Life & Work with Kendra Kennedy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Kennedy.

Hi Kendra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
My path to becoming a professional graphic designer was kind of by accident. While I went to college to pursue a career as a teacher, it was a need for a part-time job that changed my course. Utilizing some design skills I learned on the newspaper staff in high school I secured a graphic design position at the university rec center. After just a few short months, I realized that design was my true passion and how I wanted to spend all of my time in the future. I quickly switched majors and began my career as a graphic designer.

After graduating college, I started working at a marketing agency in Austin, TX where I continued to grow in my craft and make incredible design friends along the way. I worked in the Austin office for two years before I moved to Washington D.C. and continued to work for them remotely. During this time in D.C. I also started my own design business. I wanted more opportunity to do in-depth branding and web design as well as work closely with other small business owners that were looking for transformative brands for their business.

Once the pandemic hit, my husband and I decided we wanted to move out of the city and settle down in a more permanent home. That’s when we decided to look for opportunities in beautiful Frankin, TN. While I had planned to take my business full-time, I came across an opening at Nice Branding Agency. After a few interviews and conversations with owner Amy Dennis, we realized that my love of design and business would be the perfect fit for Nice.

Since being at Nice Branding Agency, I have fully shifted my focus and efforts to further the growth of the business. At Nice, I not only assist the team in creating amazing brands, websites, and marketing collateral for our clients but I also help lead the creative team and grow the business in multiple avenues. Together with this team, I have had the opportunity to work with amazing clients and even more amazing creatives that will continue to produce great work in the future.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think it took a few years to realize that my specialty was more in creating meaningful brands for businesses as opposed to marketing or illustrative design, as well as being a part of the management of business operations.

It took a bit of burnout to see that my joy came from the deeper meaning of design. I thrive on organization, systems, processes, and all of that is wrapped up in creating successful brands. There is a lot of logic and deep thinking required and that was where I found myself gravitating.

This shift in understanding is when I decided to start my own business and without that experience, I never would have been able to be the great match I turned out to be for Nice Branding.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a professional graphic designer that specializes in brand and web design as well as managing teams and working on business strategy.

I am known for being creative yet organized. I strive to work efficiently and with purpose and make adjustments to make my team and clients feel seen and satisfied. I like to help further new ideas and continue to bring innovations to systems and businesses.

I am most proud of the relationships that I’ve made during my career. I am happy to have worked alongside incredible professionals in my different areas of business and created lasting and meaningful relationships that have been so beneficial during my career. Always learning and growing with people is my key to success.

I believe what sets me apart from the typical creative is my ability to organize and empathize. I love to create beautiful and meaningful things, but it’s tried and tested process that helps me get through the day with sanity. I love to share these ideas with others in order to help them be peacefully efficient, while also empathizing and caring for the workers around me.

The root of who I am is driven by helping others, whether that’s helping a client up-level their business or helping a co-worker get through a stressful time at the office. I do my best to create good for others.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I would say that I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love. It’s risky to follow your passion but with self-confidence and hope, you can really achieve your dreams. Also, a little kindness will help you along the way too. Be kind and believe in yourself.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: nice-branding.com
• Instagram: @nicebranding

Image Credits
Chelsea Holt