Meet Trailblazer Knyra Ratcliff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Knyra Ratcliff.

Knyra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
With faith and without fear, I entrusted the man above to direct my steps and lead me into my purpose, my calling, and what I believe is my passion–creating. Sometimes, all you need is that ‘gut feeling’ without the detail of what it is, but just that feeling of knowing that God has something in store for you and only you. The only ingredient was to just trust Him. So, I did and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.

Since a little girl, I’ve always remembered being creatively in touch with my imagination and helping others become in tune with their creative side. I was also a master of helping people ‘figure it out’ and providing direction without having to assume the title of a leader, but somehow leadership always seemed to have voluntarily found its way to me and, without question, I naturally accepted its challenges. All in which I considered being ‘uncomfortable’ situations which allowed me to grow and guide me to where I am today.

I’m one of those people who thought they knew what they wanted until God intervened and showed me otherwise, and of course, there was resistance. Initially, in college, I went to school for Broadcast Journalism with the idea that I was going to be behind the scenes producing shows and commercials, exciting right!? But God said “No.” I was in my sophomore year going into my junior year and I thought to myself “God there is no way that this can’t be for me, I’m already half-way there! I just need a sign.” Behold, a sign fell. My sorority sister, who was also in Broadcast Journalism preparing to graduate, began to ramble on about the requirements needed to get a job in journalism and all of these things that made me realize “You don’t want this Knyra because you’re not willing to do this or that to get there because this isn’t really your passion.” Side note: You’ll often realize what’s not for you when you’re not willing to fight through the hurdles or requirements to become successful in what you’re passionate about. Therefore, I decided to regroup and press ‘restart’, which led me to eventually finding what was going to be the foundation for my purpose–business administration and marketing.

Upon graduation, of course, we all experience the difficulty of finding a job in our fields or at least positions and companies that fit our long-term goals. I know I did! Initially, I was working as a Career Coach assisting veterans on transitioning into IT careers through resume-building, course tracking, and interview preparation. Though it was a humbling job being 23 helping those twice my age who’ve served our country find jobs, it wasn’t what I felt was making me truly happy. So, while working there, I branched out and started a side business of creating resumes for a network of friends which started to take off immensely. I wasn’t just doing ordinary resumes, but resumes that stood out and could catch an employer’s attention away from looking at the same one-hundred formatted resumes. Upon surprise, my customers were landing jobs and receiving compliments from their employers on their resume and how great it looked.

As great as it was, I kept telling myself, I don’t want to go any deeper into career services. I’m ready to dive into something new. So, in addition to resumes, I began teaching myself how to do flyers and logos through Adobe Creative Suite and utilized my network with members of Black Greek Organizations who were starting either a business or an event to gain practice and exposure for my work. I began to have so much work that I would seriously be overwhelmed locked in my office working on graphics and neglecting my actual full-time job. I found myself becoming unhappy because I could not do what I loved because I felt it wasn’t going to be enough to live off of, I didn’t have the time to devote to all of the customers I was receiving, nor the projects that came with it, and what do I know about maintaining a business–you’re right, every doubt came to my head of why I couldn’t or shouldn’t go for it! But God.

The secretary at my job came into my office and we somehow got on the subject of small businesses. I confided in her about a business I have in my heart to do and she began to tell me about a daycare she once owned and how to start a business. Literally, she gave me a blueprint that would help me to do what I wanted to do. Funny how God can place the right people in your life at the right time when fear begins to take over, right?

So, I took heed, and I at least went to go register and secure my business name to plant that seed that this was going to happen for me! Just not now.

A couple of months later, I left my career services job and landed a job working in sales for one of the largest online marketing companies selling a product I didn’t believe in, reading a script that took the life away from my personality, and working towards sale goals and commissions just to survive. It was then I knew, its time. You’re not going to be happy going from job to job because God had already placed your passion right in front of you, but fear was preventing me to realize its potential. I slowly overcame my fear and finally went and registered my business as an LLC and on August 31st, 2017 my paperwork came back approved and finalized. It was then I began to see that vision coming to life and seeing what God was leading me to. In the midst of doing so, I landed a big client in Canada. recommended by a close friend, who was willing to pay me twice as much that I was earning at my current job, to build her business from scratch. There was my sign, this was my opportunity, but doubt began to fill my mind and heart that I wasn’t ready. Who am I? What experience or credibility do I have to take this on? How am I going to do this?

I called my mom who is ranked toward the bottom of risk-takers to ask what should I do? Should I quit and take this on? Should I keep my job and try to manage both or decline her offer? By surprise, my mom said to leave and pursue. I was quite shocked at her reply and was hoping that she would feed my insecurities and doubt by telling me it’s not smart to do it and to keep my job–which supports my reason for calling her. But God.

I quit.

Yep! I upped and quit. No notice. No call. No thought. No heads up– I just did it. I finally told God “You Win, let’s do this.” That day I ended up quitting, I ended up landing a big sale at my job. My luck right? In order to obtain the sale, I would have to go back to work for that month or so. Well, a win wouldn’t be anything without a test from God to make sure you really want it right? I was so confused and overwhelmed by frustration. Do I go back to work and collect the money or trust what God has planned for me will come into fruition well over this amount? I took a risk, I embraced my faith, and I decided to trust Him 100% in this journey.

Here I am a year and months later, a successful full-time owner and lead designer of The Knotable Digital Creative Agency, Ltd. Liability Co. working with public relation firms, branding and marketing agencies, small businesses, non-profits, public figures, celebrities, plus more creating and helping sustain notable brands.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Anything in life will always come with its challenges, but often times you’ll learn how to discern which are worth fighting for. Two things I’ve learned or struggled with are: 1) wanting things to happen in the order they appear in my head and 2) trying to be superwoman and do it all on my own lacking sleep, boundaries, and the ability to say “no!”

For those women who are starting their entrepreneurial journey, know that you cannot do it alone. Know that it is okay to seek help, guidance, and to open the room for opinions, both good and bad, by trusted individuals. It has never been a successful person in history who has made it without the help of one or more persons. Understand that you don’t always have to have it together or be the smartest person in the room, you don’t always have to have the top media outlets to bring value or attention to your craft, and you don’t always have to have a detailed plan together to start. You just have to have the passion to just start and keep going.

Eventually, you’ll find media outlets coming to you, talented individuals wanting to be a part of your journey, and your plan starting to become clearer than what you initially wrote down. When it does happen, embrace it! Accept that help. Listen to that advice. Forget that plan not happening how you want it to happen. It’s all for the greater good! Just trust it, but also know it’s okay to say “No.” “No, I can’t take this on at the moment” “No, this isn’t the right opportunity.” Don’t find yourself saying “yes’ to everything that seems to come in a form of opportunity or cash. All money isn’t good money.

If you don’t walk away knowing anything, know that everyone’s journey and struggles are different, in addition to, the solutions that they’ve found to overcome the problems they’ve faced are too. Don’t be afraid to walk a different path because it doesn’t seem like the one your idol has walked. They can both lead to a successful path. You may have more bumps than she may, but it’s okay! Embrace your journey. Love and learn through YOUR process. Be that trailblazer that God has called you to be and follow Him.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Knotable Digital Creative Agency – what should we know?
The Knotable Digital Creative Agency is known as the central creative hub for millennials and small to medium-sized minority business owners who seek affordable, high-quality branding and creative services. We are a business who understands the cost of start-up and the amount of energy it takes to create and maintain a business, event, or product, therefore, we choose to offer an arrange of creative services that meet the creative and financial needs of those who have chosen the toughest, yet most rewarding route–entrepreneurship.

We offer the following:

– Logo Design
– Web Design
– Print Marketing (Flyers, Brochures, Business Cards, etc.)
– Social Media Branding
– Album Packaging Design
– Media/Press Kits
– Apparel/Merchandise Design
– Book Cover Design
– Branding Consultations

Plus more!

We are most proud to provide opportunities to minorities who wish to create impact within their communities and the world through providing affordable and high-quality creative services that allow them to put the focus back on their purpose and not so much into their budget. Our company wishes to build a world of young visionary leaders who inspire to live in their purpose, invest in their own business, and innovate successful brands without fear. That includes having that big branding budget just to get your business started.

The Knotable Digital Creative Agency is a business that does not solely focus on recognition for themselves, but for their clients. Our aim is to make your business notable, not us. Therefore, we provide opportunities for other businesses to brand our creative services as their own so that they can be able to provide more opportunities for their clientele. We are just merely a vessel to help your business become the greatest it can be!

In addition to, we offer event sponsorship for businesses or individuals who seek branding and creative services for events that align with our mission and promote the professional and personal development of young millennials, educate youth, and promote technology, art, and entrepreneurship. In exchange, we provide creative services to help brand and advertise their event for free!

Which women have inspired you in your life?
The women who have inspired me in my life would have to first be my mother, Charita Johnson. She may have not made all the right decisions in life, however, she taught me the art of perseverance. She taught me how to keep my head high despite failures or my shortcomings and to keep pushing even when days you want to quit and cry. My mother has endured the most struggle, however, each day she finds the energy to keep pressing forward and toward better days.

Secondly, is Tierra Belser-Franklin, she is the reason which led me to pursue the sorority Sigma Gamma Rho, which has been a blessing within itself, and help light the fire in me to serve, lead, and follow God. Her aura and spirit are contagious, and she has always been a woman that has and continues to inspire me in faith, leadership, and in myself since college. There wasn’t one person who didn’t know who she was. She was involved in the community, church, and on campus. The mark she left was one that I had aspired to leave. Every time I’m asked the question “Who inspires me?”, Tierra is always a name that I will mention, because of this passion, this fire all started from my admiration of hers.

The third person would have to be the award-winning multimedia journalist, Jelisa Cook. We share the same ups and downs both in our personal and professional journey. She has been my ‘go-to’ person for all things business. I have often found myself pushing and guiding others with no one to help and push me to get my business to where it needs to go, and God placed her in my life at the right time. She has provided me with opportunities that have led to more opportunities that I will always be grateful for! My business is where it is now because of friends like Jelisa. She has been one of my key advocates and friends that I can count on to always be in my corner. The strength she possesses to do what she does inspires me to continue to walk into ‘who Knyra is’ without fear or question!

Last, but could never be least, would have to be Rasheeda Liberty. She is my leadership crush Wednesday–does that exist? It does now, haha. She is one of those mentors who has always spoken life into me, pushed me out of fear and into the woman I am now. With a couple of taps on my hand, she has always inspired me to want more and do more. She exudes leadership, represents what an ethical, savvy, and passionate woman in business look like, and her ability to just ‘go for it’ amazes me. Though we may be into two different categories of business, her focus, passion, and ability to inspire her team and those around her will always inspire me to pour into my soon-to-be team of The Knotable Agency and to be a beacon of light to those around me!

Pricing:

• Logo Design starting at $75
• Flyer Design $45
• Web Design Starting at $450
• Social Media Branding starting at $25
• Media Kits $95
• Book Cover Design starting at $75
• Free 15- Minute Clarity Call Consultations

Contact Info:

• Website: www.knotabledesigns.com
• Email: info@knotabledesigns or [email protected]
• Instagram: @knotableagency
• Facebook: @knotableagency
• Twitter: @knotableagency

Image Credit:
Day’ton Capers of D. Boss Photography

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