The Beauty of Success

Today is a BIG DAY! I am so honored and proud to share that my first book, The Beauty of Success: Start, Grow and Accelerate Your Brand, is NOW available for pre-order at Target, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Mark your calendars, the release date is set for February 13, 2024! ???

When I was little I used to write these little books and read them to my baby dolls. Tierra just finished writing her first book and I am so proud that she was able to go through this process of writing with me.?

In January 2019, I received my initial inspiration to construct the foundation for a book during a conversation with Charreah K. Jackson , Communication Strategist and Leadership Coach at Shine Army. Her enthusiastic encouragement was a catalyst, propelling me into action and motivating me to begin drafting my very first book proposal. I poured over every page but something wasn’t fully jelling, and I couldn’t crystallize my purpose for writing a book or the distinct objective I intended to offer to my readers.?

Fast forward to October 8, 2021, and a turning point occurred when I received an email via my website from Victoria Savanh saying, “I’ve been following your inspiring work and wanted to see if you'd be interested in talking about a potential book project.” Following a series of productive conversations and creative brainstorming sessions regarding the book’s direction, I enthusiastically signed with Wiley Publishing and Victoria as my publisher. Our official journey to bring this book to life commenced in May 2022.?

This time the process of crafting a book proposal was different. My sense of purpose was crystal clear. I had a profound alignment with the ‘why’ behind my work, and a keen understanding of what readers would gain from the book. Collaborating with Katy Saintil , we seamlessly collaborated to refine my original book proposal. We honed in on the recently launched BrainTrust Founders Studio and my core personal pillars, which served as the guiding vision behind the Studio’s inception - Community, Mentorship, Education and Capital. These principles encapsulate the invaluable wisdom I’ve acquired over my 20+ year journey from being an intrapreneur to an entrepreneur. They represent everything I’ve learned, required, and yearned for throughout my career.?

I am privileged to serve as the host of Business of the Beat podcast. Every week I sit with BIPOC entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs talking about their personal journeys, lessons learned when starting, growing and accelerating their brands and innovations across our industry. We explore themes of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in an industry that has not always represented our needs from a leadership perspective, product development and funding.? Through our conversations we are providing a blueprint for success and being the voice we wish we had throughout our own careers. We laugh, we cry and most importantly we share transparently and honestly in the hopes our words will help guide and support others.? The podcast is the bedrock of the book, and I often emphasize that supporting fellow founders goes beyond what any single person, including myself, can achieve. It is through faith, our collective efforts, unwavering commitment, and sheer determination that we can contribute to the creation of a more nurturing environment and greater outcomes for startup business owners.

The Beauty of Success book is a reflection of my personal entrepreneurial journey that also weaves together the narratives of several remarkable guests featured on my podcast from the last 130+ episodes. These individuals generously shared their own experiences, wisdom, and invaluable trade secrets. Together, we form a true brain trust of knowledge, united in our mission to share these insights as far and wide as possible.?

Thank you to the executives, coaches, leaders, influencers, founders, and journalists who joined me on the podcast and served as wellsprings of inspiration in bringing this book to life!?

Check out each of their episodes listed below to hear their full story:

• Rachel Roff , Unlocking Inequalities For Darker Skin
• Angela Manuel Davis , Living in Purpose
• Youmie Jean Francois , Creating a Money Mindset
• Angel Cornelius , Lessons from the “Book of Failures”
• Dionne Phillips , I Said Yes To Everything
• Natasha Edwards , The Journey to Peace, Purpose, and Community
• Tai Beauchamp , Knowing When and How to Pivot
• Lisa M. Price , Pass it Forward
• Troy Alexander , An Extraordinary Story of Brand Manifestation
• Helen Aboah , We All Win Together
• Chidinma Asonye , Will vs. Skill
• Joni Odum , Keep Recreating What’s Next
• Charreah K. Jackson , Honoring Your Legacy
• Junior Mintt, I Choose Me Everyday
• Monae Everett , Get Out of Your Own Way
• Nyakio Grieco
• Ron Robinson , There’s Nothing Quite Like Beauty Products

Upon finishing the initial draft of the book, there were two individuals, in addition to my editor and publisher, who played a crucial role in helping me cross the finish line:?

My mother, Teresa Bledsoe who meticulously read every page multiple times, provided unwavering support and motivation on a daily basis. She also offered factual guidance when I needed to recall specific dates or details, serving as a reliable source of truth amid the storytelling process. In the end she was the final set of discerning eyes before the manuscript went to print.

My dear friend, Sir John, whom I deeply admire and hold immense gratitude for. He not only took the time to read the book in its raw, unpolished form but also graciously penned the forward.? I am truly blessed with so many incredible people in my life and fortunate that when I asked him to be part of the book, he enthusiastically embraced the request with a resounding,“Yes!”?

I can’t wait for you to read this incredible journey and body of work. It’s an invitation for you to unearth your own guiding principles, kindle the flames of your passion, identify your strengths, and protect the qualities that make you uniquely invaluable.?

I invite you to pre-owner a copy today!?

Carpe Diem,

Kendra?

Author, Founder, CEO?

Adding Author to my title sure does feel good! A long time blessing and miracle in the making!