Meet Kesha Rainey | CEO & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kesha Rainey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kesha, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My original vision for my brand was empowering women through bold fashion jewelry that reflected the importance of self love. A brand that affirmed that as you invest in your self care, you are also allowing yourself to stand in your truth. And over time, my vision evolved as standing in your truth day in and day out is easier to do in community with other women supporting you. When women stand together, there is nothing they are unable to achieve. Contrary to mainstream media, when women are pitted against each other nothing good ever comes of it. Simply Charmed Greek transforms the social narrative of sorority life amongst the BIPOC community driving social innovation through our collections. Oftentimes sororities are perceived as social clubs overwhelmed with discourse due to feuding sorority sisters. Simply Charmed Greek redefines that narrative by using sisterhood and women empowerment as the cornerstone of every collection. Our purpose is beyond just generating profit but repositioning sisterhood at the forefront of sorority life in the retail landscape. Being able to drive social norms through social product innovation allows us to maintain the legacy and tradition of each set of founders that created each of these distinguished organizations. Using non-traditional Greek paraphernalia we are able to help build and strengthen relationships between sorority sisters in every season of life. We aren’t seeking to be apart of just one moment but journeying alongside our customers as they experience life together.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was inspired to be an entrepreneur as a junior in high school and to think that that was over ten years ago is still mind boggling. As a junior in high school, I needed one more course to fill in my schedule and at the time I had no idea that this one decision would change the trajectory of the aspirations I had for my life. That course was an entrepreneurship course that was sponsored by YesCarolina. It is a non-profit organization focused on empowering students through entrepreneurship and equipping them with the skillsets they need to operate a successful business. Given the demographics of the county I grew up in, the primary professions many pursued were in the medical field or education. However, this course challenged that status quo because it exposed our class to another path that was possible if we were willing to do the work. This course required students to understand the basics of entrepreneurship from marketing, finances, and product development. With an emphasis on those focal areas, not only was I able to walk away with a business plan but also able to pitch during a state wide competition. And as I sat in the competition, surrounded by young entrepreneurs full of life and energy, I didn’t hear my name called to come to the stage, but an inner voice that assured me that being a business owner was attainable. I did one of the scariest things and took my wildest dreams from a concept to reality and presented it to an audience of strangers.

It was that initial investment in my development as a student that fuels the foundation of Simply Charmed Greek’s philanthropic pillars that were curated to serve our community and pour into the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
It’s only right we head to Charleston, SC , our old stomping grounds to walk down memory lane! And we are all extreme foodies! And the first day is meant for Brunch and Shopping! Brunch destination is Halls Chophouse for great food and mimosas! And of course after brunch we are headed to Market Street for some shopping with local vendors and some keepsakes for the trip. And then for lunch at VIP Bistro for R&B vibes and fresh seafood. And to close the night we are headed to Kaminskys for dinner and hitting King Street to visit Republic. The second day we are headed to Toast to get the day started with breakfast. And then headed to Firefly for a tour and live music. And to close out the day, we are headed to the Brazilian steakhouse downtown and dancing the night away at Ink and Ivy.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As an entrepreneur, I have to shout out my community that is filled with family, sorority sisters, and mentors. My family keeps me grounded and have been there from the very beginning encouraging me to always keep going. My sorority sisters are my cheerleaders and my biggest teachers in how to show up in a healthy way in all relationships in my life. My mentors who continue to guide me and instill values and lessons learned so I can achieve new levels which will increase my capacity to give back into my community. Their support year after year is the reason I can stand here having been an entrepreneur for five years.

Website: https://www.simplycharmedgreek.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/simplycharmedgreek?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Youtube: https://youtu.be/3u0bhNB_nKY

Image Credits
Heacox Creative Co.