Today we’d like to introduce you to Kacie Brennell.
Kacie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always loved to write, and I’ve always loved having an audience even more. When I found myself discouraged and dissatisfied in a job that did not fulfill me, I knew I had to get back to doing what I love – communicating and connecting. One day, while I was working from home, I realized I had spent too many days in a row hating what I was doing and resenting myself for not making a change. I thought I would be a lot happier if I could figure out a way to work for myself, but I was unclear on what steps to take first. That’s when I decided that the best place to start would be by forming relationships with women who own their own business. I figured I could learn from them and hopefully gain more clarity around my own path. That same day, I made a Squarespace account and started brainstorming like crazy. I sent several emails to women all over San Diego asking if I could interview them to promote their business and share their journeys on my website in an effort to inspire other women to make life happen for them instead of letting life happen to them. I made several meaningful connections and learned countless valuable lessons that finally gave me the courage to quit my day job. The women’s stories inspired me to practice what I preach. Now, just a few weeks after, I quit. I continue to use Kacie Connects as a way to connect and inspire women to build the lives they’ve always wanted for themselves while I try to do the same.
Has it been a smooth road?
If there is anything I’ve learned from the interviews I’ve done, it’s that no one’s journey is ever smooth. Life is full of ups and downs and inexplicable moments that make you want to scream sometimes. Luckily, Kacie Connects has given me the gift of perspective. Having so many examples of persistent women who have come before me is calming and inspiring. When I’m going through a rough patch, like when I was so unhappy at a dead-end job for two years, I think of the women I’ve interviewed and how they overcame. I remember that everything is temporary, and even the worst experiences provide valuable lessons.
My biggest struggle so far has been realizing that my life was starting to stray away from my strengths and natural talents and gravitate toward the corporate hustle. I somehow got lost in the pressure of what I “should” be doing or how much money I “should” be made by a certain age that I sort of lost sight of what I wanted for myself. The wake-up call I had, although frightening, was the best moment of my life. I realized that I was made for more, and I had to do something about it. Now, the struggle has shifted a bit. I’m no longer resenting myself for staying in a bad situation, but rather struggling to figure out how I can live the life I’ve always wanted for myself. This is the best kind of struggle, though, because it means I’ve realized what I like and what I’m good at, and I’m going after it, even when the path isn’t clear.
My advice to young women is to do as much as you can to learn about yourselves early in life. Do whatever you can to become self-aware and to gain clarity around what you like and don’t like. Expose yourself to new places, people, and experiences, and take notes on what you love and what bores you. Use that information to guide your decision-making process. If you know you hate data analysis or working in Excel, don’t apply to those jobs at the popular tech companies, even though it pays well. You’ll be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t stay true to your soul. On the flipside, if you know what you love or what makes you come alive, follow that relentlessly, even when you have no idea where to go or how to make money. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to meet women doing something that interests you so you can learn from them. Remember, no one gets to where they are by themselves.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Kacie Connects story. Tell us more about the business.
Kacie Connects is all about sharing the raw truth of women who make intentional decisions about the lives they want for themselves. Yes, the idea is promoting their business, but perhaps more important is the story behind the brand. My job is to seek out women in San Diego who are building something out of nothing. When I tell their stories, I tell readers that they too can make choices in their lives that take them closer to fulfilling their purpose. Beyond the lessons I share with readers, I also make meaningful connections between the women I interview. Through these connections, I am building a strong network of women who can count on each other for business advice, strategy, collaboration, and friendship. This way, we can create a community in San Diego where women feel empowered to make decisions in their lives that more closely align with what they want for themselves rather than just what society expects.
What sets me apart is the deeply personal and relatable service I provide. I meet with women business owners individually and invite them to a coffee or happy hour and listen as they share their journeys with me. I truly enjoy getting to know each and every person I meet, and I work hard to make meaningful connections between them all so they can help each other with whatever challenge they might be facing at that moment. I am really proud of the relationships I’ve built thus far, and nothing makes me happier than seeing women connect after the interviews. Growing a community of entrepreneurial women in San Diego is so satisfying!
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I have found a lot of inspiration from Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday Podcast because she talks about finding ways to live the life your soul intended for you. She uses her interviews to convey information to her followers, and that’s essentially what I’m trying to do with Kacie Connects. Her episode with Ainslie Macleod, author of The Instruction, inspired me to read his book. It’s all about understanding your soul’s purpose and then using that information to guide the decisions you make in life. I’m also reading The Lean Startup by Eric Ries right now, as I hopefully figure out a way to build my own company.
The next biggest source of inspiration for me is Beyonce. Her music is like therapy for me. I think I listened to Freedom on repeat for weeks before I finally found the courage to quit my job. I also just got married and her song XO was the song playing when I walked down the aisle. I’m going to see her in concert in a few weeks and I cannot wait!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kacieconnects.com
- Email: kaciebrennell@gmail.com
- Instagram: @kacieconnects
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