Meet Kera L Fears | CEO, Konfident Diva LLC, Women’s Empowerment and Beauty Brand

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kera L Fears and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kera L, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had been in a Leadership role with a Fortune 500 company for close to 18 years, but still not feeling fulfilled in life, especially during the pandemic. A close friend of mine encouraged me to go after what I was passionate about and I love inspiring women to love themselves and look their best. This was the beginning of Konfident Diva LLC – Women’s Empowerment and Beauty Brand. Since the moment I made the choice to make a difference and an impact to empower women everywhere, I have not and I will not look back. It’s my passion, and I know I was created for this.
     

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been with my current employer for 25 years, I started out as a rep in a call center for 7 years, and the Leadership team began seeing me as a leader and a mentor to my peers, which I never could have imagined. So much so, that I was promoted to a Supervisor and remained in that role for the last 18 years. I accomplished some amazing victories as a Supervisor, being recognized as Supervisor of the Month twice and Supervisor of the Year once, which was amazing. I am most proud of my leadership style because I am a true bonified people leader. I learn the goal and end targets, I motivated and coach my team with what needs to be done, and I support and coach them the entire way there to make sure we succeed. Because when they win – I win. I am a strong coach because of the feedback that I provide, in a way that celebrates what they do well, and also showing them How to improve in areas that they are not. This has been my success formula and I am most proud of have my teams always perform in the top 3 in our centers consistently. People will work for you when you respect them, recognize them and reassure them. It’s a win – win! My leadership skills within my company have definitely poured over into my entrepreneurial journey! While I do not have a team working with Konfident Diva – yet – I am very well prepared for when that day comes. In the meantime, I will continue to rock solo, promote my brand, and keep inspiring women to believe in and love themselves from the inside out. And even if they feel doubtful or cant embrace being confident, I always say keep wearing our inspirational apparel until your do believe it! It will come

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well. first. I myself am not a WIlmington native, I was born and lived in Youngstown Ohio and Cleveland, Ohio my entire life. In 2014 my company relocated me to Wilmington NC when our Ohio center closed permanently. So, to be honest, I am still learning my way around the city believe it or not. However, it’s always the beach for me once it warms up. I just like to take a chair, some music, maybe take a friend to chat, and just relax. Fort Fisher is my favorite spot, its much more private. There are a few restaurants that I have to take my folks to when they come visit. We love seafood (my family and friends) and Cape Fear Seafood is one of our faves! I always try to schedule an outing like the wineries for wine tasting (Duplin in Rose Hill is a YES!) or to Wine and Design for sip and paint, always so fun! Recently I discovered a place in Mayfaire Shopping Center here in Wilmington called Pinspiration – where they offer several artsy crafty activities for a few folks or groups! I spent my birthday there this year having a candle making party with 15 of my closest friends. I will be going back. Lastly, just walking Downtown Wilmington is a must do when my friends are in town. Theres so much to see, lots of good restaurant options to go eat, and you simply cannot leave Wilmington without walking into Kilwens ice cream, the smell of the fresh sugar cones being made will surely bring you in! While I know I have not explored even the half of what’s in my new hometown. I can say that Wilmington is a great city, and I enjoy living here

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have several people that I can truly ShoutOut for being such integral parts of my story, but I will only share a few. I want a moment to shout out my Pastor Daniel Cook because I remember meeting with him, and just happened to share my business vision with him – I was terrified. But the more I explained it and perked up with happiness, spoke with confidence, he told me he believed in me and that my business is going to do amazing things, and he was one of the 1st to invest in my business – in faith! He spoke truth – and Konfident Diva is growing and doing awesome! Entrepreneurship was complete unchartered territory for me, coming from only knowing corporate know how, so I asked for help – a lot! What I was blessed to have on my journey were individuals who would willingly offer their assistance to me, in whatever capacity I needed, without feeling like I was bothering them.
Special Shout Out to Megan Daneille, CEO of Make Her Public for taking me by the hand and reassuring me that prior to my launch, she would walk every step with me, and she did just that.
I have to recognize another amazing business woman, Lynne Jones, CEO of LJD Designs who, even with a nonstop schedule, found time to meet up with me, show me how to do things, she dropped knowledge on me, do’s and donts and that is why I am so appreciative because people do not have to be kind.
Lastly I have to ShoutOut Chakeema Quintana and Atiba Johnson at CHANNEL in Wilmington, an organization that supports and provides free resources to small minority businesses. It makes a difference when they believe in You and Your vision, the support is beyond real and I love ALL of my business besties. I stay around them and in touch with them often still. Great support system for sure!

Website: www.konfidentdiva.com

Instagram: @konfidentdivallc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/konfidentdiva/

Other: TikTok: Konfident Diva