Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiara Stokes.
Hi Kiara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I’ve always been a creative person, whether it be via my talent for poetry/spoken word or my knack for DIY projects. When you add in my love for design and shopping, interior design just came easy to me. It became an outlet for my creative expression. I also believe it was a gift passed down to me from my mom because growing up she always had my sister and I helping her decorate or build something around the house. She was always moving, redecorating or changing something, and every room had a theme. It’s funny because at the time, I hated it, but now I love it and can feel myself following in her footsteps. My mom’s extravagant designs made our house feel like home. I loved being in my room because it was decorated as a depiction of me. It was my sanctuary and it relaxed me. Over the years, I made it my goal for every environment I lived in to provide me with this same feeling of peace and comfort, whether it was my college dorm, apartment or now my home. It always amazed me how back in the day, other students barely had decor in their dorms or furniture in their apartments, yet mine was always fully loaded. From art on the walls, rugs and throw pillows to little trinkets on bookshelves and nightstands. I remember a friend of mine telling me that he loved hanging out at my house because it reminded him of home. To me, that was the biggest compliment because it meant my apartment provided comfort and a feeling of safety.
For years I pushed my talent for interior design to the back burner for a more realistic and dependable career; medicine. My fear of failure and the unknown hindered me from venturing out to start my own business. I settled for just occasionally designing the homes of family and friends, and of course constantly changing the interior of my own home. People always told me that I had a gift, but again, fear wouldn’t let me explore it. It wasn’t until recently when I lost a close friend unexpectedly due to Covid 19 that things started to change. After her death, I decided to help her husband redesign their new home as my way of helping him cope and start a new beginning. After transforming his home, he was filled with so much gratitude and appreciation. He told me that it was the first time since her death that he actually loved being in his home. He told me that my design made a difference. That in itself was the greatest feeling to know that I was able to help him love his house again. After that, he called me and asked me “How much money do I need to give to invest into Kiara’s Design & Aesthetics.” I was so shocked and caught off guard, not only because he had basically created the name of my company that had yet to exist, but also because he had literally just spoke life into me. He told me that when God speaks, you listen; and next thing I knew I was getting a Zelle notification for a payment that I didn’t ask for. At that moment, I knew that God was using him to speak to me and tell “ be not afraid, but trust in him”…and I did. This realization came at the right moment, and right after a loss, to let me know that life is too short not to try. I figured if someone could have enough faith in my talent to selflessly invest in me, then I could have enough faith in God and myself to take the leap in entrepreneurship. So that same day, I took the money he gave me and created Kiara’s Design & Aesthetics, LLC. with the name that God gave him for me.
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?
The road has definitely not been smooth, but it hasn’t been impossible either. Just like with any service dealing with people, it has its up and downs. But, I’ve honestly had more ups than downs; and for that I’m grateful. There are so many different facets to owning a business that I’m still getting accustomed to. However, I would say my biggest struggle has been just learning to navigate through this new journey of entrepreneurship and being ok with making mistakes, as long as I learn from them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Psychiatric Mental Health.
As far as what sets me apart from others, I can’t speak on anyone else’s testimony, but my journey to this point was definitely one of hardship yet triumph. From being in a verbally and emotionally abusive relationship to suffering through a high-risk pregnancy, Hyperemesis Gravidarum and multiple hospitalizations while in nursing school, yet still graduating. Then going on to complete my Master and postmaster certifications while being a single mother and working full-time.
I am most proud of this accomplishment because I succeeded despite all adversity that was meant to hinder me. I proved to my son that you can do anything that you put your mind to; and what God has for you, nothing the devil sends can block it.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
According to my family, I was a very vivacious and inquisitive child; and always into something. I was extremely smart, and if you ask them “too much for my own good” because it got me into trouble 99% of the time. I asked a ton of questions yet thought I knew all the answers, and if I didn’t know, I would bug them until they gave me one. I loved science, and unlike most kids my age, I preferred to watch discovery health channel, Labor & delivery shows, & anything dealing with medical documentaries. I was a straight bookworm, and to this day, I love to read and can do so for hours. Per my mom, I’m a complete nerd. But on the other hand, I was also an athlete and tomboy for most of my life. I played any sport I could get my hands on, from soccer to volleyball, with football being my passion. I guess you can say I was a good balance between a geek and a jock.
Contact Info:
- Email: Kiarasdna@gmail.com
- Website: Kiarasdesignandaesthetics.com
- Instagram: Kiaras_dna
- Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM87bkrf4/
