Check Out Kim Strings’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Strings.

Hi Kim, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story has unpopular layers I have tried to hide from the world, as they are foundational and not a part of most people’s common & relatable experience. I have found sharing my triumphs creates an inspiring space for others to relate to, rather than leaving one with the idea of a circumstance I wound up being in. Hi! My name is Kim Strings. I am a powerful woman. This is a story of intention and celebration. A story of how shifting and altering the context of your way of being in life will shift your mood and motivations. If I were a poker player, I’d say: “Life dealt me an unfavorable hand, but the players would never know b/c I’m still winning the game!” People who know me, would definitely place all bets on me! I do not carry or allude to a stigma. Instead, I embody resilience. I do what my name says in its acronym. I am Keeping It Moving.
I am blessed to know and discover that both of my parents are still alive and well even though I did not grow up with them. Per my foster mother’s instruction and inspiration, may She rest in peace, I am intentionally seeking to create healthy relationships with both of them as an adult. It’s a unique dynamic of having a say in how parent and child grow together. After graduating from Georgia State University with a BA in Arts & Science and living a little life, I moved in with my mother, at 26. I’d had a loving foster mother I’d known since I was 8. She encouraged me to freely express myself. So It was an adjustment to discover their parenting styles were different. I discovered my deep love for my mother. I spent many years developing myself by fulfilling my internal needs. One way was traveling to visit family discovering my roots.
I found connections on my mother’s side, but April 23, 2021 at 38, I found my father. For my birthday, 2 months later, in June, I was knocking on his door. It’s been weird, surprising, and unfamiliar to see people who look JUST like me. People who have my toes, nose, and even have my whole face. WHAT! I have a new respect for genetics! I have similar personality traits and so may dots get connected of why I am the way I am. Being different was something I learned to accept and stand on. But now, I’d found the rest of my tribe! Mechanical things come easy for me like teaching a swim class of 20 adults how to swim in a hour or my foster mother suggesting and trusting me to install all new windows in the house at age 14. I was different. In that initial conversation with my dad, I learned he is a master mechanic. “This is my Daddy!”, I said to myself with confidence. My grandfather was also master mechanic and taught him. My gut feelings and ancestry.com were not enough for my dad as he was in shock. He didn’t know I existed. I had my personal Maury experience like they say “You ARE the Father!” Seeing myself in my aunties and cousins is wild! Sometimes I didn’t see the resemblance, but the picture proved to be a thousand words. (See attached pictures or check out my social media)
Currently, I am looking for the first foster family I grew up with from several months old until age 6. They were a musical family. They are the reason I love music at my core. I remember being in the basement-music studio just being a kid and trying to turn the pegs on a guitar that sat in the corner while the adults were hanging out and making music. My mother loved me so much that she kept me during our visitation instead of taking me back to them. I am excited around the idea of reconnecting with them. It’s a great possibility as I have realized so many already. I just may have that J-card up my sleeve. I give all praise to God for the favor and miraculous works and blessings over my life as I have been getting my cards in order. This road has seasoned me to be an artist revealing my royal flush in due time.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My value systems are a little different. I’ve valued friendship over family, choosing my family from my circle of friends. My definition of friendship is loyalty, like it would be for family. I am still friends with my besties from the 6th grade Latoya and Tia. What I am discovering in the world, is some people have their own interests at heart and some friends are not family. Reorganizing how I relate to peers and how I relate in doing business has me take a step back at times. This is the real world and I have been adjusting my perspectives on a lot of structures.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Even through my personal quests, I continue honing my musical skills and building business relationships. My work is providing an inviting, complimentary environment for any occasion, any mood or any setting. Providing guests with an experience far exceeding their expectations. I am passionate about music! We musicians strive to be like singers and when I play, the listener can hear the words. They jump up and sign along and we sing together on an enlightening journey. I perform jazz, R&B, contemporary, and alternative music at weddings, lunches, brunches, dinners, birthdays, anniversary, funerals and even comedy shows and fashion shows. Word of mouth has been how I book my gigs and I am grateful to all who have referred me. Thank You!
My next step is creating my live album, recording music that’s originally different and unique. Stay tuned!

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Community is everything! I learned this marketing equation, I believe, is gold:

Success = The # of Relationships X The Quality of Relationships.

It applies to both terms/sides. If you have the means/funds to truly promote to the masses, then the quality of relationships can be low and success is definitely viable with the number of relationships being high. I opted for impacting the quality of relationships. I chose to start with the relationship with myself. How can I be available to serve others and I am not fulfilled for myself? Reminds me of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The second way is slow, but feels more stable to me, Choose what works for you!

Pricing:

• $600 – 1 hour and 3o minutes of play
• $400 – 1 hour of violin playing time
• $325 – 45 minutes of violin playing time
• 250 – 30 minutes of violin playing time
• $175 – 15 minutes of violin playing time

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kimstringsmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimstringsmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimstringsmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kimstrings

Image Credits
Photos by Bob Mackey Photography
Lisa Harris Photography