Today we’d like to introduce you to Knakeesha Samuels.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Knakeesha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My background is in hospitality, I started out working in hotels doing everything from bar management, banquets, event operations, and even conference management. I left corporate America four years ago after I felt that leadership had failed me and was beginning to stifle the growth and direction of where I wanted to go.
I initially started my company – Karisma after, I left a job in New Orleans, which was one of the worst experiences in my life. I dealt with racism, sexism, ageism, you name it. After that experience, I wanted to create something that was all my own so that other people could no longer dictate the success of my career.
After that position, I ended up in Orlando, FL. I made a series of career decisions in the hospitality field that had me on the upward track to higher management. Luckily, I kept working on my business, continued networking, learning, and building it on the backend. After two years of rapid career advancement, I took one position that was supposed to be the catapult and ended up being my downfall. Within a matter of months, I was let go and pushed out of a position that I had basically wanted my entire career.
After that, I vowed to stand on my own two feet with my business, I continued to work part-time but my real focus became my business. I started building my book of paid clients with event management while volunteering my time to mentors and teaching myself skills that I saw most event professionals lacked – graphic design, web design, digital marketing, email marketing, and more. I got the opportunity to work as a lead planner for music conferences that had speakers like Kevin Gates & Keith Clinkscales. I eventually decided to go full time three years ago, it only went up from there. I was able to serve on the board of the NFL Alumni for two years as their Events & Marketing Advisory Chair. I work with a Real Estate Magazine that has allowed me to plan events in seven major cities. I’ve planned charity galas & fashion shows in New York. The opportunities really opened up for me when I went all in.
I took the oppression I felt while working in corporate America and channeled it into two projects:
How To Run In Heels – A women empowerment group that uplifts and recognizes women for not only achieving great things professionally but for being authentic women who help other women climb.
&
Black Friday Orlando – A Juneteenth Scavenger Hunt Event (now annual) that highlights all of the Black Owned Businesses in Orlando. It had over 60+ businesses participating and over 1400+ attendees taking place citywide. The story even got picked up by six local news stations. Now, I plan to share my expertise and talents internationally. For the remainder of 2020, I will be living in Turkey, Tanzania, and Mexico, running my business 100% virtually and documenting the journey on my blog – @incognitaexpates
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?
Not at all, I have been underestimated a lot. Being a young, black female, I had so many people doubt that I could take on large projects or really start my own company and stand on my own two feet. I remember when I got my position with the NFL Alumni, a well-known promoter in Central Florida spoke negatively about me to people in our mutual circles because he himself was passed up for the role. Being a Black woman, I constantly have to prove myself in this business, especially in a business where I work with mostly men.
I do not come from a wealthy family nor are there many business owners in my immediate surroundings. I learned everything from scratch. My parents weren’t particularly supportive when I started out. I had to show them what was possible at first. I also recall right after I quit my job a few years back, a major hurricane hit Orlando. Every event I had in the 4th quarter got canceled. That was the biggest financial blow I ever faced. It took me a solid six months to really bounce back. It was rough.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Karisma Branding & Event Agency – what should we know?
At Karisma Branding & Events, we create EXPERIENCES! An event is not just an event. A brand isn’t just a brand. These investments are an introduction to who our clients are and what their businesses stand for. We specialize in building events, brands, and campaigns that strengthen the company’s identities with their consumer. What sets us apart is we’re an agency, we can get you A – Z services for what you need. No talking to 100 vendors or contractors about one project. We interface with you from the design to execution and everything in between.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Creativity – I’ve always been able to see things from different angles and bring them together in a way that makes sense.
Contact Info:
- Website: KarismaEvents.co
- Phone: 4072366469
- Email: karismaevp@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/
karismaevents - Instagram: instagram.com/howto
runinheels - Instagram: instagram.com/incog
nitaexpats - Facebook: facebook.com/
karismaeventco
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