Daily Inspiration: Meet Karen Baxter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Baxter.

Hi Karen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After a particularly hectic season in business, I turned to crafting to release some stress and tension. It helped and I was hooked! I started my business NiKai Designs and never looked back. After successfully running my handmade business for over 8+ years, I realized that my 25+ years of successful entrepreneurship gave me an edge. The knowledge and experience I had helped me create a strong and thriving business. However, after pulling from my experience as a million-dollar producer in real estate, reaching top positions in the network marketing industry and successfully growing and running profitable businesses, I realized that although some business principles are the same, the business of crafting has some distinct differences.

I began sharing my knowledge during my regular live broadcasts on social media and those quickly turned into motivational sessions with my audience. Once I began to get reports of breakthroughs, successes and gratitude from my viewers, I realized that my unique take on crafting and business could help many more. That is when Ms. Creative CEO was born. I am now a recognized empowerment coach and mindset mentor in the craft community. I teach aspiring and seasoned creative entrepreneurs to hone their skills and how to apply fundamental business principles and techniques to grow a thriving business and empower their lives using their creative gifts. I find that my willingness to be open and transparent about my journey and personal challenges inspires others to have the courage to make real changes in their lives.

These changes lead to them empowering themselves and they gain the type of strength that changes generations. I facilitate these experiences in my thriving online communities. I am also a Michaels Stores National Instructor. Even though these are great achievements, my greatest achievement is being the proud mother of son Kyle, daughter Niya and Glamma to my grand-princess Saniyah. I believe that my mission is to empower women to thrive through creativity. I believe that women have the power to rise through any adversity. Sometimes they just need someone to remind them of who they are and that their gifts are worthy. Then show them how to use the gifts they have to take their businesses out of the back room, into the boardroom and straight to the bank!

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?
Nope! A big one was not being understood. Being a creative entrepreneur is a little more complex in many ways. Because you are making something from your heart and soul, it is an extension of you. That makes you way more sensitive. It can bring up a lot of feelings that you would rather not deal with. So dealing with those feelings of fear and inadequacy was tough. You have to dig deep and root out all of that negative thinking so that you can move forward and win. A major thing creatives deal with is imposter syndrome. Conquering that has been and sometimes still is tough. But understanding the impact that I have had and seeing the results of my showing up consistently has helped me to push past it. When I feel like that, I just look at the people that I have impacted and see the truth. Another challenge was staying faithful to my vision when I was BROKE! LOL! That was tough but I’m thankful for it because I know what I am capable of now. I had to push through even in times of distress. The loss of my father was devastating but it was also the thing that helped me find my purpose. My passion is crafting but my purpose is to empower women through creativity.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an empowerment coach, mindset mentor and the crafter’s business bestie. I teach women how to get out of their own way and level up their mindset. I help them take their business out of the backroom into the boardroom so they can take it to the bank! I break down high-level corporate ideas and strategies into easy-to-digest pieces so that crafters can really create a viable business. I am a crafter and an entrepreneur at heart. I understand the unique challenges that a crafter turned entrepreneur has to deal with. I help them navigate the rough terrain on their journey. I am different because I lead with love from my heart and positive energy. I make it a point to really connect with my followers. I believe in edification and positive reinforcement above technical skills.

Many of my followers have been in non-supportive environments. In order to counteract that they need to be in an environment that supports and edifies them daily. I can teach you all the technical stuff but if you don’t believe you can do it, what is the point? I have created a thriving community that does this. That is what I am most proud of in my business. With the help of my team, who I affectionately call the Board of Directors, I have created a group that is as some of my members call it, “a soft place to land.” It is an oasis for my members to come and be themselves without judgment and get the help and support they need. It is a sisterhood. The vibe of the community has given my members the strength and courage to make significant life long changes in their lives and by extension their businesses. To see them break free of the chains that have held them for years and take that strength along with their talent and make money for themselves is the best feeling. To see a woman take control of her life and thrive is a gift.

What matters most to you? Why?
My faith is the most important thing to me. It guides me in all that I do. It has made me who I am and gives me the strength to do the work I do. Also, leaving a legacy of love and support for others. It matters to me that I give back to others because so much has been given to me. I love to see others succeed and grow. When I look back on my body of work, it’s not going to be the money I’ve made or the things that I have that bring me joy and pride. It’s the impact that I have had on people’s lives. It is important that my children and granddaughter see me as a champion for myself, them and others.

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@mscreativeceo.com
• Website: www.MsCreativeCEO.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mscreativeceo
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/mscreativeceo
  https://www.facebook.com/groups/creativebosscollective
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KarenBaxter