February 13, 2024 • 43 mins
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.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hello, hello, hello and welcome back to you.
Only Go Once.
I'm here with my magnanimousfriend, eileen Grimes, who is
also my co-host.
I'm Cheryl Cantafio and todaywe're here with a fantastic
guest, eileen, kick us off.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Thank you, cheryl.
Dria Dare is a lifestyle brandthat emphasizes being as
comfortable in your clothes asyou are stylish.
It caters to the modern-daywoman with everything from gym
clothes to cocktail dresses.
It was founded in a small townof Grand North Carolina, but its
fashion brings you a big cityfeel.
The founder, kendria Godaire,was born and raised in North
(00:43):
Carolina, but in 2020, closedher brick-and-mortar store,
picked up her business andfamily and relocated to Phoenix,
arizona.
She's a mother, speaker,motivator, friend and
fashionista.
Kendria inspires modern-daywomen that dare to think they
can have it all, to leave behindwhat society has told them they
should be and define their ownpaths.
Yes, dria Dare has been activefor close to 10 years and has
(01:06):
evolved with Kendria throughoutthat time.
Dria Dare has recently branchedinto the charity world Ooh, I'm
excited to hear about this withthe nonprofit a human mission
with the goal being not just tosell clothes, but clothes people
in need.
Giving back to the community isa core focus, while reminding
them to be bold, brave andunapologetically themselves.
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
(01:28):
How are we doing this?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
evening.
I'm doing great.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Thank you so much yeah it's so great to have you
and I will say we were talkingbefore we started recording and,
like I said, I already havesome items in my cart from the
site, because the two-piecejogger and crop set look like
the most comfortable thing inthe entire world.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
So it definitely is Like because I, I, the older I
get, I want to be verycomfortable Like.
I want to be stylish always,but I need to be comfortable at
all times.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Yep, no, totally agree.
And especially after motherhood, there's just something about
being very okay, beingcomfortable.
That is important, yeah.
After babies, for me it waslike, look, this shirt is going
to get spit up on it Like Idon't even know, why I try.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Right?
No, I totally get that.
Definitely, I have two kids, somy son is 14, and my daughter
is seven, and so I mean I stillwant to be all things fashion
like all the time.
But like I don't want thingstied on my waist, I don't want
things scratchy on my skin, Ijust I want to be comfortable at
(02:47):
the same time.
So I try to make these twothings as important as one
another and I love all of that.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
So just going back, so what?
What inspired this?
Where?
Where did this come from?
For you has has fashion alwaysbeen something that has sort of
tugged on your heart and beensomething you knew you were
always going to be a part of.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
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 wasthe shopper, Like my dad's super
fly all the time, Like he hasthe best collared shirts he has,
like the dopest shoes, and he,when my dad steps out into the
(03:36):
city he looks fly and fresh allthe time.
So like presenting himself very, you know, stylish was always a
part of him.
Yeah, and I think I alwaysliked that about him.
I always admired that.
So was it always kind of there?
Yeah, a little bit.
I think being, I think beingrunning my own business, I think
(04:00):
was more.
What was always a part of metoo?
Yeah, it was more about like Iwant to work for myself.
How am I going to do that?
What is going to be the methodof transportation to have me do
that?
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Yeah, totally, and I mean so.
I've done many things in mylifetime.
I was a high school teacher fora little bit high school math
teacher at that time and Iworked as an administrative
assistant and worked incorporate and for me.
Yeah, I just like the freedomof like I do consulting and
(04:39):
stuff now and I there'ssomething about the freedom of
choice.
The freedom of creating theworld that I want to be in and
that I want to create for othersis so empowering and that feels
like sort of what what yourvibe is overall and just how you
approach life.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Yeah, absolutely Like .
You get all of theresponsibility, so if it goes
wrong, you know, terrible,that's on you.
Yeah, if it goes great and youdo, well, that's on you.
And I'm fine with both Likeyeah, definitely.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
So when did you so?
Obviously it's been your viewand 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 madeit through the pandemic Also
within that, yeah, that was atrial, yeah.
How?
Oh for sure.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Yeah.
So I had a brick and mortar forfive years and then the
pandemic hit and I'm like what'shappening?
And North Carolina was verystrict Just the way, you know,
gives a like state by statedepending on how strict it was.
So North Carolina was likesuper strict and they made all
(05:58):
the small businesses closed downSome places.
I guess they wouldn't make thempay rent.
Where I was at, I was stillpaying rent even though I was
closed.
And so, like two months andthree months, and I'm like
forget this, yeah, doing thisanymore.
And also I had two or threemonths to sit there and like,
twiddle my thumbs and be like,hmm, is this really what I want
(06:22):
to do?
Because I hadn't been doing itfor so long that it kind of
consumed me.
I felt like, and I had time tosit 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, likeyou know, into month two, I'm
(06:45):
like I'm out of here.
Yeah, like I always wanted tomove, I've always wanted to do
something different, and I kindof felt excited, though I'm like
this is an opportunity for meto like scratch it all and
completely start over and dosomething new.
And I know Phoenix is like aweird choice, but I had always
wanted to move here, like I justalways felt called to here, I
(07:09):
don't know, and so I was likethis is my opportunity.
I could move my store onlineand if it doesn't work, the
worst thing is, I move back home.
What's the worst thing that canhappen?
I just moved back.
It's been one of my favoritedecisions like that I ever made.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
And it's I mean so it's so interesting and I'm not
saying that people quit Like thepandemic was a whole other
ballgame of businesses hittingliterally the wall of what they
could withstand and what theycould really just be able to do
from a financial perspective andall of those things.
And those that were able topivot, those that were able to
(07:53):
find a way, there is something.
So my sister-in-law owns a gymand like they're still up and
running.
They went through so manyiterations of like, well, let's
try this and let's go this route.
I think that there is somethingabout business owners and
entrepreneurs that are able towithstand some.
(08:15):
I mean, this was obviously a waybigger hurdle than anyone could
have ever imagined going intoany business or being a parent
or I mean literally anything inthe world at that point, right.
But yeah, is that something youthink you've developed over
time?
Is that a piece of who you are,that this just kind of look?
(08:35):
I don't know how this is goingto work, but I'm going to figure
it out and I will make the path.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
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.
I am, I'm a figure it out.
So it's funny because when I dothese talks, especially with
modern day wife on the panel,one of my biggest things is
(09:04):
pivot.
Yeah, like you have to be ableto pivot because things are not
going to continue to go one wayfor that long.
Like you have to be able topivot.
I pivoted so many times and Iwill keep pivoting and I'm okay
with that.
Like I'm going to roll with thepunches and I'm going to keep
going and so, yeah, I think thatis a part of who I am I'm a
(09:27):
figure it out or whatever thatmeans, and I'm always a play
with pivoting and in change kindof excites me a little bit.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Same.
You and I are connected.
On that one Trust me.
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
I've always been a big admirer of people that can
just get up and move.
So I've worked with a fewpeople that have moved from
different countries to be here,or vice versa.
They've moved from here toanother country just because
it's like you know what my lifeis not here, I'm going over
there.
I'm still debating as towhether or not I want to move
(10:07):
from one county to another.
So, like I said, I alwaysadmire people that have that
spirit in them.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
But hey, I lived in North Carolina for 30 years 31,
whatever and that was all I knew.
And now I just think like Ishould 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 forme.
(10:38):
But now I could be that personbecause I can see how, like what
if you got to lose a little bit.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Sure, sure, and why not?
And certainly during the timeof 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 alsoI'm sick of corporate America
(11:06):
and I'm moving on to like mypassion project.
Right, there was, there was allof 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 toArizona.
Had you traveled there before?
Okay, Okay.
Okay.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
I traveled a lot in general.
My parents, they like love totravel and they traveled all
over the US and in the world.
So I came to Arizona the firsttime I was like 12.
Okay, and it was a funny story.
I actually hated it because itwas so hot.
Oh yeah, my dad got lost.
(11:42):
We were out in downtown and wegot lost and so I'm like
sweating and I thought I wasdying and I was like anybody
that chooses to live in thedesert is crazy, and they always
remind me of that.
Now they're like oh, youremember when you said that?
Speaker 2 (11:57):
Yep, I do, yes, I do.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
And then I ended up coming back here several times
in my early 20s and then I justliked the vibe.
I just thought it was differentand I was like I like these
people.
It wasn't completely LA, so itwasn't like that scene, but it
was like somewhere in the middleand I liked it.
Fun, and I still get that fromit when I came back here now.
(12:23):
So I came in 2020 and, oh mygosh, now I have such a great
group of friends.
There's a great group ofcreatives here and I met the
coolest people here in the cityin the fashion industry and
everything.
So it's been a great move forme.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
That's fantastic, you know, when you go through this,
one of the things that I don'tknow we talk about, too, is just
the sort of like selfreflection piece of it.
So it sounds like, even throughyour life, do you, do you take
the time to like practice,listening to your gut, like this
kind of that kind of a move isnot, yes, you can do it on a
whim, but there's somethingthat's telling you that that's
(13:05):
the right thing to do.
Like, do you have any kind ofself reflective practice or
anything like that that you'veused?
Or listening to the choices, oranything along those lines?
Speaker 3 (13:17):
I don't know if I would call it like a self
reflective practice, that is,that we call that's a good term.
I don't know that termnecessarily.
I do like listen to my gut, alot like.
So I think some of my bestdecisions I have made in like
instinctively, like like on theedge.
(13:41):
You know, like even when I gotmy store, I was 2526, I was
pregnant and I was like I'mgetting 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'shold on to that idea until you
give birth and and so that waslike my one of my first like
(14:04):
very quick decisions I thinkit's the same way with moving
here was a very snap decision.
I've made some of my bestdecisions as snap decisions.
They seem like they just comefrom 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 thingwhenever I feel it deep in my
(14:27):
gut, my heart, whatever you wantto call it, whatever the case
would be.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
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 thesupposed to, supposed to,
supposed to, right, I got usedto not listening to it.
So I am on the reverse side ofthat now.
I'm like, okay, I have to takea minute to say okay, what, what
does my gut actually sayingversus what is the logic, brain,
(14:54):
the social influence, all ofthose pieces.
I am in awe of people that arejust like no, I immediately I
know this and it's happening,and so I.
That's incredible that you havethat.
Speaker 3 (15:06):
You don't really know , right it's just a game,
totally yes yeah, you're, you'reat that moment.
You're just completely being agambler like it's gamble.
Both times it could have gonehorribly wrong.
You know what I mean.
So it wasn't like I know.
I was like I'm pretty sure thatI'm doing it, you know what.
I mean, but like it could havegone wrong and I acknowledge
(15:27):
that also.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
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 wenever know of.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
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 andyour shenanigans.
Like whatever that we only liveone time.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Yes, right.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Like that was my thing when I was like, moving
here, I'm like I'm not going tolive.
I'm 30 rates at the time, soI'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 andI do encourage that you're
taking your risk, but Iencourage taking risks because
(16:16):
you have one life.
You got to take it.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
I mean, that's literally what this podcast is
about.
So yes, preach.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Yes, hey, I'm on the right one, you are Excellent,
you are Well it's.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
I mean it's just interesting, because I know I
mean from from Cheryl's, in myperspective.
Sorry, I'll speak from myperspective, cheryl, you can
jump in.
Everyone's at a different pointof that.
Right, everyone's at adifferent point of this.
Is the one time that we have tolive, this is the one life and
some people realize that early,some people get a little bit
later when they finally realizethat and but that's okay, right,
(16:51):
it's it's.
We're trying to encourage andhelp 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 alife that is full for you?
It doesn't have to be.
You know, we talk about purposeand stuff, but at the same time
that's such a I don't know thatcan.
(17:12):
That can take you 10, 20, 30years.
If you really want to like diveinto.
Well, what's my purpose ofbeing here?
The great philosopher stillhaven't figured that one out.
So you know, do the things thatbring you joy, do the things
that you would regret not havingdone, and we just want to share
all of those stories and howpeople have gotten to that and
(17:32):
if it take it's taken them awhile, that's okay.
It doesn't mean it's over.
You're still here listening tous.
That means you're still aliveand have the opportunity to
continue forward and doing thethings that matter to you.
Speaker 3 (17:44):
Definitely, and I'm okay with mistakes.
I would rather not have regret.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Yes, yeah, yes, yeah, yeah.
So I'm on the slow learnerspectrum of where you are, and
it took me a long time torecognize that.
You know, and I and I come froma family of people that created
things with their hands.
You know, whether it was likeelectricians or people that
(18:10):
baked, or you know people thatsewed their own clothes, or you
know, or did their things.
You know, I always felt like Ihad to stay in a straight line
and now I'm finally starting tobranch out and it's been
terrifying, quite frankly, butit's also been very rewarding.
So I applaud you for being oneof the quick learners.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
I don't know about that, but I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
So what was the first piece of clothing you've ever
made?
Speaker 3 (18:42):
Oh, so I am a wholesale to retail business.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
Got you Okay.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
So I was shopping, so I was in New York.
I'll tell you my little word.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
Yeah, I tell this all the time.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
but whatever, it's, okay, that's fine.
I was in New York and I wasshopping just for myself,
because I love to shop, and so Iwalk into a store and I'm like
I want this skirt, Let me buy it.
And they're like no, you haveto buy like 10 or 12 or
something like that.
And I'm like what?
And they were like yeah, thisis a wholesale store.
(19:20):
Like, if you want to buysomething, you have to buy 10 or
12 of them.
And it was like ugh, Like inthat, I wanted that skirt so bad
.
it really really like it pissedme off like okay like I left and
I thought about that skirt allday, Like I'm like 24.
I think 20.
No, maybe 23.
And I thought about that skirtall day and I'm walking around
(19:42):
like ugh, that's so stupid.
And so then, like for the nextlike 24 hours, I was like I
think I could sell the other 11.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Like.
I just feel like.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
I could.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
You know, and that's just literally how it was born
for me, I was like 23 and Iimmediately 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 shouldget a website.
Then I got a website and then Iwas like I should get a store
(20:14):
and then I got a store.
So between 23 and 26, I builtit up until I wanted to get a
store.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
That's amazing, that's fantastic yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
So how did you land on the brand as it is now, right
?
So there's obviously brandstory, there's brand development
and just overall feel.
How is it that you landed onwhat it is that exists now and
has it changed over time?
Speaker 3 (20:44):
It's changed immensely over time.
So, like I said, when I firststarted doing that, I'm late 23.
So for one, my styles weredifferent completely.
I wore different things, yeah.
Then I was like, oh my God, youknow, I work back and I'm like,
oh my God, so OK, so it'schanged.
(21:07):
Just because for me it startedbecause I was really filling a
need, like the need was I didn'thave the clothes that I wanted
to have, and that was the needthat I was feeling to be like
super honest.
And so I was buying clothesthen that 18 to 25 year olds
would wear, and then, as Icontinued to grow up, it would
(21:29):
continue to grow and the styleswould change with me.
And so now I'm looking at likean avatar customer.
That's like 30 to 40.
Yeah, and in the next year Iturned 35.
And honestly, we're coming uparound a huge change.
Now my fall line is going to bedifferent than anything I've
(21:51):
ever done and we're actuallygoing to go even more like in
quality, in age, in demographicand everything.
So now we're going to belooking 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
(22:14):
going to go up.
So it's completely.
It always evolves with me andthat's one thing I love about it
.
I hope that it continues toalways evolve with me, Because
if I'm not evolving, I can'ttake it Like I have to change.
I have to keep little changesgoing all the time and grow, or
I feel like I'm dying, you know.
So it's definitely evolved andchanged and I, you know, started
(22:40):
it out as just something that Idid on the side and something
that wasn't my all and wasn'teverything to me, and then it
grew into this purpose and this,you know, fulfillment for me of
, you know, like a life changingthing for me.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
Yeah, and I mean it's incredible Because I mean, look
, if this is something thatyou're committed to and you get
to be able to change with it,right, you get to define and
decide what it is that existsand 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 getvery bored if I just kept doing
(23:20):
the same thing over and over andover again, as Cheryl knows.
So I feel that completely yeah.
So one of the things I'd loveto tap into now, and sort of
what seems like sort of a growtharea from from the branding
perspective, is also this thegive back piece, right, so the
(23:44):
the intention behind doingsomething for the good.
Also, where did that come from,when did that start and what
does that look like?
Speaker 3 (23:52):
So this is my favorite part.
So I really had this idea in2020.
I did not execute on it and Iwant to say this was my mistake.
Like for everybody, listening,execute quicker than I did for
sure With this.
Ok, like normally, I am a quicklike execute.
You know I execute very quicklyon ideas and stuff, but I had
(24:14):
this idea in 2020.
I did not execute as quickly asI wish I had, but thank
goodness.
So I finally did this year, andyou know what this is is.
The concept is that I was likeso when I first did it, I had
the same feeling I did just afew months ago when I decided,
no, I'm executing on this idea Ihad in 2020.
(24:35):
So I kept feeling the samefeeling for three years, which
is awful.
I should have done it before.
But I'm sitting there and I'mlike I'm doing this amazing
brand and this amazing thing.
It is me, it's of me, it'sdoing well, I'm promoting myself
.
Why do I feel not fulfilledabout it?
And you know I'm listening tolike mentors and podcasts and
(24:59):
things, and they're like ifyou're not fulfilled in what
you're doing, it's probablybecause 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 Igive?
Because I, because I woulddefinitely give my time.
So there's places in Phoenix Iwould like volunteer, like at
food banks and stuff like that,because that makes me feel good
(25:22):
about myself, like it's totallyselfish, I get it, it makes me
feel good about myself wheneverI do it.
And but I was like, how do Itranslate that to my business?
And so I'm like I'm sellingclothes, so it should have
something to do with clothing.
Yeah, like it just should.
And so then I was like, oh myGod, what if I just helped close
(25:44):
people, like people that needclothes?
And so, back when I had mystore, we had done clothing
drives before and I'm like Icould do stuff like this but do
it under an umbrella of anonprofit, a charity, and
continue to do it, not just doit one time a year.
So we jumped in really quickand we have a back to school
(26:06):
clothing drive right now.
It spans across four states.
Oh, wow, yeah.
And so we're doing it.
We've already, like I said,missed it for Maricopa a little
bit.
They started, but hey, if theyneed clothes, they need them.
So we're going to get themtheir clothes.
And then in Carolina they startback next week, right?
So I'll be going there nextweek.
We're going to go to like fourdifferent counties in North
(26:29):
Carolina, because I want to makesure to continue to give back
to my home and not not forgetthem either, because North
Carolina is a huge part of myheart and of my story and my
journey.
So I never want to forget NorthCarolina, and so I'm going to
go back there and we're going to, you know, just dispense all
the clothing there, and it justfeels really important to me to
(26:52):
give clothing and not just takemoney for clothing.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
So yeah, what are the four?
Speaker 3 (26:59):
states.
So Missouri, arizona, northCarolina and Alabama is what we
have right now.
I love it.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
How does one donate if they don't live in that state
?
Speaker 3 (27:13):
So what we're doing is we have, with the right word,
not like a representative.
So all of the places that Inamed, I have someone that I
know there like a representative.
They all tell us a drop-offlocation.
So most of them are businesses.
So let's say, for example, inGuilford County, which is in
(27:36):
North Carolina, I know someonewho has a vegan restaurant,
mike's Vegan Grill, and he'svolunteered to be a drop-off
location.
So then I have a friend in Troy, alabama.
He works at Troy University andthey have agreed to be a
drop-off location.
In Mecklenburg County,samaritan's Feet, which is
(27:59):
another nonprofit, has agreed tobe a drop-off location.
So basically we told anyonethat would listen hey, if you
want to represent your state oryour county, then please contact
us and we will give you theflyers, the tools, the promotion
(28:20):
and the location.
So whatever school is in needwith underfunding or anything
like that, crisis centers andanything like that, we'll
research all of that and thenthey drop it off for us.
They're basically like arepresentative for our nonprofit
(28:41):
.
Speaker 2 (28:42):
That's amazing.
Yeah, that's great.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
That's great, that you have a community that you
can reach out to in a veryexpanded circle of friends.
That's so nice Guys.
Speaker 3 (28:54):
when I started this, I thought I'd need two counties
the one that I live in and theone I'm from in North Carolina.
That's what I thought twocounties, and I really thought
that was good.
And then all of a sudden wehave seven counties and honestly
, we could have had more.
But I was like, okay, I thinkwe need to stop right now just
to make sure we do these right.
(29:15):
And then for Christmas we gotit, yeah, yep.
So it went even better than Icould have imagined.
Speaker 1 (29:22):
Yeah.
That's terrific, that'sterrific, yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:27):
Yeah, ought to keep in contact for Christmas time oh
.
Speaker 3 (29:30):
Christmas.
Because we did this, we alreadyknow Christmas is gonna be
great.
It's gonna be amazing.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Yeah, no, it's amazing.
So now have you had the chanceto look back and feel more
fulfilled, now that this is anexistence that felt like an
empty piece for you?
Does that feeling morefulfilled now that you're in all
of these places?
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Absolutely.
I mean, there is that piece ofme that is happy that I'm giving
back and has that.
Okay, this is what I waslooking for a moment like not
take, take, take, but gives, andso, absolutely.
Now there's always a part of meI don't know if it's just me or
other people can relate to thisbut a lot of people are content
(30:21):
with their lives and I'mjealous of them.
I truly am.
They're content and that is socute.
Like I am not that person.
I am restless always and that'sjust who I am.
But I actually attribute it to.
It actually works out for me.
I think restless people arealways journeying for more.
They're always looking forbetter and doing more and they
(30:43):
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, ohyeah, I got this nonprofit and
now I'm completely content withmy life.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
Oh no, I didn't expect that.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
No, not at all no, but yeah, and I'm like I said,
I'm super jealous of people whoare like, oh, I'm just content
here and I'm like, well, I'm not, I'm gonna keep going, sorry.
Speaker 2 (31:07):
No, I understand, I totally understand.
And did you get a chance tocelebrate the fact that it
exists?
Cause I think that's one of thethings that some people forget.
Right, it's like okay, and I am100% guilty of this.
Right On same wavelength whereI'm like, oh, okay, I did this,
Okay, now, what's next?
Okay, now, what's next?
Before actually having justeven like a spooge of a moment
(31:30):
to say, wow, that was reallycool.
What an amazing thing to havebeen able to say I've done and
accomplished.
It doesn't have to be a bigparty for yourself or anything
like that, right, but just tolike acknowledge yourself.
Speaker 3 (31:41):
I will do that for you, because you told me to, but
I am going to mark that down onmy calendar.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
Cause.
Speaker 3 (31:50):
You know, I don't know if you know my personality,
but I have a calendar.
It's written.
I write down a checklist everyday, so I'm gonna write at the
end of it celebrate.
Speaker 2 (31:59):
Yeah, nothing wrong with that.
There's nothing wrong with that.
Right, you pour yourself aglass of champagne or sparkling
apple juice or whatever it isthat you.
Red wine?
Oh boy, Absolutely yeah, butthat, and just allow for
(32:21):
yourself to be excited thatyou've done something I will do,
that I promise, I promise, Iwill.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
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'min, let's talk about that.
Look at your website.
I really appreciate that.
There is size, inclusivity andbody positivity and all those
(32:49):
different things on your site.
If there was advice to give topeople in the I guess I want to
say like early twenties to earlythirties about positivity and
fashion, like what would that?
What would you give to them asadvice?
Speaker 3 (33:13):
I am, I'm a super advocate for you, asking
yourself do I feel good in it?
Do I feel like I look good init?
Well there you go.
That's what you need to know,because public opinion is not
your friend.
Like, public opinion does notmean as much as how do you feel
(33:34):
when you look at it, how youknow, 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 youfeel when you look at yourself,
and then that's what you shouldwear, and I'm a big advocate of
that.
And we talk about sizeinclusivity a lot, but we don't
(33:55):
talk about age and a lot ofwomen, the older they get, they
feel left out and they feelsilly and they feel like they
are dressing too young, andthat's something that I've also
come in contact with a lot, andI reject all of that.
I reject that.
(34:15):
I think that, no matter how oldyou are, you know you can wear
things that are sexy for yourage or to make you feel
beautiful, that make you feel asyou know, as young as you look
or whatever.
And yeah, so I say that youknow going off public opinion is
not what you should do, andgoing off how you feel in
(34:39):
something is the right way to go, for sure.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
Yeah, I saw something and it was like it's like you
know, they had those storieslike things to never wear after
you're 50.
There was something along thoselines.
It was like things that did notwear after you're 50, other
people's opinions.
Speaker 3 (34:55):
There you go yeah.
Speaker 2 (34:56):
I do like that.
Speaker 1 (34:58):
That's the one Exactly Because like I don't
know.
Speaker 3 (35:01):
I don't know how I'm going to dress.
I have no idea.
But I can guarantee you itprobably won't be the norm, it's
probably not going to be theaverage, so I'm ready for that
already.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
I love it, it's great , you know.
Yeah, oh my gosh, it's.
How is it already this time?
Speaker 3 (35:25):
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 (35:29):
That's what we keep telling people it's not really
that big of a deal, like we justhave fun and talk.
Speaker 1 (35:34):
It's so much fun it just flew, by which has happened
.
Right.
Speaker 2 (35:42):
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 hereis do you haven't heard to the
end yet?
So now we get to surprise you.
No, so we have this thingcalled the this is happening
question.
Right, as you have many timeslived through this, you decided
(36:05):
to move and you said this ishappening.
You've decided to buy a storeand say this is happening.
Not totally sure how it's gonnaget there, but you felt it in
your heart.
You felt it in a way that youknew that that was the piece of
what was going to be your lifefor the next however long.
That was Right, and so itdoesn't necessarily have to be
(36:25):
jumping off of a building orlike doing anything crazy along
those lines, but sometimes wehave in our hearts that there's
something coming next for us andit just feels like without
doing that, I will not becomplete within the next phase
of my life.
Do you have anything in yourthis is happening heart that you
(36:46):
feel is coming next for you?
Speaker 3 (36:49):
So you mean something that is gonna change everything
for me, or is I mean just?
Speaker 2 (36:55):
a way that you're approaching life.
Are you gonna do?
You think you might wanna openanother store?
Do you think you wanna go anddo more speaking engagements,
like, is there a piece of whatyou're doing now or personally?
Right, it can be personally.
We have some folks that havetalked about saying I need to
say no more often cause I don'tdo that, and that was sort of
(37:17):
their resolution.
I don't like to call themresolutions, right, but it's the
next thing that you feel likeit's on your heart that you have
to live out.
Speaker 3 (37:26):
Yeah.
So I mean I had a hate to dothis, but, like, right now it is
a human mission, it is what'shappening for me.
It is bigger to me even thanDrea Dare, which is my baby, and
for me it's like bigger thanthat.
Now I've seen how fast it'sgone and I wanna make it bigger
(37:48):
and bigger and bigger and so for, like, so for that.
I want more of my life to beabout nonprofit.
I want more of my life to begiving back and less taking, and
to me that's happening andthat's beautiful.
For me, it makes me feel likeglowy and new and bright, and
(38:10):
you know what I mean.
It gives me something to lookforward to, and I'm not just
thinking about marketing andsocial media and all of these
things.
I'm thinking about how to takewhat I've gotten and make
someone else's life better andlike for me, right now, that's
(38:32):
what's happening.
You know that's my big thingright now.
I hope that answers yourquestion?
Speaker 2 (38:38):
It totally does.
It's been on your heart for along time, for many years.
It's been on your heart for along time for many years.
Speaker 3 (38:44):
Yeah, and it's just, and that's why I wanna say again
, I wanna double down on, likeanybody 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, youknow things take time and
possibly there's a reason thatit took me this long, and you
(39:04):
know I'll do it better now thanmaybe I would have then.
I've got more context now, etcetera.
But for me, that's what'sreally on my heart right now,
more than even my brand, whichthere are things happening there
too.
Like I said, you know we'regoing up in quality and in style
and everything for fall, butwhat's really on my heart is
(39:26):
this nonprofit.
Speaker 2 (39:29):
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 launchfor people that want to get into
that Fall line is going?
Speaker 3 (39:40):
to launch October 1st .
Okay, great.
And so we're doing completely anew website.
We have web developers workingon it right now.
They're redoing the entirewebsite.
Oh my God, it's like.
It's like DreaDare 3.0, becauseI've already done it twice, so
it's got to be 3.0.
So, yeah, 3.0.
(40:01):
And we're completely redoingeverything so that it matches
the quality of the clothing andthat the content we put on
social media is going to be evenbetter quality, just like the
clothing, and that we get acrossthat message.
And we're launching an entiremarketing campaign.
Speaker 1 (40:22):
Everything starts October 1st, so that's fantastic
, yeah, and we do, too, knowsomething about being excited
about a rebrand launch, so we'llbe hoping to talk about that
very soon.
Speaker 3 (40:36):
So you guys are yeah.
Speaker 1 (40:39):
Awesome, very excited about that.
So we're excited for you as youcontinue to evolve and grow,
and also appreciate that you areclothing the world in kindness,
especially those seven countiesthat you have impacted.
Speaker 3 (40:54):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (40:55):
Kendra.
Where can people connect withyou?
So?
Speaker 3 (41:00):
online.
Yeah, so, like the website isjust DreaDarecom, I love to
personally connect with peopleon Instagram.
Right now, instagram is whereyou know it's popping and that's
what we're doing is Instagram.
So it's DreaDare and I'm sureyou'll write it, but it's
D-R-I-A-D-A-I-R and really, Idon't know if you guys noticed,
that's just my name.
So, okay, because a lot ofpeople I figured it out.
(41:22):
Yes, yeah, they're like wheredid you get that?
I'm like, you've been my friendfor 20 years.
Like what?
Speaker 2 (41:28):
Have you said my name ever?
Oh yeah, that's perfect.
Speaker 1 (41:33):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
So it's just my name and I was just looking for a
unique name that I would neverhave to argue with someone over
and say, no, I had this onefirst and so yeah.
But Instagram is my favorite,and just underscore at DreaDare,
underscore so that's where I'mat, and then my personal one too
(41:57):
.
I'm happy to connect withanybody there.
It's just at kindrea,underscore, go dare, and I would
love to make friends andconnect with you.
Speaker 2 (42:07):
She's amazing.
We've already had a really goodtime hanging out this evening.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 3 (42:12):
Yes, it's off the podcast.
I'm down for that.
Yeah, totally For real.
Speaker 1 (42:18):
Awesome.
Speaker 2 (42:20):
So it's so funny how much, like I think most of the
hosts are, the guests that we'vehad were like no, can we just
be friends now, right?
Speaker 3 (42:28):
Really nice, so we can just have fun.
Speaker 2 (42:29):
Girls yes.
Speaker 3 (42:30):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (42:33):
Oh my goodness, I love it so much.
Speaker 3 (42:35):
It's been so kind.
I really appreciate it.
This is a blast.
Speaker 1 (42:39):
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.
Hello, hello, hello and welcome back to you.
Only Go Once.
I'm here with my magnanimousfriend, eileen Grimes, who is
also my co-host.
I'm Cheryl Cantafio and todaywe're here with a fantastic
guest, eileen, kick us off.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Thank you, cheryl.
Dria Dare is a lifestyle brandthat emphasizes being as
comfortable in your clothes asyou are stylish.
It caters to the modern-daywoman with everything from gym
clothes to cocktail dresses.
It was founded in a small townof Grand North Carolina, but its
fashion brings you a big cityfeel.
The founder, kendria Godaire,was born and raised in North
(00:43):
Carolina, but in 2020, closedher brick-and-mortar store,
picked up her business andfamily and relocated to Phoenix,
arizona.
She's a mother, speaker,motivator, friend and
fashionista.
Kendria inspires modern-daywomen that dare to think they
can have it all, to leave behindwhat society has told them they
should be and define their ownpaths.
Yes, dria Dare has been activefor close to 10 years and has
(01:06):
evolved with Kendria throughoutthat time.
Dria Dare has recently branchedinto the charity world Ooh, I'm
excited to hear about this withthe nonprofit a human mission
with the goal being not just tosell clothes, but clothes people
in need.
Giving back to the community isa core focus, while reminding
them to be bold, brave andunapologetically themselves.
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
(01:28):
How are we doing this?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
evening.
I'm doing great.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Thank you so much yeah it's so great to have you
and I will say we were talkingbefore we started recording and,
like I said, I already havesome items in my cart from the
site, because the two-piecejogger and crop set look like
the most comfortable thing inthe entire world.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
So it definitely is Like because I, I, the older I
get, I want to be verycomfortable Like.
I want to be stylish always,but I need to be comfortable at
all times.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Yep, no, totally agree.
And especially after motherhood, there's just something about
being very okay, beingcomfortable.
That is important, yeah.
After babies, for me it waslike, look, this shirt is going
to get spit up on it Like Idon't even know, why I try.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Right?
No, I totally get that.
Definitely, I have two kids, somy son is 14, and my daughter
is seven, and so I mean I stillwant to be all things fashion
like all the time.
But like I don't want thingstied on my waist, I don't want
things scratchy on my skin, Ijust I want to be comfortable at
(02:47):
the same time.
So I try to make these twothings as important as one
another and I love all of that.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
So just going back, so what?
What inspired this?
Where?
Where did this come from?
For you has has fashion alwaysbeen something that has sort of
tugged on your heart and beensomething you knew you were
always going to be a part of.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
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 wasthe shopper, Like my dad's super
fly all the time, Like he hasthe best collared shirts he has,
like the dopest shoes, and he,when my dad steps out into the
(03:36):
city he looks fly and fresh allthe time.
So like presenting himself very, you know, stylish was always a
part of him.
Yeah, and I think I alwaysliked that about him.
I always admired that.
So was it always kind of there?
Yeah, a little bit.
I think being, I think beingrunning my own business, I think
(04:00):
was more.
What was always a part of metoo?
Yeah, it was more about like Iwant to work for myself.
How am I going to do that?
What is going to be the methodof transportation to have me do
that?
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Yeah, totally, and I mean so.
I've done many things in mylifetime.
I was a high school teacher fora little bit high school math
teacher at that time and Iworked as an administrative
assistant and worked incorporate and for me.
Yeah, I just like the freedomof like I do consulting and
(04:39):
stuff now and I there'ssomething about the freedom of
choice.
The freedom of creating theworld that I want to be in and
that I want to create for othersis so empowering and that feels
like sort of what what yourvibe is overall and just how you
approach life.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
Yeah, absolutely Like .
You get all of theresponsibility, so if it goes
wrong, you know, terrible,that's on you.
Yeah, if it goes great and youdo, well, that's on you.
And I'm fine with both Likeyeah, definitely.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
So when did you so?
Obviously it's been your viewand 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 madeit through the pandemic Also
within that, yeah, that was atrial, yeah.
How?
Oh for sure.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Yeah.
So I had a brick and mortar forfive years and then the
pandemic hit and I'm like what'shappening?
And North Carolina was verystrict Just the way, you know,
gives a like state by statedepending on how strict it was.
So North Carolina was likesuper strict and they made all
(05:58):
the small businesses closed downSome places.
I guess they wouldn't make thempay rent.
Where I was at, I was stillpaying rent even though I was
closed.
And so, like two months andthree months, and I'm like
forget this, yeah, doing thisanymore.
And also I had two or threemonths to sit there and like,
twiddle my thumbs and be like,hmm, is this really what I want
(06:22):
to do?
Because I hadn't been doing itfor so long that it kind of
consumed me.
I felt like, and I had time tosit 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, likeyou know, into month two, I'm
(06:45):
like I'm out of here.
Yeah, like I always wanted tomove, I've always wanted to do
something different, and I kindof felt excited, though I'm like
this is an opportunity for meto like scratch it all and
completely start over and dosomething new.
And I know Phoenix is like aweird choice, but I had always
wanted to move here, like I justalways felt called to here, I
(07:09):
don't know, and so I was likethis is my opportunity.
I could move my store onlineand if it doesn't work, the
worst thing is, I move back home.
What's the worst thing that canhappen?
I just moved back.
It's been one of my favoritedecisions like that I ever made.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
And it's I mean so it's so interesting and I'm not
saying that people quit Like thepandemic was a whole other
ballgame of businesses hittingliterally the wall of what they
could withstand and what theycould really just be able to do
from a financial perspective andall of those things.
And those that were able topivot, those that were able to
(07:53):
find a way, there is something.
So my sister-in-law owns a gymand like they're still up and
running.
They went through so manyiterations of like, well, let's
try this and let's go this route.
I think that there is somethingabout business owners and
entrepreneurs that are able towithstand some.
(08:15):
I mean, this was obviously a waybigger hurdle than anyone could
have ever imagined going intoany business or being a parent
or I mean literally anything inthe world at that point, right.
But yeah, is that something youthink you've developed over
time?
Is that a piece of who you are,that this just kind of look?
(08:35):
I don't know how this is goingto work, but I'm going to figure
it out and I will make the path.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
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.
I am, I'm a figure it out.
So it's funny because when I dothese talks, especially with
modern day wife on the panel,one of my biggest things is
(09:04):
pivot.
Yeah, like you have to be ableto pivot because things are not
going to continue to go one wayfor that long.
Like you have to be able topivot.
I pivoted so many times and Iwill keep pivoting and I'm okay
with that.
Like I'm going to roll with thepunches and I'm going to keep
going and so, yeah, I think thatis a part of who I am I'm a
(09:27):
figure it out or whatever thatmeans, and I'm always a play
with pivoting and in change kindof excites me a little bit.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Same.
You and I are connected.
On that one Trust me.
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
I've always been a big admirer of people that can
just get up and move.
So I've worked with a fewpeople that have moved from
different countries to be here,or vice versa.
They've moved from here toanother country just because
it's like you know what my lifeis not here, I'm going over
there.
I'm still debating as towhether or not I want to move
(10:07):
from one county to another.
So, like I said, I alwaysadmire people that have that
spirit in them.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
But hey, I lived in North Carolina for 30 years 31,
whatever and that was all I knew.
And now I just think like Ishould 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 forme.
(10:38):
But now I could be that personbecause I can see how, like what
if you got to lose a little bit.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Sure, sure, and why not?
And certainly during the timeof 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 alsoI'm sick of corporate America
(11:06):
and I'm moving on to like mypassion project.
Right, there was, there was allof 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 toArizona.
Had you traveled there before?
Okay, Okay.
Okay.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
I traveled a lot in general.
My parents, they like love totravel and they traveled all
over the US and in the world.
So I came to Arizona the firsttime I was like 12.
Okay, and it was a funny story.
I actually hated it because itwas so hot.
Oh yeah, my dad got lost.
(11:42):
We were out in downtown and wegot lost and so I'm like
sweating and I thought I wasdying and I was like anybody
that chooses to live in thedesert is crazy, and they always
remind me of that.
Now they're like oh, youremember when you said that?
Speaker 2 (11:57):
Yep, I do, yes, I do.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
And then I ended up coming back here several times
in my early 20s and then I justliked the vibe.
I just thought it was differentand I was like I like these
people.
It wasn't completely LA, so itwasn't like that scene, but it
was like somewhere in the middleand I liked it.
Fun, and I still get that fromit when I came back here now.
(12:23):
So I came in 2020 and, oh mygosh, now I have such a great
group of friends.
There's a great group ofcreatives here and I met the
coolest people here in the cityin the fashion industry and
everything.
So it's been a great move forme.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
That's fantastic, you know, when you go through this,
one of the things that I don'tknow we talk about, too, is just
the sort of like selfreflection piece of it.
So it sounds like, even throughyour life, do you, do you take
the time to like practice,listening to your gut, like this
kind of that kind of a move isnot, yes, you can do it on a
whim, but there's somethingthat's telling you that that's
(13:05):
the right thing to do.
Like, do you have any kind ofself reflective practice or
anything like that that you'veused?
Or listening to the choices, oranything along those lines?
Speaker 3 (13:17):
I don't know if I would call it like a self
reflective practice, that is,that we call that's a good term.
I don't know that termnecessarily.
I do like listen to my gut, alot like.
So I think some of my bestdecisions I have made in like
instinctively, like like on theedge.
(13:41):
You know, like even when I gotmy store, I was 2526, I was
pregnant and I was like I'mgetting 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'shold on to that idea until you
give birth and and so that waslike my one of my first like
(14:04):
very quick decisions I thinkit's the same way with moving
here was a very snap decision.
I've made some of my bestdecisions as snap decisions.
They seem like they just comefrom 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 thingwhenever I feel it deep in my
(14:27):
gut, my heart, whatever you wantto call it, whatever the case
would be.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
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 thesupposed to, supposed to,
supposed to, right, I got usedto not listening to it.
So I am on the reverse side ofthat now.
I'm like, okay, I have to takea minute to say okay, what, what
does my gut actually sayingversus what is the logic, brain,
(14:54):
the social influence, all ofthose pieces.
I am in awe of people that arejust like no, I immediately I
know this and it's happening,and so I.
That's incredible that you havethat.
Speaker 3 (15:06):
You don't really know , right it's just a game,
totally yes yeah, you're, you'reat that moment.
You're just completely being agambler like it's gamble.
Both times it could have gonehorribly wrong.
You know what I mean.
So it wasn't like I know.
I was like I'm pretty sure thatI'm doing it, you know what.
I mean, but like it could havegone wrong and I acknowledge
(15:27):
that also.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
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 wenever know of.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
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 andyour shenanigans.
Like whatever that we only liveone time.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Yes, right.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Like that was my thing when I was like, moving
here, I'm like I'm not going tolive.
I'm 30 rates at the time, soI'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 andI do encourage that you're
taking your risk, but Iencourage taking risks because
(16:16):
you have one life.
You got to take it.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
I mean, that's literally what this podcast is
about.
So yes, preach.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Yes, hey, I'm on the right one, you are Excellent,
you are Well it's.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
I mean it's just interesting, because I know I
mean from from Cheryl's, in myperspective.
Sorry, I'll speak from myperspective, cheryl, you can
jump in.
Everyone's at a different pointof that.
Right, everyone's at adifferent point of this.
Is the one time that we have tolive, this is the one life and
some people realize that early,some people get a little bit
later when they finally realizethat and but that's okay, right,
(16:51):
it's it's.
We're trying to encourage andhelp 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 alife that is full for you?
It doesn't have to be.
You know, we talk about purposeand stuff, but at the same time
that's such a I don't know thatcan.
(17:12):
That can take you 10, 20, 30years.
If you really want to like diveinto.
Well, what's my purpose ofbeing here?
The great philosopher stillhaven't figured that one out.
So you know, do the things thatbring you joy, do the things
that you would regret not havingdone, and we just want to share
all of those stories and howpeople have gotten to that and
(17:32):
if it take it's taken them awhile, that's okay.
It doesn't mean it's over.
You're still here listening tous.
That means you're still aliveand have the opportunity to
continue forward and doing thethings that matter to you.
Speaker 3 (17:44):
Definitely, and I'm okay with mistakes.
I would rather not have regret.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Yes, yeah, yes, yeah, yeah.
So I'm on the slow learnerspectrum of where you are, and
it took me a long time torecognize that.
You know, and I and I come froma family of people that created
things with their hands.
You know, whether it was likeelectricians or people that
(18:10):
baked, or you know people thatsewed their own clothes, or you
know, or did their things.
You know, I always felt like Ihad to stay in a straight line
and now I'm finally starting tobranch out and it's been
terrifying, quite frankly, butit's also been very rewarding.
So I applaud you for being oneof the quick learners.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
I don't know about that, but I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
So what was the first piece of clothing you've ever
made?
Speaker 3 (18:42):
Oh, so I am a wholesale to retail business.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
Got you Okay.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
So I was shopping, so I was in New York.
I'll tell you my little word.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
Yeah, I tell this all the time.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
but whatever, it's, okay, that's fine.
I was in New York and I wasshopping just for myself,
because I love to shop, and so Iwalk into a store and I'm like
I want this skirt, Let me buy it.
And they're like no, you haveto buy like 10 or 12 or
something like that.
And I'm like what?
And they were like yeah, thisis a wholesale store.
(19:20):
Like, if you want to buysomething, you have to buy 10 or
12 of them.
And it was like ugh, Like inthat, I wanted that skirt so bad
.
it really really like it pissedme off like okay like I left and
I thought about that skirt allday, Like I'm like 24.
I think 20.
No, maybe 23.
And I thought about that skirtall day and I'm walking around
(19:42):
like ugh, that's so stupid.
And so then, like for the nextlike 24 hours, I was like I
think I could sell the other 11.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Like.
I just feel like.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
I could.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
You know, and that's just literally how it was born
for me, I was like 23 and Iimmediately 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 shouldget a website.
Then I got a website and then Iwas like I should get a store
(20:14):
and then I got a store.
So between 23 and 26, I builtit up until I wanted to get a
store.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
That's amazing, that's fantastic yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
So how did you land on the brand as it is now, right
?
So there's obviously brandstory, there's brand development
and just overall feel.
How is it that you landed onwhat it is that exists now and
has it changed over time?
Speaker 3 (20:44):
It's changed immensely over time.
So, like I said, when I firststarted doing that, I'm late 23.
So for one, my styles weredifferent completely.
I wore different things, yeah.
Then I was like, oh my God, youknow, I work back and I'm like,
oh my God, so OK, so it'schanged.
(21:07):
Just because for me it startedbecause I was really filling a
need, like the need was I didn'thave the clothes that I wanted
to have, and that was the needthat I was feeling to be like
super honest.
And so I was buying clothesthen that 18 to 25 year olds
would wear, and then, as Icontinued to grow up, it would
(21:29):
continue to grow and the styleswould change with me.
And so now I'm looking at likean avatar customer.
That's like 30 to 40.
Yeah, and in the next year Iturned 35.
And honestly, we're coming uparound a huge change.
Now my fall line is going to bedifferent than anything I've
(21:51):
ever done and we're actuallygoing to go even more like in
quality, in age, in demographicand everything.
So now we're going to belooking 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
(22:14):
going to go up.
So it's completely.
It always evolves with me andthat's one thing I love about it
.
I hope that it continues toalways evolve with me, Because
if I'm not evolving, I can'ttake it Like I have to change.
I have to keep little changesgoing all the time and grow, or
I feel like I'm dying, you know.
So it's definitely evolved andchanged and I, you know, started
(22:40):
it out as just something that Idid on the side and something
that wasn't my all and wasn'teverything to me, and then it
grew into this purpose and this,you know, fulfillment for me of
, you know, like a life changingthing for me.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
Yeah, and I mean it's incredible Because I mean, look
, if this is something thatyou're committed to and you get
to be able to change with it,right, you get to define and
decide what it is that existsand 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 getvery bored if I just kept doing
(23:20):
the same thing over and over andover again, as Cheryl knows.
So I feel that completely yeah.
So one of the things I'd loveto tap into now, and sort of
what seems like sort of a growtharea from from the branding
perspective, is also this thegive back piece, right, so the
(23:44):
the intention behind doingsomething for the good.
Also, where did that come from,when did that start and what
does that look like?
Speaker 3 (23:52):
So this is my favorite part.
So I really had this idea in2020.
I did not execute on it and Iwant to say this was my mistake.
Like for everybody, listening,execute quicker than I did for
sure With this.
Ok, like normally, I am a quicklike execute.
You know I execute very quicklyon ideas and stuff, but I had
(24:14):
this idea in 2020.
I did not execute as quickly asI wish I had, but thank
goodness.
So I finally did this year, andyou know what this is is.
The concept is that I was likeso when I first did it, I had
the same feeling I did just afew months ago when I decided,
no, I'm executing on this idea Ihad in 2020.
(24:35):
So I kept feeling the samefeeling for three years, which
is awful.
I should have done it before.
But I'm sitting there and I'mlike I'm doing this amazing
brand and this amazing thing.
It is me, it's of me, it'sdoing well, I'm promoting myself
.
Why do I feel not fulfilledabout it?
And you know I'm listening tolike mentors and podcasts and
(24:59):
things, and they're like ifyou're not fulfilled in what
you're doing, it's probablybecause 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 Igive?
Because I, because I woulddefinitely give my time.
So there's places in Phoenix Iwould like volunteer, like at
food banks and stuff like that,because that makes me feel good
(25:22):
about myself, like it's totallyselfish, I get it, it makes me
feel good about myself wheneverI do it.
And but I was like, how do Itranslate that to my business?
And so I'm like I'm sellingclothes, so it should have
something to do with clothing.
Yeah, like it just should.
And so then I was like, oh myGod, what if I just helped close
(25:44):
people, like people that needclothes?
And so, back when I had mystore, we had done clothing
drives before and I'm like Icould do stuff like this but do
it under an umbrella of anonprofit, a charity, and
continue to do it, not just doit one time a year.
So we jumped in really quickand we have a back to school
(26:06):
clothing drive right now.
It spans across four states.
Oh, wow, yeah.
And so we're doing it.
We've already, like I said,missed it for Maricopa a little
bit.
They started, but hey, if theyneed clothes, they need them.
So we're going to get themtheir clothes.
And then in Carolina they startback next week, right?
So I'll be going there nextweek.
We're going to go to like fourdifferent counties in North
(26:29):
Carolina, because I want to makesure to continue to give back
to my home and not not forgetthem either, because North
Carolina is a huge part of myheart and of my story and my
journey.
So I never want to forget NorthCarolina, and so I'm going to
go back there and we're going to, you know, just dispense all
the clothing there, and it justfeels really important to me to
(26:52):
give clothing and not just takemoney for clothing.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
So yeah, what are the four?
Speaker 3 (26:59):
states.
So Missouri, arizona, northCarolina and Alabama is what we
have right now.
I love it.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
How does one donate if they don't live in that state
?
Speaker 3 (27:13):
So what we're doing is we have, with the right word,
not like a representative.
So all of the places that Inamed, I have someone that I
know there like a representative.
They all tell us a drop-offlocation.
So most of them are businesses.
So let's say, for example, inGuilford County, which is in
(27:36):
North Carolina, I know someonewho has a vegan restaurant,
mike's Vegan Grill, and he'svolunteered to be a drop-off
location.
So then I have a friend in Troy, alabama.
He works at Troy University andthey have agreed to be a
drop-off location.
In Mecklenburg County,samaritan's Feet, which is
(27:59):
another nonprofit, has agreed tobe a drop-off location.
So basically we told anyonethat would listen hey, if you
want to represent your state oryour county, then please contact
us and we will give you theflyers, the tools, the promotion
(28:20):
and the location.
So whatever school is in needwith underfunding or anything
like that, crisis centers andanything like that, we'll
research all of that and thenthey drop it off for us.
They're basically like arepresentative for our nonprofit
(28:41):
.
Speaker 2 (28:42):
That's amazing.
Yeah, that's great.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
That's great, that you have a community that you
can reach out to in a veryexpanded circle of friends.
That's so nice Guys.
Speaker 3 (28:54):
when I started this, I thought I'd need two counties
the one that I live in and theone I'm from in North Carolina.
That's what I thought twocounties, and I really thought
that was good.
And then all of a sudden wehave seven counties and honestly
, we could have had more.
But I was like, okay, I thinkwe need to stop right now just
to make sure we do these right.
(29:15):
And then for Christmas we gotit, yeah, yep.
So it went even better than Icould have imagined.
Speaker 1 (29:22):
Yeah.
That's terrific, that'sterrific, yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:27):
Yeah, ought to keep in contact for Christmas time oh
.
Speaker 3 (29:30):
Christmas.
Because we did this, we alreadyknow Christmas is gonna be
great.
It's gonna be amazing.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
Yeah, no, it's amazing.
So now have you had the chanceto look back and feel more
fulfilled, now that this is anexistence that felt like an
empty piece for you?
Does that feeling morefulfilled now that you're in all
of these places?
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Absolutely.
I mean, there is that piece ofme that is happy that I'm giving
back and has that.
Okay, this is what I waslooking for a moment like not
take, take, take, but gives, andso, absolutely.
Now there's always a part of meI don't know if it's just me or
other people can relate to thisbut a lot of people are content
(30:21):
with their lives and I'mjealous of them.
I truly am.
They're content and that is socute.
Like I am not that person.
I am restless always and that'sjust who I am.
But I actually attribute it to.
It actually works out for me.
I think restless people arealways journeying for more.
They're always looking forbetter and doing more and they
(30:43):
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, ohyeah, I got this nonprofit and
now I'm completely content withmy life.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
Oh no, I didn't expect that.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
No, not at all no, but yeah, and I'm like I said,
I'm super jealous of people whoare like, oh, I'm just content
here and I'm like, well, I'm not, I'm gonna keep going, sorry.
Speaker 2 (31:07):
No, I understand, I totally understand.
And did you get a chance tocelebrate the fact that it
exists?
Cause I think that's one of thethings that some people forget.
Right, it's like okay, and I am100% guilty of this.
Right On same wavelength whereI'm like, oh, okay, I did this,
Okay, now, what's next?
Okay, now, what's next?
Before actually having justeven like a spooge of a moment
(31:30):
to say, wow, that was reallycool.
What an amazing thing to havebeen able to say I've done and
accomplished.
It doesn't have to be a bigparty for yourself or anything
like that, right, but just tolike acknowledge yourself.
Speaker 3 (31:41):
I will do that for you, because you told me to, but
I am going to mark that down onmy calendar.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
Cause.
Speaker 3 (31:50):
You know, I don't know if you know my personality,
but I have a calendar.
It's written.
I write down a checklist everyday, so I'm gonna write at the
end of it celebrate.
Speaker 2 (31:59):
Yeah, nothing wrong with that.
There's nothing wrong with that.
Right, you pour yourself aglass of champagne or sparkling
apple juice or whatever it isthat you.
Red wine?
Oh boy, Absolutely yeah, butthat, and just allow for
(32:21):
yourself to be excited thatyou've done something I will do,
that I promise, I promise, Iwill.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
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'min, let's talk about that.
Look at your website.
I really appreciate that.
There is size, inclusivity andbody positivity and all those
(32:49):
different things on your site.
If there was advice to give topeople in the I guess I want to
say like early twenties to earlythirties about positivity and
fashion, like what would that?
What would you give to them asadvice?
Speaker 3 (33:13):
I am, I'm a super advocate for you, asking
yourself do I feel good in it?
Do I feel like I look good init?
Well there you go.
That's what you need to know,because public opinion is not
your friend.
Like, public opinion does notmean as much as how do you feel
(33:34):
when you look at it, how youknow, 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 youfeel when you look at yourself,
and then that's what you shouldwear, and I'm a big advocate of
that.
And we talk about sizeinclusivity a lot, but we don't
(33:55):
talk about age and a lot ofwomen, the older they get, they
feel left out and they feelsilly and they feel like they
are dressing too young, andthat's something that I've also
come in contact with a lot, andI reject all of that.
I reject that.
(34:15):
I think that, no matter how oldyou are, you know you can wear
things that are sexy for yourage or to make you feel
beautiful, that make you feel asyou know, as young as you look
or whatever.
And yeah, so I say that youknow going off public opinion is
not what you should do, andgoing off how you feel in
(34:39):
something is the right way to go, for sure.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
Yeah, I saw something and it was like it's like you
know, they had those storieslike things to never wear after
you're 50.
There was something along thoselines.
It was like things that did notwear after you're 50, other
people's opinions.
Speaker 3 (34:55):
There you go yeah.
Speaker 2 (34:56):
I do like that.
Speaker 1 (34:58):
That's the one Exactly Because like I don't
know.
Speaker 3 (35:01):
I don't know how I'm going to dress.
I have no idea.
But I can guarantee you itprobably won't be the norm, it's
probably not going to be theaverage, so I'm ready for that
already.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
I love it, it's great , you know.
Yeah, oh my gosh, it's.
How is it already this time?
Speaker 3 (35:25):
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 (35:29):
That's what we keep telling people it's not really
that big of a deal, like we justhave fun and talk.
Speaker 1 (35:34):
It's so much fun it just flew, by which has happened
.
Right.
Speaker 2 (35:42):
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 hereis do you haven't heard to the
end yet?
So now we get to surprise you.
No, so we have this thingcalled the this is happening
question.
Right, as you have many timeslived through this, you decided
(36:05):
to move and you said this ishappening.
You've decided to buy a storeand say this is happening.
Not totally sure how it's gonnaget there, but you felt it in
your heart.
You felt it in a way that youknew that that was the piece of
what was going to be your lifefor the next however long.
That was Right, and so itdoesn't necessarily have to be
(36:25):
jumping off of a building orlike doing anything crazy along
those lines, but sometimes wehave in our hearts that there's
something coming next for us andit just feels like without
doing that, I will not becomplete within the next phase
of my life.
Do you have anything in yourthis is happening heart that you
(36:46):
feel is coming next for you?
Speaker 3 (36:49):
So you mean something that is gonna change everything
for me, or is I mean just?
Speaker 2 (36:55):
a way that you're approaching life.
Are you gonna do?
You think you might wanna openanother store?
Do you think you wanna go anddo more speaking engagements,
like, is there a piece of whatyou're doing now or personally?
Right, it can be personally.
We have some folks that havetalked about saying I need to
say no more often cause I don'tdo that, and that was sort of
(37:17):
their resolution.
I don't like to call themresolutions, right, but it's the
next thing that you feel likeit's on your heart that you have
to live out.
Speaker 3 (37:26):
Yeah.
So I mean I had a hate to dothis, but, like, right now it is
a human mission, it is what'shappening for me.
It is bigger to me even thanDrea Dare, which is my baby, and
for me it's like bigger thanthat.
Now I've seen how fast it'sgone and I wanna make it bigger
(37:48):
and bigger and bigger and so for, like, so for that.
I want more of my life to beabout nonprofit.
I want more of my life to begiving back and less taking, and
to me that's happening andthat's beautiful.
For me, it makes me feel likeglowy and new and bright, and
(38:10):
you know what I mean.
It gives me something to lookforward to, and I'm not just
thinking about marketing andsocial media and all of these
things.
I'm thinking about how to takewhat I've gotten and make
someone else's life better andlike for me, right now, that's
(38:32):
what's happening.
You know that's my big thingright now.
I hope that answers yourquestion?
Speaker 2 (38:38):
It totally does.
It's been on your heart for along time, for many years.
It's been on your heart for along time for many years.
Speaker 3 (38:44):
Yeah, and it's just, and that's why I wanna say again
, I wanna double down on, likeanybody 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, youknow things take time and
possibly there's a reason thatit took me this long, and you
(39:04):
know I'll do it better now thanmaybe I would have then.
I've got more context now, etcetera.
But for me, that's what'sreally on my heart right now,
more than even my brand, whichthere are things happening there
too.
Like I said, you know we'regoing up in quality and in style
and everything for fall, butwhat's really on my heart is
(39:26):
this nonprofit.
Speaker 2 (39:29):
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 launchfor people that want to get into
that Fall line is going?
Speaker 3 (39:40):
to launch October 1st .
Okay, great.
And so we're doing completely anew website.
We have web developers workingon it right now.
They're redoing the entirewebsite.
Oh my God, it's like.
It's like DreaDare 3.0, becauseI've already done it twice, so
it's got to be 3.0.
So, yeah, 3.0.
(40:01):
And we're completely redoingeverything so that it matches
the quality of the clothing andthat the content we put on
social media is going to be evenbetter quality, just like the
clothing, and that we get acrossthat message.
And we're launching an entiremarketing campaign.
Speaker 1 (40:22):
Everything starts October 1st, so that's fantastic
, yeah, and we do, too, knowsomething about being excited
about a rebrand launch, so we'llbe hoping to talk about that
very soon.
Speaker 3 (40:36):
So you guys are yeah.
Speaker 1 (40:39):
Awesome, very excited about that.
So we're excited for you as youcontinue to evolve and grow,
and also appreciate that you areclothing the world in kindness,
especially those seven countiesthat you have impacted.
Speaker 3 (40:54):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (40:55):
Kendra.
Where can people connect withyou?
So?
Speaker 3 (41:00):
online.
Yeah, so, like the website isjust DreaDarecom, I love to
personally connect with peopleon Instagram.
Right now, instagram is whereyou know it's popping and that's
what we're doing is Instagram.
So it's DreaDare and I'm sureyou'll write it, but it's
D-R-I-A-D-A-I-R and really, Idon't know if you guys noticed,
that's just my name.
So, okay, because a lot ofpeople I figured it out.
(41:22):
Yes, yeah, they're like wheredid you get that?
I'm like, you've been my friendfor 20 years.
Like what?
Speaker 2 (41:28):
Have you said my name ever?
Oh yeah, that's perfect.
Speaker 1 (41:33):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
So it's just my name and I was just looking for a
unique name that I would neverhave to argue with someone over
and say, no, I had this onefirst and so yeah.
But Instagram is my favorite,and just underscore at DreaDare,
underscore so that's where I'mat, and then my personal one too
(41:57):
.
I'm happy to connect withanybody there.
It's just at kindrea,underscore, go dare, and I would
love to make friends andconnect with you.
Speaker 2 (42:07):
She's amazing.
We've already had a really goodtime hanging out this evening.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 3 (42:12):
Yes, it's off the podcast.
I'm down for that.
Yeah, totally For real.
Speaker 1 (42:18):
Awesome.
Speaker 2 (42:20):
So it's so funny how much, like I think most of the
hosts are, the guests that we'vehad were like no, can we just
be friends now, right?
Speaker 3 (42:28):
Really nice, so we can just have fun.
Speaker 2 (42:29):
Girls yes.
Speaker 3 (42:30):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (42:33):
Oh my goodness, I love it so much.
Speaker 3 (42:35):
It's been so kind.
I really appreciate it.
This is a blast.
Speaker 1 (42:39):
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.
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