Being raised in a one parent home, Kierra saw firsthand the challenges her mother faced…the relationships that she was in and out of, the jobs she had, and acquiring the means necessary to provide for 3 kids on her own. At 13, her mom met her husband and things began to change for the better. From preschool through high school, Kierra attended 12-13 different schools and lived in at least 12 different homes during that time period. Nonetheless, she dreamt of giving her kids what she didn’t have.
In 2008, she met her husband and they married two years later. Immediately, they started changing the narrative of their family history. Being that her husband was intentional about being a provider, she was able to stay home with their kids in their early years. Kierra worked in the media field fresh out of college. Now she’s still engaged in the media field by doing her podcast, The Love Factor.
Behind the Brand with Kierra
Strut: Growing up, did you imagine being an entrepreneur?
I didn’t have any thoughts or desires about being an entrepreneur. However, my dad had his own salon and owned rental properties. So that may have subconsciously played a role in my decision to be an entrepreneur.
Strut: Tell us about, Wives Club?
Wives Club membership provides mentorship, relationship coaching, fitness training, access to financial coaching and discounts on Financial Peace University, and events, workshops, and merchandise. The best part of Wives Club is the connections…knowing I’m making a difference and helping people to keep the legacy of marriage going.
Strut: Kierra, how did you get started in your industry?
While I enjoyed working part-time or working from home, I felt like I needed more of a support system for my journey as a wife. My closest friends were still single for the most part and I felt like I didn’t have anyone to really talk to about the intricate challenges of marriage. Therefore, I began to connect with other wives by having get-togethers. Each time we connected, wives would continue to ask me when was the next one or if they could bring someone. Oftentimes, our gatherings would be a liberating experience and it always amazed me how wives would start crying because of the feeling of being heard or empowered. This eventually led me to officially start the Wives Club.
I loved connecting with these ladies and because they wanted others to be able to partake in the experience, I realized I needed more space. So, I decided to make it public and have gatherings in different venues. I realized how much I desired to see people work through their marital issues when a friend of mine informed me that she was going through a divorce and I grieved as if it was my own marriage. So the mission of WC is to help wives feel empowered in their marriage and to provide them with a supportive community to help navigate challenges.
Strut: As an entrepreneur myself, I understand that sometimes personal life can get in the way of business. Have you encountered any personal hurdles that could have or did result in a business pivot?
Wow…this just really made me reflect. The very first workshop I hosted in public was in January 2019. It was a very full weekend. I had a rehearsal and a video shoot the night before and I recall on my way home, my mother called to inform me that the doctors were saying that my grandfather, who was on hospice, was expected to live for only another week. I immediately began to make preparations to travel to him and say my final goodbyes to him after my workshop had concluded the next day.
Finally, it’s the day of my first workshop. I’m excited and nervous at the same time. I had coordinated the guest speaker and the caterer and had been in communication with them the morning of. Then I received a text from my mother on my way to the workshop, informing me that my grandfather had lost his battle with cancer that morning. I was shocked!
Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to go see him one last time. I shed a few tears, prayed, and then my best friend prayed for me on Marco Polo, yet had no clue what I was really going through. I realized that the show must go on – I couldn’t just stop everything just because I experienced a loss that morning.
So I had to suck it up and realize that I was a boss now. Which meant, I had to keep it professional no matter what was going on in my life. The workshop went great and no one had a clue what I was truly feeling, not even my husband who was assisting me that morning. After it was all over, I finally allowed myself to be transparent with those who were closest to me and gave myself the space to grieve.
Strut: How did starting your brand affect your mental health?
Wow… it has been rewarding, yet stressful at times. I really feel like I’m starting to make progress. Connecting with others has been awesome for my mental health because I’m an extrovert. However, there are challenging times when I don’t feel like doing anything and I just want to take a hiatus. My business isn’t old enough to be trying to take a hiatus though. I need to keep grinding until my business is at a point where I don’t have to work it unless I want to.
Strut: What’s the difference between the woman (you) before starting the brand and the woman (you) right now?
Now, I am more focused than ever. My husband even noticed that I have been so intentional about building my business/ brand. Previously, I would just “go with the flow” in life. I didn’t have much of a plan, let alone much structure. Now I feel like I am really adulting and doing this business thing.
Strut: What are some tips for Business/Brand Owners to avoid feeling burnt out and taking care of their mental health?
To be honest, I’m still learning what this looks like as a business owner. I think the most important thing to remember is to take time to enjoy life. Take time for yourself and find ways to still connect with others. I have self-care Fridays. So I would go get my nails done or do something for myself to make sure I’m making time for myself. As an extrovert, I have a need for getting out and socializing. I enjoy dancing. So sometimes I would play Just Dance with my kiddos. Most of all, I believe prayer is the most essential piece of mental health.
Strut: Lastly, what keeps you struttin’?
Knowing that I have a purpose to fulfill. The feedback from many wives has been empowering, saying they appreciate the encouragement. I love what I do – help people stay married so that the next generation doesn’t have to suffer the wounds of divorce.
Ultimately, I want to show my kids that they can build a business and leave a legacy.
- Stay Connected with Kierra:
- Website: https://Wivesclub.net
- Instagram: @kierrad1
- Twitter: @Kierra_D1