated from Alcorn State University in 2021 with my B.S. in Mass Communications, and I am currently pursuing a Masters’s Degree in Management Marketing at the University of Maryland. I began my journey as a social media influencer when I was still in high school. I started my Youtube Channel by vlogging my lifestyle to complement my Instagram following of 13 thousand people. As my viewership increased, Ema Ele, my official website, was born. During my sophomore year of college, I wanted to generate another income stream, so I started selling phone cases. Nobody on my campus was selling phone cases, and I was striving to be different. Eventually, I developed a passion for jewelry, especially personalized jewelry. I enjoyed seeing how much jewelry can transform an outfit; therefore, I expanded my inventory. During quarantine, my college campus was shut down, and I was sent home with ample time on my hands. That’s when I reached out to a tax professional to gain insight into advancing the scope of my business. After meeting with her, I decided to vlog my experiences. I created an entrepreneur series on my Youtube Channel, Kennedi Emaree, to share with people the process of launching a business. This move has increased my subscriptions and views because I am meeting the needs of other influencers and potential influencers.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Launching a business of any kind is never a smooth road. Business fluctuates all of the time. I thought this business journey would be a breeze when I started. Mainly because I knew a lot of people and figured they would all support me. I quickly learned that everyone is not interested in what I am selling, and that’s okay. Don’t take it personally. There are people you don’t know that will support you. As a result, it is important to do your best to learn how to appreciate the journey and everything that comes with it. There were times I felt like giving up because the challenges seemed overwhelming. First, I lost confidence in myself. When sales were down, I began to doubt both my calling and my ability to be creative. Self-doubt took me back to my spiritual roots.
I needed to restore my faith. Secondly, customer satisfaction will always be a priority and a challenge. Sometimes there will be obstacles you cannot control, such as postal deliveries. When your policies guarantee promptness, but the package arrives late, I learned that the best thing to do is own it, find out what it takes to please the customer, and take the short-term hit to pave the way for future benefits. Furthermore, a one-person operation is a challenge that we all may face at the beginning. However, as soon as we can afford it, I recommend paying others for a service that you are not an expert in so that you can have more time to focus on the things you do best. Two examples of this are income taxes and social security requirements. In addition, a professional accountant is a valuable asset to a small business. These challenges reminded me why I started this business and what Ema Ele means to me and the people who support me. I have come too far to give up.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In addition to being a graduate student pursuing a Master’s degree in Management Marketing, I am a content creator. I have created content on social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube for about six years. My niche is the category of lifestyle improvement because I want to give myself the creative freedom to diversify. In addition, I am always striving to help people in any way I can. Initially, my Youtube content consisted of beauty tips, travel, personal testimonies, and relationships. Then, I began making helpful content for students attending my university as an undergrad. I decided to create those videos because I couldn’t find videos on YouTube regarding the university when I was entering as a freshman. Throughout my college career, students would approach me, stating they watched my YouTube videos and that I was a part of their decision-making process for attending the university. That was the most rewarding and fulfilling experience for me. My sensitivity to the needs of others and my willingness to address those needs set me apart from most people.
What do you think about happiness?
I firmly believe there are two types of happiness; one that is determined by external circumstances and one that exists regardless of external circumstances. The more I understand the nature of God, and how He is in control of our circumstances, the more I live by faith in Him alone. This belief helps me to be unaffected by the good and the bad, the highs and the lows in life. In all things, I have learned to be content. That is what happiness means to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emaele.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/@_emareee
- Youtube: YouTube.com/kennediemaree
- Other: Instagram.com/@emaree.elements
