Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Francis.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story begins as a child in North St. Louis City. I was always drawn to music, fashion, and creating. I knew from a young age that I was meant to stand out from the crowd. I would spend all my time drawing and sewing clothes for my Barbie and Bratz dolls. On other days, I would be in guitar lessons and teaching myself piano. I loved watching Kimora Lee Simmons: Life in the Fab Lane and America’s Next Top Model. I also started my first blog dedicated to hobbies and sharing things that interested me like my favorite music videos and songs. I dreamt of using my talents to become an entrepreneur once I got older. Once I learned what an entrepreneur was, I knew that was what I was destined to be, and that’s how the idea for my business, Kadiskreations, was born.
Kadiskreations (pronounced Kay-dees-creations) is a name my mother created before I was born. It combines my grandmother’s name, Katherine, whom I am named after, and my mother’s name, Diane, which is also my middle name. She originally used the name to share her poems, but now I am continuing the legacy by using it for my writing as well.
I spent my teen years doing well in school, but my mind constantly stayed on creating. Whether it was jewelry making, learning an instrument, customizing my clothes, making vision boards, or learning music production, I wanted to do everything. I was very inspired by artists such as Pharrell, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Aaliyah, Solange, and Michael Jackson. They were the epitome of success to me because they knew how to combine all of their interests from fashion to music into one career, and I wanted to be just like that.
When it was time to move on to college, I struggled with knowing exactly what I wanted to do. I had so many interests, from fashion and designing to business and writing; I couldn’t narrow them down to just one major. I thought since my main interest at the time was fashion, I should go into fashion merchandising. Although I enjoyed it, I quickly realized it may not be the best option for me. So I switched to Business Administration, and everything started coming together. I had so many business ideas, and this degree would help me build the foundation to finally start one. In the end, I graduated with my associate’s degree in Business Administration as Valedictorian and later earned my bachelor’s degree magna cum laude.
During this time, I started to take my passion for writing seriously. I wrote for popular college websites that helped to inspire young women by giving them style and life advice. I also interned for a digital media company that produced entertainment and culture analysis. This is how I discovered my true passion for creating inspirational content. I also officially relaunched my blog, Kadiskreations, dedicated to fashion, music, and culture. I knew I finally wanted to create my own platform to share my interests with no limitations. This is something I didn’t always have the privilege of doing when writing for other publications.
Unfortunately, creative jobs don’t always pay the bills right away, and so much of the work is unpaid, so I decided to use my skills to work in another interest of mine — luxury retail. This experience helped me grow as a person, gain confidence, work on my social anxiety, and, of course, increase my knowledge of fashion. Working in retail isn’t easy at all, but it does help you to grow and learn to work through difficult situations (and sometimes people). Although I knew deep down that kind of environment wasn’t for me, I was still grateful for the opportunities I received from it and the people I met.
Today, I’ve grown my blog into Kadiskreations Magazine, a digital publication that combines my love for fashion, music, and culture with my passion for empowering young women. Now, my childhood dreams of using my creativity and talent to become an entrepreneur are slowly becoming a reality.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of my biggest struggles have been working on my discipline and consistency, while also learning to let go of expectations when it comes to receiving support for my work. There are some days when my mood can be low, and I don’t have the energy to create. On other days, something I worked very hard on doesn’t get the results I thought it would, and I start to feel discouraged.
I have to remember not to see these moments as failures, but as practice. With my content, I now figure out what I can improve and try again. Nine times out of ten, it ends up working out even better than before. On the days when I’m not feeling my best, I have to remind myself that I’m only one person and I’m allowed to take a break.
Sometimes you may feel like you’re losing momentum when a post does well, and you feel like you need to move on to the next thing to keep your readers’ attention. But you have to prioritize your mental health too. You can’t always focus on the likes that your content gets, but rather on the impact it can make. I know my content will receive the support I feel it deserves along the way.
We’ve been impressed with Kadiskreations Magazine, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Kadiskreations Magazine is a digital publication created to empower younger women through style, beauty, travel, career, and life advice. We share editorials, features, mood boards, and inspirational stories to encourage women to follow their dreams. We’re based in St. Louis, but my goal is to reach women worldwide.
What sets us apart is that we’re creating a space where women feel like they can achieve anything. I want our readers to feel supported and find something they can relate to in every area of life. If someone ever discourages them or makes them feel like they can’t achieve something, I want readers to look at our content and say, “See, I can do it!” Whether they find inspiration from a mood board encouraging them to go after their childhood aspirations, a post highlighting a powerful woman, a video about a local experience they can try, or an article about the most inspirational moments of the week, there is something for everyone to motivate them to keep going. At a time when digital spaces for young women and teens are limited, Kadiskreations Magazine is here to help fill that gap and create a place where readers can feel seen.
Our comment sections are filled with women and even men hyping each other up, giving props to the figures we highlight, and sharing words of encouragement. It creates such a positive environment. That was my goal, and I’m now seeing it come to fruition. I’m proud of using my platform to transform my challenging experiences in life into something meaningful for others. If there was a time when I lacked confidence or learned a difficult life lesson, I channeled those experiences back into my magazine. My hope is that readers find the encouragement I needed during those moments and feel motivated to never give up, no matter what.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice is to never give up. I know it sounds generic, but it’s something you have to constantly remind yourself. Working on something, even if it’s just a little every day, is one step closer than doing nothing. For example, instead of writing a full article, you can just write out the title for now and work on a little each day. Or, if something isn’t working out exactly how you want it to, take a break and come back to it later. There have been so many things I had sitting in my drafts that ended up being successful because I came back to them with a different outlook on how to complete them.
Also, never stop learning. Every day, I’m still finding ways to work on my craft, whether it’s reading a new book, taking a class, networking, or attending a workshop. Lastly, try to keep a positive mindset during the hard times. This is something I’m still working on. I’m a big believer in manifestation, affirmations, journaling, and prayer. Doing these things helps me stay focused on my goals instead of dwelling on negative thoughts or self-doubt. I’ve learned to stay focused on my long-term success and not rush the outcome because of my temporary feelings.
Enjoy the process always!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kadiskreationsmag.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kadismagazine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kadiskreationsmag
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinedianefrancis/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kadismagazine
