Full name?: Karena Simon
Position / Job title?: Founder & Executive Director of Lillie B. Girls
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A singer and I wanted to build “homeless shelter hotels” all over the world.
2. Fast-forward several years/decades. How did you land (or create) your current position?
I researched and studied nonprofit business and entrepreneurship. I networked and utilized my writing and creative abilities to devise a workshop plan that teaches girls the meaning of positive body image, defining your own beauty, moral excellence, and enhances self-esteem in the process.
3. Did you have to take on internships to get there? How important in general, do you think, are internships?
I did not take on any internships. I worked 2 to 3 jobs at a time during college to support myself financially and save money for “my dreams” account.
4. Tell us what a typical work day looks like for you. What is your job REALLY like, both the glamorous and not-so-glamorous parts?
A typical work day for me always starts with checking emails and interacting with followers and supporters of our nonprofit mission via social media. Overall, I am continuously networking, building relationships, prospecting community centers and various locations to host our next girl’s workshop, and developing new fundraising ideas. The not-so-glamorous part would be all things administrative. Behind every iron machine are a tons of small processes. No fun, but it must be done!
5. What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to other career-minded women?
My advice is to eliminate all baggage that isn’t needed on your plane ride to success (i.e. relationship baggage, self-esteem baggage, childhood baggage, etc.). Eliminate all things and people that serve you no purpose and don’t make you genuinely happy. Then, GO FOR YOUR DREAMS! We tend to run a lot farther and faster without dead weight holding us back.
6. Let’s talk about work/life balance. What does that mean to you? Is it important?
Work/life balance is essential. It may not exist at first when you’re just getting started. I believe that a period of selfishness is required in most infancy stages of jump starting a career or business. However, do not lose yourself or your relationships due to the inability to balance it all. Work hard and play hard. You deserve it and the people who’ve supported you along the way deserve to experience play time with you, as well. Quality of life is greater than quantity of dollars.
7. On that note, do you think women can have it all? Both the baller career, and the happy family?
Yes, women can have it all. We’ve done it all, we do it all, and we make it look easy! Women are powerful. The more women that come to know their true power, the more we will begin to see larger numbers of successful female game-changers. The baller career and happy family are both tangible.
8. If you could look into a crystal ball and see 20 years into your future, what would you want to see?
In 20 years I see our nonprofit Lillie B. Girls launching self-esteem enrichment programs in community centers and schools across the world, providing scholarships for girls to attend college, and helping single mothers in low-income communities discover their purpose and worth through positive adult programming. I need a pair of shades to look at my future, because it’s extremely bright! All I want to do now and 20 years from now is be a great mother, an even better daughter and friend, a successful and charitable businesswoman, and a globe trotter. I want to see and experience all the world has to offer and share it with those I love.
9. Do you have any career role models? Who are they?
One of my career role models is Beyonce’. Although she is an A-list celebrity, I’ve always admired her fierce work-ethic, her hands-on approach to business and legal affairs, her ability to handle the “bad days” with grace, and her leadership. She’s a great musician with a beautiful talent, but she is a strong business woman and extremely charitable in all of her endeavors. I love that she shows the world how she balances being a mother and wife now while still living her dreams. If Beyonce’ can do it, any woman can!
Phaedra Parks is another career role model of mine. She owns her own law firm, but still balances being a mother, wife, and businesswoman. She’s professional and classy, but built her dreams from the ground up. Her success inspires me greatly.
10. What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received – career-related or otherwise?
“Know thyself” – My Mom, Kadena Tate
11. Parents love to say, “just wait ’til you have to face the real world…” When you were in college or high school, what did you think the “real world” looked like? What is the difference between what you thought and reality?
In all honesty, I saw glimpses of the “real world” at a very young age. I graduated high school at 16 years old and began working while initially attending community college. I feel like ultimately life became “realer” as I grew older. Luckily, I had a strong set of parents and grandparents who mentally prepared me for life’s real curve balls – and boy did those balls curve!
12. Should you work for the money, or do what you love?
It’s often a challenge to create or find the balance between the two, but I say do what you love! The money will come. The cost of pursuing your dreams is SACRIFICE. It’s all about what are you willing to sacrifice for your dreams. It gets greater later!
13. What is the single most important factor of a job?
Fulfillment. If you are not fulfilled in anyway by what you do, stop doing it! Run! (P.S. Financial fulfillment is not enough!)
14. If you married a millionaire husband and didn’t have to work, would you? (Be honest.)
I will probably work until my legs stop working and even then I’ll be on my laptop emailing away and checking into video conferences! A millionaire husband is an accessory. My passion is service and helping others whether it be for-profit or non-profit. Me living out my passion and leaving a legacy for my children is worth more than a million bucks!
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