The term 'Jane of all Trades' is a cliché, I know, and often times carries a negative connotation but not in this case. Kerry Ann Reid Brown is truly the embodiment and definition of a woman competent in many areas and is truly a master of those skill sets. With the motto, “Live Meaningfully, Build Strong and Achieve Abundantly,” she strives to educate, empower and encourage everyone she comes in contact with and those she can’t physically reach, she uses her podcast and blog, Carry On Friends!
Hers is a task that is not easy or without pitfalls but with a solid foundation, her husband and children, and a cadre of other female entrepreneurs, she is in the perfect position to achieve great things and she would be the first to tell you how fortunate she is. Take a moment to delve into Kerry’s world to see how she juggles multiple roles and still finds time for herself.
Kerry, tell us about yourself?
I am Jamaican Born, a Wife and Mother of 2 and I am passionate about helping people succeed. I’m also the founder of The Carry On Friends Podcast and Blog that focuses on career, business and lifestyle for Caribbean Americans.
What made you begin your blog “Carry on Friends?”
I started Carry On Friends for two main reasons, one, to showcase the perspectives, stories and experiences of the career focused and entrepreneurial Caribbean Americans because I felt we are underrepresented on the web. And two, to be a resource. I am committed to equipping my Caribbean American community with the resources and content that helps them build meaningful careers, build strong brands and businesses that will have a positive impact on their immediate communities, the diaspora, the Caribbean region and the world.
What are some of the topics that you discuss on the blog?
The podcast and blog covers topics on careers, entrepreneurship, personal growth and some lifestyle content.
Does being a mother and wife influence some of the topics covered?
Yes. Through, Carry On Friends, I share my experience as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and also as an employee, a team leader, an entrepreneur, some of the critical roles that most of us juggle daily.
What are some of the challenges you face with blogging?
Not enough time to do all that needs to be done to create, promote content and engage my audience. Although I'm doing more podcasting than writing these days, writing can be challenging. It can take hours (or days) to draft, research, edit and add images to a blog post. Then there are days when I have writer’s block. Another challenge is that it can be discouraging when you don’t get the traffic, response or engagement to your content.
What are some of the topics that your readers gravitate more toward?
Since launching the podcast over a year ago, my readers are gravitating more to the podcast. The most popular episode is with guest Jullien Gordon called “Creating More Happy Hours” and another is “Top 5 Things To Think About When Deciding to Work With Friends.” This aligns with topics on personal growth, entrepreneur and career focused stories and profiles.
What are some of the best tools for blogging?
Being a podcaster and blogger I have 2 sets of tools. Audacity or Adobe Premier are my tools to record and edit the podcast. I use Simple Podcast Press to embed the podcast on the blog. I absolutely love Buffer for social media scheduling and I use Canva for artwork. CreateHer Stock is a great resource for stock photos of women of color and Unsplash is great for free images.
How do you balance being a Mom and Wife with being a career woman?
As with everything there are ebbs and flows but lots of communication and calendar sharing with the hubby helps us. When it comes to the blog and podcast, I try to work smarter by batching my content creation. So instead of recording one podcast I try to record 2/3 at a time.
What do you do to unwind and take time for yourself?
I journal almost daily and my journal helps me to unwind from a long day and serves as my clearinghouse, place of reflection, creative outlet and more. Other times a hot shower, tea, music and sometimes TV will do the trick.
What three items are in your Ultimate Beauty Arsenal--those Holy Grail items you can't live without?
I must have Mario Badescu Cellufirm Drops; Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel and Specific Beauty Night Treatment Complex. With these 3 my skin has become more radiant!
Keep up with Kerry on Instagram, Twitter and through her Website.
Hers is a task that is not easy or without pitfalls but with a solid foundation, her husband and children, and a cadre of other female entrepreneurs, she is in the perfect position to achieve great things and she would be the first to tell you how fortunate she is. Take a moment to delve into Kerry’s world to see how she juggles multiple roles and still finds time for herself.
Kerry, tell us about yourself?
I am Jamaican Born, a Wife and Mother of 2 and I am passionate about helping people succeed. I’m also the founder of The Carry On Friends Podcast and Blog that focuses on career, business and lifestyle for Caribbean Americans.
What made you begin your blog “Carry on Friends?”
I started Carry On Friends for two main reasons, one, to showcase the perspectives, stories and experiences of the career focused and entrepreneurial Caribbean Americans because I felt we are underrepresented on the web. And two, to be a resource. I am committed to equipping my Caribbean American community with the resources and content that helps them build meaningful careers, build strong brands and businesses that will have a positive impact on their immediate communities, the diaspora, the Caribbean region and the world.
What are some of the topics that you discuss on the blog?
The podcast and blog covers topics on careers, entrepreneurship, personal growth and some lifestyle content.
Does being a mother and wife influence some of the topics covered?
Yes. Through, Carry On Friends, I share my experience as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and also as an employee, a team leader, an entrepreneur, some of the critical roles that most of us juggle daily.
What are some of the challenges you face with blogging?
Not enough time to do all that needs to be done to create, promote content and engage my audience. Although I'm doing more podcasting than writing these days, writing can be challenging. It can take hours (or days) to draft, research, edit and add images to a blog post. Then there are days when I have writer’s block. Another challenge is that it can be discouraging when you don’t get the traffic, response or engagement to your content.
What are some of the topics that your readers gravitate more toward?
Since launching the podcast over a year ago, my readers are gravitating more to the podcast. The most popular episode is with guest Jullien Gordon called “Creating More Happy Hours” and another is “Top 5 Things To Think About When Deciding to Work With Friends.” This aligns with topics on personal growth, entrepreneur and career focused stories and profiles.
What are some of the best tools for blogging?
Being a podcaster and blogger I have 2 sets of tools. Audacity or Adobe Premier are my tools to record and edit the podcast. I use Simple Podcast Press to embed the podcast on the blog. I absolutely love Buffer for social media scheduling and I use Canva for artwork. CreateHer Stock is a great resource for stock photos of women of color and Unsplash is great for free images.
How do you balance being a Mom and Wife with being a career woman?
As with everything there are ebbs and flows but lots of communication and calendar sharing with the hubby helps us. When it comes to the blog and podcast, I try to work smarter by batching my content creation. So instead of recording one podcast I try to record 2/3 at a time.
What do you do to unwind and take time for yourself?
I journal almost daily and my journal helps me to unwind from a long day and serves as my clearinghouse, place of reflection, creative outlet and more. Other times a hot shower, tea, music and sometimes TV will do the trick.
What three items are in your Ultimate Beauty Arsenal--those Holy Grail items you can't live without?
I must have Mario Badescu Cellufirm Drops; Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel and Specific Beauty Night Treatment Complex. With these 3 my skin has become more radiant!
Keep up with Kerry on Instagram, Twitter and through her Website.