Inspiring Conversations with Janice Kenyatta of Janice Kenyatta, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janice Kenyatta.

Hi Janice, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a retired educator/school administrator and now an author. I had a long and successful career in education and retired at 65 years old in January 2019. The first year I traveled the country with my now ex-husband. One year later in January 2020 I received a breast cancer diagnosis that was discovered through a routine mammogram. I was 66 years old at this time. Fortunately, the cancer, though potentially serious, was discovered at an early stage, and I had a lumpectomy to remove it and the necessary treatments to ensure and keep it from spreading.

From that point on, my life took a nose dive. I separated from my husband in 2021 after being married for 34 years. We sold our beautiful home that I had poured so much love into over the 18 years of building and living in it. We moved into our respective separate new places, and I began to live a single life at the age of 68. The divorce became final in April of 2022. It took a while to adjust to my new lifestyle. I did have my pity party, but support from close family, friends, and a great therapist enabled me to embrace my new life and to become happy and fulfilled single woman again!

Something miraculously happened during this time period that substantially changed the trajectory for my goals and aspirations. While clearing out the attic when moving from our sold home, my ex-husband called to inform me that he discovered a manuscript of a children’s story I wrote about 25 years ago, entitled “Just As It Is!” He found it in a box that included some of his items. Because life got in the way over the years of working and raising two daughters, I had forgotten that I completed the entire story. My ex thought the story, with a message still relevant today, would make a great children’s book, and he encouraged me to tweak it a little and to publish it immediately!

Just As It Is! became an immediate hit with parents and their children. I designed a doll in the image of the main character, a 48 pc puzzle in the image of the book’s cover, and I have now published the book in Spanish to provide inclusivity for my readers so that everyone can be exposed to the book’s important message of empowering ALL CHILDREN to love themselves and to RESPECT the differences in others from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. This is a message I am passionate about, and I believe its impact will resonate more effectively with young children before they get into the larger society.

Under my business name, Janice Kenyatta, LLC, my life’s purpose is to continue promoting Just As It Is! in schools, at book signings, and on social media whenever I can. Oh, did I mention that Just As It Is! has already won 5 different awards within the last year? Positively shaping the minds of young children has become my passion and my purpose every day. To this day, I often wonder if there would have been a Just As It Is! children’s book if I had not separated, divorced, and sold my home.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The major challenges I face during this journey is to maintain confidence in myself that I could and would successfully promote my children’s book without giving up! Additionally, promoting your work effectively can become quite expensive. As an author or small business owner, it is crucial to maintain a social media presence, whether that exposure is large or small. With this knowledge, it can be quite challenging to effectively optimize the use of the array of social media platforms available. I have spent a significant amount of money to hire social media experts to help me promote my book and associated items. Lastly, it is imperative to be aware of potential scammers in this arena who are ready and willing to take your money.

Passion for the work I do with children keeps me motivated to continue my work despite these challenges!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I have authored two books and contributed to an Anthology that focuses on dealing with loss and grief in our lives. I love to write (without the use of AI), and I love empowering children and adults to feel good about themselves and inspiring them to treat others the way they want to be treated!

As a small business owner, I am a strong advocate for delivering quality customer service to my customers. When customers support me monetarily or through support and encouragement of my work. They deserve the best possible service from me! This attitude is a carry over from 42 years of experience as a Business Education teacher and subsequently as a district-wide supervisor of teachers in over 31 different career and technical programs! My success was always based on the fact that I am generous in exhibiting genuine care and appreciation for all of my constituents. This was told to me by many former students and teachers with whom I have engaged! Having this positive impact on others is the most rewarding part of my work!

I am also most proud of my children’s book, Just As It Is! along with its important message to all adults and the children in their lives. In a divided country and world as it is today, my prayer and hope is that our children can make a positive change, because they ARE our future! I consider this book as part of my legacy and a small but important contribution to humanity.

Lastly, I am proof that with passion, purpose, and determination, you are never too old to fulfill the desires of your heart!

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
There are positive and negative risks in life. Darting across the street in front of fast moving cars is taking a negative risk. Going back to school at a later age, starting a new business or job, or writing a book, are positive risks, with potential positive outcomes.

I believe taking some risks in your life is necessary in order to carve out a better life related to your personal, professional, and career goals. Even if you are not successful, you have not failed. While we may not see it at that time, this is a stepping stone and learning experience that can only aid you in making more sound decisions in other ventures.

I have learned that one of the keys to taking a risk is to do your research. Gather as much information as you can about what you want to do as well as network and communicate with others who have made similar choices. Doing this will provide some sort of foundation to help you can make an intelligent decision.

I definitely consider myself a risk taker. I embrace change, and I feel confident that I would not be where I am today if I hadn’t.

Pricing:

• Just As It Is! Hardcover, English/Spanish $23.99
• Just As It Is! Paperback, English $16.00
• Plush Abena Doll. $20.00
• Just As It Is! 48 pc puzzle $10.00

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janicekenyatta
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janicekenyatta
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/janice-kenyatta-10511137
• Other: keny8530 on TikTok