Today we’d like to introduce you to Katara Phelps.
Katara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Wow! Where do I begin… well, I started with the inspiration of my lovely mother. Growing up in a single parent home witnessing this hard-working woman, there was always a smile but I could only imagine the amount of stress she was under. At the age of seven, I decided to enroll myself in dance… LOL! You’re wondering how can a seven-year-old sign herself up for dance. Well, it was easy, there was a dance studio directly across the street from our house, a lost and found chest with dancers clothes and shoes and welp a very ambitious little girl. After the first week, no one said anything so I continued to show. Until one day, the owner gave me a sealed envelope and ask me to give to my parents. I wasn’t sure what the letter said, but mom’s face screwed up and she sends me to class a check. From this day, I never stop, I could never forget seeing the photo of Judith Jamison on the wall, that infamous photo on that wall.
Throughout the years, I continued to dance, myself, my niece and my childhood best friend would meet up every weekend and have a Dance/Choreography Contests. Creating dance became like a daily tool for me. Generating ideas, exploring ideas and creating the movement and steps. I stepped away from dance and somehow got sucked into the marketing world, my ideas and concepts became broader and more creative, taking advantage of my Caribbean background. I created my Entertainment Company MasXpressions, an entertainment company that does everything such as; Artist Development, Creative Direction, Dance Education, and much more.
Great, 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?
If I said the road was easy, I might not be here sharing my story. I can say it was interesting and I would never change any experience or challenges I faced. The hardest thing for me to overcome was gaining support from everyone I expect to get it from. For years, I sat and sat and waited, FOR WHAT! Just so someone can give me a shut out or a repost on social media. I had to regroup and ask myself why am I doing this, and who am I doing this for. MasXpressions started as a Caribbean Mas Band in Atlanta, GA. The idea was for college students that couldn’t afford the expensive costumes, I then broaden and begin developing upcoming artist that did not know where to go, or what was next. Many people would tell me I am involved in too much but it was what I wanted to do. I say those things to say this, I never stop! I stop caring about who saw me and how did not. Whenever you decide to start your business and pursue your calling have a purpose and know what and why you’re doing. Jot it down and whenever you feel discouraged, go back to that note and SMILE! “YOU GOT THIS.” 🙂
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am Property Coordinator/Event Mgr for a huge lodging company. When I am off the clock, I am teaching Dance at a local studio and/or working behind the scene on some of your favorite events. I think just this along sets me apart, be multi-talented and being positive and having fun with it. I have been in the Customer Service Field for 16 years now and I would say that helps me tremendously to deal with multiple things, situations, and different people.
I like to call myself the Renaissance Woman. I am well educated, sophisticated and I have talents and knowledge of many fields.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Absolutely! There are a ton of experiences that have to mold me into the woman I am today. Numerous times I have been told exactly how my life would be. That wasn’t the life God created or what I wanted. I was always able to turn negativity into positive. I guess I can agree on that my diverse childhood allowed me to see things from a different perspective and because of that I never settled or allowed those words to get the best of me.
Contact Info:
- Website: masxpressions.com
- Phone: (470) 242 – 6279
- Email: masxpressions@gmail.com
- Instagram: @_every1luvskat @masxpressions
Image Credit:
Natey Nukez, D.Newman, B.Alexander, 365 Carnival
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