Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Clay-Fenderson.
Hi Karen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
After retiring early as an educator, for over 20 years, due to a car accident injury, I thought I would be in the hallways of schools for the rest of my life.
But, God had plans for me that I never dreamed would lead me to studio sets to filming out of the country and partnering with some of the biggest brands on the planet, Procter and Gamble, Bayer, Sprouts Amazon, Amazon Fresh and so many more. I never dreamed I would film tv projects with my children or ever have a film production company.
In the beginning, the pivot to retiring was tough. However, I adjusted and focused on raising our children. In the midst of that, my three children Brookelynn, Brayden and Bailey Rae began acting.
My husband, Wes and the children encouraged me to begin blogging and creating content on our social media.
During Covid, our youngest child, is a true foodie, with her curiosity to making her own “firework show of flavor “ to our food. Bailey Rae Foods was born. Bailey Rae Foods first of many products is our line of seasonings being sold on Amazon. We wanted to be sure we partner with an organization we could support monthly that Bailey Rae choose, No Kid Hunger.
The brainchild behind all the branding of our businesses is our oldest daughter, Brookelynn. My son Brayden is the product tastier and makes sure our financial goals are intact.
Wes and I believe in allowing our children to sing their songs. We are the “Doo Whoop.” parents. Therefore, they have been the main influence to our successful business development of Fenderson Enterprises and FEI Media LLC.
I am accomplished with three Master’s degrees and was a part of leadership in my Education career. But, I choose the betterment of my health and family over prestige, titles or money. It was such a battle for me, the guilt of not doing more and the guilt of doing more missing things that were important to our children.
However, after the advice of my children. I found the solution was to do business with my family. As a wife and mother, the guilt vanished and creativity began to flow freely. Our blogs, the food brand, tv projects and social influence is flourishing.
It brings me so much joy when I listen to my husband and children talk about our next steps in our faith, businesses, real estate, stocks and life.
The life skills, time and doing family business has answered my prayers. Raising three children into their divine greatness is our business too. We all have our own perspective on what success looks or feels like.
For me, I am beyond grateful that I have more time and still do business with my family. Wes and I are rising to our maximum greatness as we raise our three children into their greatness.
FEI Media LLC entails our blogs, film production, consulting and courses.
Fenderson Enterprises Inc entails Bailey Rae Foods and all our tangible products.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road for me. After the devastating news that my doctors recommended I retire. It was tough for me to believe it was true until one day on a school campus a flight of concrete stairs near a mishap. That was the day I retired. I had no idea what was next for me. I simply focused on raising our children into their greatness. Honestly, I choose not to focus on me.
But, deep within, I knew I was playing small and hiding behind motherhood.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an influential mom lifestyle blogger, executive producer and CEO of Fenderson Enterprises and FEI Media LLC.
As a family, we create content for social media, blogs and tv projects.
I am most proud of my relationship with my husband and children in building generational wealth. I am beyond proud of having ridiculous faith in God to allow my Generation Z and Alpha children have a voice in all aspects of developing our family businesses. I am super proud to have Bailey Rae foods on Amazon and we are working on it being in stores soon.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is spending time with my mother in her garden. She grew her own vegetables and she would make her own salsa. It’s funny how those moments in the farm-to-table has led me to help my children develop their food brand. She taught me farm to table. My dad would take me with him to his office and I watched him closely. That developed my mindset of leadership, I have so many precious moments but their actions are with me always. I am who I am today because of my parents who were married for over 35 years and now they are my angels in Heaven watching over me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.feicreate.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/raisinggreatnessofficial
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/raisinggreatnessblog
- Twitter: www.Twitter.com/raisinggreat3
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCRApBjKfJ7KB338g1zWHnZQ
- Other: www.raisinggreatness.net www.thebaileyraeshow.com. www.Brooklyninthehaus.com
Image Credits
Doreen Stone Photography for the professional headshot.
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