Meet Michelle O’Kennard | Branding, Communications, & Marketing Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle O’Kennard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
If it were not for the outcomes of the risks I’ve taken over the years, I wouldn’t be standing here today. I believe taking calculated risks can make a positive impact on the quality of your life and professional career quickly. In my professional journey, I have taken risks that have resulted in both lessons and success. Learning about myself in the process is the true gift taking risks brings, and for that, I am grateful.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Thee M.O.gul Mag. is a monthly digital publication dedicated to amplifying the stories of minority small business owners, entrepreneurs, and executive professionals making impactful strides in their respective industries. Launched in February, 2023, Thee M.O.gul Mag. was created to increase awareness and expand the digital footprint of every M.O.gul we feature, thus increasing their overall brand visibility. We currently have been blessed with an awesome team of collaborators and partners, including our Editor In Chief (myself), 4 writers, media partnerships with Hit USA Radio and The Blueprint Media Company, and a Sales Director.

To date, Thee M.O.gul Mag. has quickly garnered a global audience, with more than 9,ooo readers, located 10+ countries outside of the United States. Thee M.O.gul Mag. recently received in global recognition coming all the way from the United Kingdom, honoring us as “2023 Best Digital Magazine” and naming myself as the “2023 Best Digital Magazine CEO” honoree.

Upon releasing my first issue and officially launching the digital publication, I wanted to honor my late mother’s memory by establishing our official start date of February 15 on her birthday. My mother was a writer herself and has authored several original written works. She has been a consistent inspiration to start my writing journey to satisfy my need to collaborate, create, educate, and help minorities in the business community grow and expand.

As an experienced minority small business owner myself for multiple years, both my clients and myself found it challenging to earn the media attention and support needed to boost our business’s visibility in the market place with a small or non-existent marketing/media budget in place. Thee M.O.gul Mag. is proud to highlight our featured M.O.guls at no cost to them, giving them the earned media attention they deserve.

Currently serving in the corporate sector as a diversity-focused Marketing Director and Business Development Specialist, I understand the unique challenges minority businesses face and have created a publication that addresses their needs by providing inspirational stories from M.O.guls that look like them, giving them direct access to fresh monthly resources to help grow their businesses, and celebrate the success of the everyday minority entrepreneur, business owner, and executive professional working hard to serve their clients and communities.

Over the years of entrepreneurship and small business ownership, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that it is never too late to live the life you envision and desire. And this applies to our businesses, also. Our success is not contingent upon others, rather, it’s about our approach to the challenges in front of us and the ability to tap into the resilience within to keep us going and become overcomers.

The most important part of my story that I feel the world needs to know is that Thee M.O.gul Mag. is here to support minority leaders who deserve the spotlight and recognition they’ve earned by serving as leaders on a day-to-day basis. When I die, I want to die empty because I’ve poured out all of my heart, talent, gifts, and strength to help others achieve success and fortify the foundation of business ownership for future generations of minority M.O.guls.

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.
I love art exhibits and crafty activities. I would take my friend to either the Museum of Ice Cream, the Color Factory, or the Wondr Museum for a creative and interactive experience. Once we are done, we will grab a bite to eat at Kitchen and Kocktails or the Pappadeaux’s Restaurant Westmont.

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 been inspired by mentors and people who have challenged me to be a better version of myself as I’ve grown over the years.  It was my dance coach who mentored me on how to push myself beyond artistic barriers I created for myself. It was my band teacher who didn’t allow me to slack off,  pushing me to be the best musician in my section. It was my community and neighbors that made sure I made it home safe as a latch-key kid. It was my friends that cheered me up and held me accountable when I needed it the most. It was my parents who paid my way through undergraduate college and continue to believe, invest in, and support me. And, it was my grandmother, a self made business woman, that encouraged me to start my own business and gave me the courage to give entrepreneurship a try. It took a village to raise me and I stand on the shoulders of the women and men who helped pave the way for my life to become an example to others.

Website: https://sociatap.com/theemogulmag/

Instagram: @TheeM.O.gulMag and @MichelleTheeMarketingMogul

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleokennard/

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

Image Credits
Tralane Hanif, Belak Photo