Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakeia Peterson.
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 entrepreneurial journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when I decided to take a leap of faith and turn my creativity into a business. I started my online women’s boutique by creating custom party favors, labels, and personalized gifts. What began as a small idea quickly evolved into something much bigger.
As I continued creating, I discovered a genuine passion for custom merchandise and developing cohesive products and accessories. I loved being able to create unique pieces that were inclusive and accessible across different body types, lifestyles, and areas of fashion—from apparel and accessories to home décor, children’s items, and even automotive accessories.
But my journey didn’t stop with products. As I began creating my own flyers, promotional videos, branded merchandise, and marketing materials for pop-up shops and community events, I realized that I was developing skills that could help other organizations grow their visibility as well. That led me to expand my business beyond retail and into branding, marketing, promotional merchandise, and visibility services for small businesses, nonprofits, agencies, and community organizations.
I also began creating educational resources and eBooks focused on entrepreneurship, financial freedom, business development, and eliminating some of the barriers that can make starting a business overwhelming.
What makes this journey especially meaningful to me is that I have built it largely through self-teaching, determination, and faith. I have never taken a formal design or computer course, and I don’t have a degree in business or marketing. Everything I have learned has come from being willing to figure things out, teach myself new skills, make mistakes, adapt, and keep moving forward.
Today, I look at what I’ve built and I’m genuinely amazed. What started as a leap of faith during a difficult and uncertain time has grown into a vision for an entire business ecosystem. I’m proud that I’ve been able to create something from the ground up using my creativity, resourcefulness, and God-given talents. And I’m even more excited about where I can take it next.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road. Pursuing a dream comes with ups and downs, wins and losses, and a lot of trial and error. Some of my biggest challenges have been time management, learning new technology, and making sure the different systems I was using were compatible with one another.
I remember spending countless hours designing my very first website, only to discover that it wasn’t compatible with my printing network. Honestly, that moment almost made me throw in the towel. But I had to remind myself that I couldn’t allow one obstacle to erase everything I had already worked so hard to build. I also realized that if building an empire were easy, everyone would do it.
Instead of giving up, I researched the problem, learned from the experience, and found a better way forward. That experience ultimately led me to build several websites—not only for myself, but for other entrepreneurs as well.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way is that research is a powerful tool. Taking the time to understand something before investing more time, money, or energy into it can save you from unnecessary frustration and mistakes.
So, while the road hasn’t always been easy, the challenges have actually become some of my greatest teachers. Every setback has pushed me to become more resourceful, more patient, and more confident in my ability to figure things out. I’ve learned that entrepreneurship isn’t about knowing everything from the beginning; it’s about being willing to learn, adapt, and keep going when things don’t go according to plan.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work has evolved far beyond where I originally started. What began as an online women’s boutique has grown into a creative business focused on branding, promotional merchandise, marketing, visibility, and entrepreneurial support.
Through KenShay’s Closet, LLC, I specialize in helping businesses, nonprofits, community organizations, and entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life. That can include creating custom promotional merchandise, branded apparel and accessories, marketing materials, event and pop-up shop branding, and customized visibility packages designed to help organizations present themselves professionally and connect with their audiences.
I’m also passionate about helping entrepreneurs eliminate some of the friction that comes with starting and growing a business. I’ve created eBooks and educational resources covering entrepreneurship, business development, financial freedom, and other practical business elements because I understand firsthand how overwhelming it can be when you’re trying to figure everything out on your own.
I think what I’m most known for is being able to take an idea and turn it into something tangible, cohesive, and marketable. I don’t just look at one product or one flyer—I look at the bigger picture. I think about how the branding, merchandise, marketing, events, and overall presentation can work together to tell a story and create visibility.
What sets me apart is that I am largely self-taught. I don’t have a formal degree in business, marketing, graphic design, or technology. I’ve learned by researching, experimenting, solving problems, and refusing to let what I didn’t know stop me from learning. That process has taught me to be extremely resourceful and adaptable.
What I’m most proud of is not one particular product or accomplishment. I’m proud of the fact that I took a leap of faith during one of the most uncertain periods in our history and built something from the ground up. I started with an idea, taught myself the skills I needed, expanded as I discovered new opportunities, and ultimately created an entire ecosystem of services and products.
To me, that’s the heart of my work: I create, I solve problems, and I help other people turn their ideas into something they can see, share, and be proud of.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that may surprise people is that much of what I’m known for today is completely self-taught.
When people see my designs, websites, marketing materials, customized merchandise, or the different aspects of my brand, they sometimes assume I have a background in graphic design, marketing, technology, or business. The truth is, I have never taken a formal design or computer course, and I don’t have a degree in business or marketing.
I learned by being curious enough to figure things out.
If I wanted to create something and didn’t know how, I researched it. If something didn’t work, I figured out why. If I needed a new skill, I taught myself. That mindset has allowed me to continuously expand what I’m capable of doing and, eventually, use those skills to help other entrepreneurs and organizations bring their own ideas to life.
I think the surprising part isn’t simply that I’m self-taught—it’s how far that willingness to learn has taken me. What started as a woman creating custom products during the pandemic has evolved into someone who creates brands, develops marketing resources, builds websites, creates educational content, and helps other people turn their ideas into something tangible.
That experience has taught me that sometimes your greatest asset isn’t what you already know. It’s your willingness to learn what you don’t know.
Contact Info:
- Website: 🔗Kenshayscloset.com 🔗Kenshays-closet.myshopify.com
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/kenshayscloset
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakeia-peterson-b2108a38b?trk=contact-info
