You Only Go Once (Y.O.G.O.)
Cheryl and Eileen explore different topics around the limited time we have on this earth to create a fully layered life. Because...You Only Go Once!
You Only Go Once (Y.O.G.O.)
Dressing with Impact Kendria Godair's Inspired Journey
The moment Kendria Godair stepped into the studio, her vibrant energy was palpable, a sensation that's only magnified in her Dria Dair lifestyle brand. This episode captures Kendria's fearless journey from the familiarity of a North Carolina storefront to the bold, sunlit horizons of Phoenix, Arizona, all while navigating the tumultuous retail landscapes of a global pandemic. Her story is one of resilience and reinvention, inspired by her father's fashion finesse and underscored by an entrepreneurial spirit that thrives on the thrill of risk and the sweetness of success.
Our heart-to-heart with Kendria is a celebration of life's pivotal "this is happening" moments that beckon for change—like the leap of faith I took after 30 years in North Carolina. We unfurl the ways the pandemic has shaken people awake, inciting them to declutter their lives, master new skills, and chase their dreams with fervor. As we traverse the tale of Arizona's magnetic pull, we unpack the power of trusting one's instincts to guide life-changing decisions, admiring the beauty that emerges from the brave choices we make.
Fashion is a dance of self-expression, a message resonating throughout our conversation about the evolving Dria Dair brand. From its youthful beginnings to a mature focus on quality and a broader demographic, Kendria's approach to fashion is all about empowering individuals to dress with confidence and joy. We thread in tales of giving back, from the inception of 'A Human Mission' charity initiatives to clothing drives spreading across states, igniting a call to action for listeners to weave their own paths of positive change into the fabric of their lives. Join us for an episode that stitches together the essence of living boldly, embracing growth, and crafting a purpose-driven existence, all through the lens of inspired fashion.
Hello, hello, hello and welcome back to you. Only Go Once. I'm here with my magnanimous friend, eileen Grimes, who is also my co-host. I'm Cheryl Cantafio and today we're here with a fantastic guest, eileen, kick us off.
Speaker 2:Thank you, cheryl. Dria Dare is a lifestyle brand that emphasizes being as comfortable in your clothes as you are stylish. It caters to the modern-day woman with everything from gym clothes to cocktail dresses. It was founded in a small town of Grand North Carolina, but its fashion brings you a big city feel. The founder, kendria Godaire, was born and raised in North Carolina, but in 2020, closed her brick-and-mortar store, picked up her business and family and relocated to Phoenix, arizona. She's a mother, speaker, motivator, friend and fashionista.
Speaker 2:Kendria inspires modern-day women that dare to think they can have it all, to leave behind what society has told them they should be and define their own paths. Yes, dria Dare has been active for close to 10 years and has evolved with Kendria throughout that time. Dria Dare has recently branched into the charity world Ooh, I'm excited to hear about this with the nonprofit a human mission with the goal being not just to sell clothes, but clothes people in need. Giving back to the community is a core focus, while reminding them to be bold, brave and unapologetically themselves. Welcome, welcome, welcome. How are we doing this?
Speaker 3:evening. I'm doing great.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much yeah it's so great to have you and I will say we were talking before we started recording and, like I said, I already have some items in my cart from the site, because the two-piece jogger and crop set look like the most comfortable thing in the entire world.
Speaker 3:So it definitely is Like because I, I, the older I get, I want to be very comfortable Like. I want to be stylish always, but I need to be comfortable at all times.
Speaker 2:Yep, no, totally agree. And especially after motherhood, there's just something about being very okay, being comfortable. That is important, yeah. After babies, for me it was like, look, this shirt is going to get spit up on it Like I don't even know, why I try.
Speaker 3:Right? No, I totally get that. Definitely, I have two kids, so my son is 14, and my daughter is seven, and so I mean I still want to be all things fashion like all the time. But like I don't want things tied on my waist, I don't want things scratchy on my skin, I just I want to be comfortable at the same time. So I try to make these two things as important as one another and I love all of that.
Speaker 2:So just going back, so what? What inspired this? Where? Where did this come from? For you has has fashion always been something that has sort of tugged on your heart and been something you knew you were always going to be a part of.
Speaker 3:I'm not sure I would say like I knew I was always going to be part of it. But was it always a part of me? Yeah, a little bit. So in my household my dad was the shopper, Like my dad's super fly all the time, Like he has the best collared shirts he has, like the dopest shoes, and he, when my dad steps out into the city he looks fly and fresh all the time. So like presenting himself very, you know, stylish was always a part of him. Yeah, and I think I always liked that about him. I always admired that. So was it always kind of there? Yeah, a little bit. I think being, I think being running my own business, I think was more. What was always a part of me too? Yeah, it was more about like I want to work for myself. How am I going to do that? What is going to be the method of transportation to have me do that?
Speaker 2:Yeah, totally, and I mean so. I've done many things in my lifetime. I was a high school teacher for a little bit high school math teacher at that time and I worked as an administrative assistant and worked in corporate and for me. Yeah, I just like the freedom of like I do consulting and stuff now and I there's something about the freedom of choice. The freedom of creating the world that I want to be in and that I want to create for others is so empowering and that feels like sort of what what your vibe is overall and just how you approach life.
Speaker 3:Yeah, absolutely Like. You get all of the responsibility, so if it goes wrong, you know, terrible, that's on you. Yeah, if it goes great and you do, well, that's on you. And I'm fine with both Like yeah, definitely.
Speaker 2:So when did you so? Obviously it's been your view and been running for 10 years, which is holy moly, congratulations. That's amazing. I mean it is, it really is. And to obviously then have made it through the pandemic Also within that, yeah, that was a trial, yeah. How? Oh for sure.
Speaker 3:Yeah. So I had a brick and mortar for five years and then the pandemic hit and I'm like what's happening? And North Carolina was very strict Just the way, you know, gives a like state by state depending on how strict it was. So North Carolina was like super strict and they made all the small businesses closed down Some places. I guess they wouldn't make them pay rent. Where I was at, I was still paying rent even though I was closed.
Speaker 3:And so, like two months and three months, and I'm like forget this, yeah, doing this anymore. And also I had two or three months to sit there and like, twiddle my thumbs and be like, hmm, is this really what I want to do? Because I hadn't been doing it for so long that it kind of consumed me. I felt like, and I had time to sit there and be like, oh my God, I could do something else, like I'm not married to this, like I could go somewhere else, I could do something else and my will start turning and by, like you know, into month two, I'm like I'm out of here.
Speaker 3:Yeah, like I always wanted to move, I've always wanted to do something different, and I kind of felt excited, though I'm like this is an opportunity for me to like scratch it all and completely start over and do something new. And I know Phoenix is like a weird choice, but I had always wanted to move here, like I just always felt called to here, I don't know, and so I was like this is my opportunity. I could move my store online and if it doesn't work, the worst thing is, I move back home. What's the worst thing that can happen? I just moved back. It's been one of my favorite decisions like that I ever made. Yeah.
Speaker 2:And it's I mean so it's so interesting and I'm not saying that people quit Like the pandemic was a whole other ballgame of businesses hitting literally the wall of what they could withstand and what they could really just be able to do from a financial perspective and all of those things. And those that were able to pivot, those that were able to find a way, there is something. So my sister-in-law owns a gym and like they're still up and running. They went through so many iterations of like, well, let's try this and let's go this route. I think that there is something about business owners and entrepreneurs that are able to withstand some.
Speaker 2:I mean, this was obviously a way bigger hurdle than anyone could have ever imagined going into any business or being a parent or I mean literally anything in the world at that point, right. But yeah, is that something you think you've developed over time? Is that a piece of who you are, that this just kind of look? I don't know how this is going to work, but I'm going to figure it out and I will make the path.
Speaker 3:So one of my best friends, one time we were talking and she was like, well, you're a figure it out, and like there's like no term for that, and I'm like yes.
Speaker 3:I am, I'm a figure it out. So it's funny because when I do these talks, especially with modern day wife on the panel, one of my biggest things is pivot. Yeah, like you have to be able to pivot because things are not going to continue to go one way for that long. Like you have to be able to pivot. I pivoted so many times and I will keep pivoting and I'm okay with that. Like I'm going to roll with the punches and I'm going to keep going and so, yeah, I think that is a part of who I am I'm a figure it out or whatever that means, and I'm always a play with pivoting and in change kind of excites me a little bit.
Speaker 2:Same. You and I are connected. On that one Trust me. Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1:I've always been a big admirer of people that can just get up and move. So I've worked with a few people that have moved from different countries to be here, or vice versa. They've moved from here to another country just because it's like you know what my life is not here, I'm going over there. I'm still debating as to whether or not I want to move from one county to another. So, like I said, I always admire people that have that spirit in them.
Speaker 3:But hey, I lived in North Carolina for 30 years 31, whatever and that was all I knew. And now I just think like I should have done it before that. Why did I wait so long? But so I'm not just saying like, oh, I'm a pick up and move type of person. That was like a big thing for me. But now I could be that person because I can see how, like what if you got to lose a little bit.
Speaker 1:Sure, sure, and why not? And certainly during the time of the pandemic too, I saw a lot of people just going. You know what? I'm going to move? I'm going to clean out my house, or I'm going to learn how to like do a new skill, and also I'm sick of corporate America and I'm moving on to like my passion project. Right, there was, there was all of that, but I want to come back to the travel a little bit, because you said I don't know, I've always felt drawn to Arizona. Had you traveled there before? Okay, Okay.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 3:I traveled a lot in general. My parents, they like love to travel and they traveled all over the US and in the world. So I came to Arizona the first time I was like 12. Okay, and it was a funny story. I actually hated it because it was so hot. Oh yeah, my dad got lost. We were out in downtown and we got lost and so I'm like sweating and I thought I was dying and I was like anybody that chooses to live in the desert is crazy, and they always remind me of that. Now they're like oh, you remember when you said that?
Speaker 2:Yep, I do, yes, I do.
Speaker 3:And then I ended up coming back here several times in my early 20s and then I just liked the vibe. I just thought it was different and I was like I like these people. It wasn't completely LA, so it wasn't like that scene, but it was like somewhere in the middle and I liked it. Fun, and I still get that from it when I came back here now. So I came in 2020 and, oh my gosh, now I have such a great group of friends. There's a great group of creatives here and I met the coolest people here in the city in the fashion industry and everything. So it's been a great move for me.
Speaker 2:That's fantastic, you know, when you go through this, one of the things that I don't know we talk about, too, is just the sort of like self reflection piece of it. So it sounds like, even through your life, do you, do you take the time to like practice, listening to your gut, like this kind of that kind of a move is not, yes, you can do it on a whim, but there's something that's telling you that that's the right thing to do. Like, do you have any kind of self reflective practice or anything like that that you've used? Or listening to the choices, or anything along those lines?
Speaker 3:I don't know if I would call it like a self reflective practice, that is, that we call that's a good term.
Speaker 3:I don't know that term necessarily. I do like listen to my gut, a lot like. So I think some of my best decisions I have made in like instinctively, like like on the edge. You know, like even when I got my store, I was 2526, I was pregnant and I was like I'm getting by, buying a store, like I'm going to buy a storefront, and people are like you want to slow down with that, like let's hold on to that idea until you give birth and and so that was like my one of my first like very quick decisions I think it's the same way with moving here was a very snap decision. I've made some of my best decisions as snap decisions. They seem like they just come from my gut and I intuitively say no, you know, I'm doing this, I don't care what everyone else says, I'm doing this thing whenever I feel it deep in my gut, my heart, whatever you want to call it, whatever the case would be.
Speaker 2:So, as someone who has, who often ignored the gut and went, you know, like, well, everyone else tells me I'm supposed to do this and the supposed to, supposed to, supposed to, right, I got used to not listening to it. So I am on the reverse side of that now. I'm like, okay, I have to take a minute to say okay, what, what does my gut actually saying versus what is the logic, brain, the social influence, all of those pieces. I am in awe of people that are just like no, I immediately I know this and it's happening, and so I. That's incredible that you have that.
Speaker 3:You don't really know, right it's just a game, totally yes yeah, you're, you're at that moment. You're just completely being a gambler like it's gamble. Both times it could have gone horribly wrong. You know what I mean. So it wasn't like I know. I was like I'm pretty sure that I'm doing it, you know what. I mean, but like it could have gone wrong and I acknowledge that also.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, and yeah, I mean gosh, who knows? Is there a good way to do it? Who knows, then, right, everything's, every possibility has endless consequences that we never know of.
Speaker 3:So but I do think and I do like to encourage, like, what do I say when I'm talking? A lot of times? I'm here to encourage you and your shenanigans. Like whatever that we only live one time.
Speaker 1:Yes, right.
Speaker 3:Like that was my thing when I was like, moving here, I'm like I'm not going to live. I'm 30 rates at the time, so I'm like I've always wanted to move to Phoenix. This is my little window. I feel like. I feel like I can see it. I'm going to take it. I'm going to move right now and I do encourage that you're taking your risk, but I encourage taking risks because you have one life. You got to take it.
Speaker 2:I mean, that's literally what this podcast is about. So yes, preach.
Speaker 3:Yes, hey, I'm on the right one, you are Excellent, you are Well it's.
Speaker 2:I mean it's just interesting, because I know I mean from from Cheryl's, in my perspective. Sorry, I'll speak from my perspective, cheryl, you can jump in. Everyone's at a different point of that. Right, everyone's at a different point of this. Is the one time that we have to live, this is the one life and some people realize that early, some people get a little bit later when they finally realize that and but that's okay, right, it's it's.
Speaker 2:We're trying to encourage and help people to say stop now and think about it. This, this is it, this is it. Now, take that and go for it. What does that mean for you? What? What does that mean to live a life that is full for you? It doesn't have to be. You know, we talk about purpose and stuff, but at the same time that's such a I don't know that can. That can take you 10, 20, 30 years. If you really want to like dive into. Well, what's my purpose of being here? The great philosopher still haven't figured that one out. So you know, do the things that bring you joy, do the things that you would regret not having done, and we just want to share all of those stories and how people have gotten to that and if it take it's taken them a while, that's okay. It doesn't mean it's over. You're still here listening to us. That means you're still alive and have the opportunity to continue forward and doing the things that matter to you.
Speaker 3:Definitely, and I'm okay with mistakes. I would rather not have regret.
Speaker 1:Yes, yeah, yes, yeah, yeah. So I'm on the slow learner spectrum of where you are, and it took me a long time to recognize that. You know, and I and I come from a family of people that created things with their hands. You know, whether it was like electricians or people that baked, or you know people that sewed their own clothes, or you know, or did their things. You know, I always felt like I had to stay in a straight line and now I'm finally starting to branch out and it's been terrifying, quite frankly, but it's also been very rewarding. So I applaud you for being one of the quick learners.
Speaker 3:I don't know about that, but I appreciate it.
Speaker 1:So what was the first piece of clothing you've ever made?
Speaker 3:Oh, so I am a wholesale to retail business.
Speaker 1:Got you Okay.
Speaker 3:So I was shopping, so I was in New York. I'll tell you my little word.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I tell this all the time.
Speaker 3:but whatever, it's, okay, that's fine.
Speaker 3:I was in New York and I was shopping just for myself, because I love to shop, and so I walk into a store and I'm like I want this skirt, Let me buy it. And they're like no, you have to buy like 10 or 12 or something like that. And I'm like what? And they were like yeah, this is a wholesale store. Like, if you want to buy something, you have to buy 10 or 12 of them. And it was like ugh, Like in that, I wanted that skirt so bad.
Speaker 3:it really really like it pissed me off like okay like I left and I thought about that skirt all day, Like I'm like 24. I think 20. No, maybe 23. And I thought about that skirt all day and I'm walking around like ugh, that's so stupid. And so then, like for the next like 24 hours, I was like I think I could sell the other 11.
Speaker 2:Like. I just feel like.
Speaker 1:I could.
Speaker 3:You know, and that's just literally how it was born for me, I was like 23 and I immediately just started selling on Instagram and on Facebook. So I would put the outfit on, take a photo and sell the rest. And then I was like I should get a website. Then I got a website and then I was like I should get a store and then I got a store. So between 23 and 26, I built it up until I wanted to get a store.
Speaker 1:That's amazing, that's fantastic yeah.
Speaker 2:So how did you land on the brand as it is now, right? So there's obviously brand story, there's brand development and just overall feel. How is it that you landed on what it is that exists now and has it changed over time?
Speaker 3:It's changed immensely over time. So, like I said, when I first started doing that, I'm late 23. So for one, my styles were different completely. I wore different things, yeah. Then I was like, oh my God, you know, I work back and I'm like, oh my God, so OK, so it's changed.
Speaker 3:Just because for me it started because I was really filling a need, like the need was I didn't have the clothes that I wanted to have, and that was the need that I was feeling to be like super honest. And so I was buying clothes then that 18 to 25 year olds would wear, and then, as I continued to grow up, it would continue to grow and the styles would change with me. And so now I'm looking at like an avatar customer. That's like 30 to 40. Yeah, and in the next year I turned 35.
Speaker 3:And honestly, we're coming up around a huge change. Now my fall line is going to be different than anything I've ever done and we're actually going to go even more like in quality, in age, in demographic and everything. So now we're going to be looking at like a 30 to 50 year old customer 35 to 50 maybe. So it's going to change. Come at fall everything, quality, price and everything is going to go up. So it's completely. It always evolves with me and that's one thing I love about it. I hope that it continues to always evolve with me, Because if I'm not evolving, I can't take it Like I have to change. I have to keep little changes going all the time and grow, or I feel like I'm dying, you know. So it's definitely evolved and changed and I, you know, started it out as just something that I did on the side and something that wasn't my all and wasn't everything to me, and then it grew into this purpose and this, you know, fulfillment for me of, you know, like a life changing thing for me.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I mean it's incredible Because I mean, look, if this is something that you're committed to and you get to be able to change with it, right, you get to define and decide what it is that exists and what is the essence of that, that place, right, or that, that person that you're looking to sell for. I also am one that I would get very bored if I just kept doing the same thing over and over and over again, as Cheryl knows. So I feel that completely yeah. So one of the things I'd love to tap into now, and sort of what seems like sort of a growth area from from the branding perspective, is also this the give back piece, right, so the the intention behind doing something for the good. Also, where did that come from, when did that start and what does that look like?
Speaker 3:So this is my favorite part. So I really had this idea in 2020. I did not execute on it and I want to say this was my mistake. Like for everybody, listening, execute quicker than I did for sure With this.
Speaker 3:Ok, like normally, I am a quick like execute. You know I execute very quickly on ideas and stuff, but I had this idea in 2020. I did not execute as quickly as I wish I had, but thank goodness. So I finally did this year, and you know what this is is. The concept is that I was like so when I first did it, I had the same feeling I did just a few months ago when I decided, no, I'm executing on this idea I had in 2020. So I kept feeling the same feeling for three years, which is awful. I should have done it before.
Speaker 3:But I'm sitting there and I'm like I'm doing this amazing brand and this amazing thing. It is me, it's of me, it's doing well, I'm promoting myself. Why do I feel not fulfilled about it? And you know I'm listening to like mentors and podcasts and things, and they're like if you're not fulfilled in what you're doing, it's probably because you're not giving back enough. Yeah, and I was like oh my God, that's definitely it Like. And then I'm like but what do I give? Because I, because I would definitely give my time. So there's places in Phoenix I would like volunteer, like at food banks and stuff like that, because that makes me feel good about myself, like it's totally selfish, I get it, it makes me feel good about myself whenever I do it. And but I was like, how do I translate that to my business? And so I'm like I'm selling clothes, so it should have something to do with clothing. Yeah, like it just should. And so then I was like, oh my God, what if I just helped close people, like people that need clothes? And so, back when I had my store, we had done clothing drives before and I'm like I could do stuff like this but do it under an umbrella of a nonprofit, a charity, and continue to do it, not just do it one time a year. So we jumped in really quick and we have a back to school clothing drive right now. It spans across four states. Oh, wow, yeah. And so we're doing it.
Speaker 3:We've already, like I said, missed it for Maricopa a little bit. They started, but hey, if they need clothes, they need them. So we're going to get them their clothes. And then in Carolina they start back next week, right? So I'll be going there next week. We're going to go to like four different counties in North Carolina, because I want to make sure to continue to give back to my home and not not forget them either, because North Carolina is a huge part of my heart and of my story and my journey. So I never want to forget North Carolina, and so I'm going to go back there and we're going to, you know, just dispense all the clothing there, and it just feels really important to me to give clothing and not just take money for clothing.
Speaker 2:So yeah, what are the four?
Speaker 3:states. So Missouri, arizona, north Carolina and Alabama is what we have right now. I love it.
Speaker 2:How does one donate if they don't live in that state?
Speaker 3:So what we're doing is we have, with the right word, not like a representative. So all of the places that I named, I have someone that I know there like a representative. They all tell us a drop-off location. So most of them are businesses. So let's say, for example, in Guilford County, which is in North Carolina, I know someone who has a vegan restaurant, mike's Vegan Grill, and he's volunteered to be a drop-off location. So then I have a friend in Troy, alabama. He works at Troy University and they have agreed to be a drop-off location. In Mecklenburg County, samaritan's Feet, which is another nonprofit, has agreed to be a drop-off location. So basically we told anyone that would listen hey, if you want to represent your state or your county, then please contact us and we will give you the flyers, the tools, the promotion and the location. So whatever school is in need with underfunding or anything like that, crisis centers and anything like that, we'll research all of that and then they drop it off for us. They're basically like a representative for our nonprofit.
Speaker 2:That's amazing. Yeah, that's great.
Speaker 1:That's great, that you have a community that you can reach out to in a very expanded circle of friends. That's so nice Guys.
Speaker 3:when I started this, I thought I'd need two counties the one that I live in and the one I'm from in North Carolina. That's what I thought two counties, and I really thought that was good. And then all of a sudden we have seven counties and honestly, we could have had more. But I was like, okay, I think we need to stop right now just to make sure we do these right. And then for Christmas we got it, yeah, yep. So it went even better than I could have imagined.
Speaker 1:Yeah. That's terrific, that's terrific, yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, ought to keep in contact for Christmas time oh.
Speaker 3:Christmas. Because we did this, we already know Christmas is gonna be great. It's gonna be amazing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, it's amazing. So now have you had the chance to look back and feel more fulfilled, now that this is an existence that felt like an empty piece for you? Does that feeling more fulfilled now that you're in all of these places?
Speaker 3:Absolutely. I mean, there is that piece of me that is happy that I'm giving back and has that. Okay, this is what I was looking for a moment like not take, take, take, but gives, and so, absolutely. Now there's always a part of me I don't know if it's just me or other people can relate to this but a lot of people are content with their lives and I'm jealous of them. I truly am. They're content and that is so cute. Like I am not that person. I am restless always and that's just who I am. But I actually attribute it to. It actually works out for me. I think restless people are always journeying for more. They're always looking for better and doing more and they wanna keep going up, up, up, which is that's okay too, and that's who I am. I am so I can't say like, oh yeah, I got this nonprofit and now I'm completely content with my life.
Speaker 2:Oh no, I didn't expect that.
Speaker 3:No, not at all no, but yeah, and I'm like I said, I'm super jealous of people who are like, oh, I'm just content here and I'm like, well, I'm not, I'm gonna keep going, sorry.
Speaker 2:No, I understand, I totally understand. And did you get a chance to celebrate the fact that it exists? Cause I think that's one of the things that some people forget. Right, it's like okay, and I am 100% guilty of this. Right On same wavelength where I'm like, oh, okay, I did this, Okay, now, what's next? Okay, now, what's next? Before actually having just even like a spooge of a moment to say, wow, that was really cool. What an amazing thing to have been able to say I've done and accomplished. It doesn't have to be a big party for yourself or anything like that, right, but just to like acknowledge yourself.
Speaker 3:I will do that for you, because you told me to, but I am going to mark that down on my calendar.
Speaker 2:Cause.
Speaker 3:You know, I don't know if you know my personality, but I have a calendar. It's written. I write down a checklist every day, so I'm gonna write at the end of it celebrate.
Speaker 2:Yeah, nothing wrong with that. There's nothing wrong with that. Right, you pour yourself a glass of champagne or sparkling apple juice or whatever it is that you. Red wine? Oh boy, Absolutely yeah, but that, and just allow for yourself to be excited that you've done something I will do, that I promise, I promise, I will.
Speaker 1:So I was looking online, based on you know, just to see what you had out there, cause as soon as I heard two piece jogger suit I was like I'm in, let's talk about that. Look at your website. I really appreciate that. There is size, inclusivity and body positivity and all those different things on your site. If there was advice to give to people in the I guess I want to say like early twenties to early thirties about positivity and fashion, like what would that? What would you give to them as advice?
Speaker 3:I am, I'm a super advocate for you, asking yourself do I feel good in it? Do I feel like I look good in it?
Speaker 3:Well there you go.
Speaker 3:That's what you need to know, because public opinion is not your friend.
Speaker 3:Like, public opinion does not mean as much as how do you feel when you look at it, how you know, no matter how old you are, no matter what size you are, it's about how you feel when you look in the mirror, how you feel when you look at yourself, and then that's what you should wear, and I'm a big advocate of that.
Speaker 3:And we talk about size inclusivity a lot, but we don't talk about age and a lot of women, the older they get, they feel left out and they feel silly and they feel like they are dressing too young, and that's something that I've also come in contact with a lot, and I reject all of that. I reject that. I think that, no matter how old you are, you know you can wear things that are sexy for your age or to make you feel beautiful, that make you feel as you know, as young as you look or whatever. And yeah, so I say that you know going off public opinion is not what you should do, and going off how you feel in something is the right way to go, for sure.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I saw something and it was like it's like you know, they had those stories like things to never wear after you're 50. There was something along those lines. It was like things that did not wear after you're 50, other people's opinions.
Speaker 3:There you go yeah.
Speaker 2:I do like that.
Speaker 1:That's the one Exactly Because like I don't know.
Speaker 3:I don't know how I'm going to dress. I have no idea. But I can guarantee you it probably won't be the norm, it's probably not going to be the average, so I'm ready for that already.
Speaker 2:I love it, it's great, you know. Yeah, oh my gosh, it's. How is it already this time?
Speaker 3:Okay, goodness Right. So it was like so easy for me, you guys, this was so much, but I loved this. I loved it.
Speaker 2:That's what we keep telling people it's not really that big of a deal, like we just have fun and talk.
Speaker 1:It's so much fun it just flew, by which has happened. Right.
Speaker 2:So I know we've kind of talked a little bit about some of the things, but you know, the big question that we really do have at the end here is do you haven't heard to the end yet? So now we get to surprise you. No, so we have this thing called the this is happening question. Right, as you have many times lived through this, you decided to move and you said this is happening. You've decided to buy a store and say this is happening.
Speaker 2:Not totally sure how it's gonna get there, but you felt it in your heart. You felt it in a way that you knew that that was the piece of what was going to be your life for the next however long. That was Right, and so it doesn't necessarily have to be jumping off of a building or like doing anything crazy along those lines, but sometimes we have in our hearts that there's something coming next for us and it just feels like without doing that, I will not be complete within the next phase of my life. Do you have anything in your this is happening heart that you feel is coming next for you?
Speaker 3:So you mean something that is gonna change everything for me, or is I mean just?
Speaker 2:a way that you're approaching life. Are you gonna do? You think you might wanna open another store? Do you think you wanna go and do more speaking engagements, like, is there a piece of what you're doing now or personally? Right, it can be personally. We have some folks that have talked about saying I need to say no more often cause I don't do that, and that was sort of their resolution. I don't like to call them resolutions, right, but it's the next thing that you feel like it's on your heart that you have to live out.
Speaker 3:Yeah. So I mean I had a hate to do this, but, like, right now it is a human mission, it is what's happening for me. It is bigger to me even than Drea Dare, which is my baby, and for me it's like bigger than that. Now I've seen how fast it's gone and I wanna make it bigger and bigger and bigger and so for, like, so for that. I want more of my life to be about nonprofit. I want more of my life to be giving back and less taking, and to me that's happening and that's beautiful. For me, it makes me feel like glowy and new and bright, and you know what I mean. It gives me something to look forward to, and I'm not just thinking about marketing and social media and all of these things. I'm thinking about how to take what I've gotten and make someone else's life better and like for me, right now, that's what's happening. You know that's my big thing right now. I hope that answers your question?
Speaker 2:It totally does. It's been on your heart for a long time, for many years. It's been on your heart for a long time for many years.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and it's just, and that's why I wanna say again, I wanna double down on, like anybody listening do not take three years to execute your idea, because I should have done it when I thought of it in 2020. But also, on the flip side, you know things take time and possibly there's a reason that it took me this long, and you know I'll do it better now than maybe I would have then. I've got more context now, et cetera. But for me, that's what's really on my heart right now, more than even my brand, which there are things happening there too. Like I said, you know we're going up in quality and in style and everything for fall, but what's really on my heart is this nonprofit.
Speaker 2:Love it, yeah, and it's such a gift to all those who are impacted by it, right, so that's amazing. When does the fall line launch for people that want to get into that Fall line is going?
Speaker 3:to launch October 1st. Okay, great. And so we're doing completely a new website. We have web developers working on it right now. They're redoing the entire website. Oh my God, it's like. It's like DreaDare 3.0, because I've already done it twice, so it's got to be 3.0. So, yeah, 3.0. And we're completely redoing everything so that it matches the quality of the clothing and that the content we put on social media is going to be even better quality, just like the clothing, and that we get across that message. And we're launching an entire marketing campaign.
Speaker 1:Everything starts October 1st, so that's fantastic, yeah, and we do, too, know something about being excited about a rebrand launch, so we'll be hoping to talk about that very soon.
Speaker 3:So you guys are yeah.
Speaker 1:Awesome, very excited about that. So we're excited for you as you continue to evolve and grow, and also appreciate that you are clothing the world in kindness, especially those seven counties that you have impacted.
Speaker 3:Thank you.
Speaker 1:Kendra. Where can people connect with you? So?
Speaker 3:online. Yeah, so, like the website is just DreaDarecom, I love to personally connect with people on Instagram. Right now, instagram is where you know it's popping and that's what we're doing is Instagram. So it's DreaDare and I'm sure you'll write it, but it's D-R-I-A-D-A-I-R and really, I don't know if you guys noticed, that's just my name. So, okay, because a lot of people I figured it out. Yes, yeah, they're like where did you get that? I'm like, you've been my friend for 20 years. Like what?
Speaker 2:Have you said my name ever? Oh yeah, that's perfect.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 3:So it's just my name and I was just looking for a unique name that I would never have to argue with someone over and say, no, I had this one first and so yeah. But Instagram is my favorite, and just underscore at DreaDare, underscore so that's where I'm at, and then my personal one too. I'm happy to connect with anybody there. It's just at kindrea, underscore, go dare, and I would love to make friends and connect with you.
Speaker 2:She's amazing. We've already had a really good time hanging out this evening. Yes, yes.
Speaker 3:Yes, it's off the podcast. I'm down for that. Yeah, totally For real.
Speaker 1:Awesome.
Speaker 2:So it's so funny how much, like I think most of the hosts are, the guests that we've had were like no, can we just be friends now, right?
Speaker 3:Really nice, so we can just have fun.
Speaker 2:Girls yes.
Speaker 3:I love it.
Speaker 1:Oh my goodness, I love it so much.
Speaker 3:It's been so kind. I really appreciate it. This is a blast.
Speaker 1:Thank you for joining us. On behalf of Eileen and myself, thank you once again for a wonderful episode of you. Only go once. Take care everyone. Bye.
