Meet Kiva V. Waters, an inspiring author and entrepreneur on a mission to empower young Black girls through her innovative “Tool-Books” series. Her latest release, “NO.CELEBRITIES.ALLOWED.,” challenges societal norms and encourages self-esteem, reflecting her dedication to uplifting individuals amidst today’s digital pressures. In this interview, Kiva shares her journey, struggles, triumphs, and insights into the crucial role of self-worth in personal and professional success.
What inspired you to create “NO.CELEBRITIES.ALLOWED.”? Can you share the story behind the concept?
MY GRANDDAUGHTERS ARE THE REASON I CREATE ALL MY TOOL-BOOKS, BUT NO.CELEBRITIES.ALLOWED IS GOOD FOR ALL LITTLE BLACK GIRLS THAT ARE OVERWHELMED (OR POTENTIALLY OVERWHELMED) BY SOCIAL MEDIA’S AGGRESSIVE INFLUENCE TO BE SOMETHING OTHER THAN THEIR BRIGHT, BEAUTIFUL SELVES. I WAS BORN WITH HIGH SELF ESTEEM. ARIES. IT’S A DREAM TO SHARE THAT GIFT WITH THE WORLD. THE TOOL-BOOK TITLE EMERGED AS A WAY TO COUNTERACT RECENT TRENDS TO “FOLLOW” (AKA IMITATE) CELEBRITIES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEIR CHOICES ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR OWN LIFESTYLE CHOICES.
What challenges or struggles did you face while working on your creative project or business, and how did you overcome them?
EVERY TOOL-BOOK CREATION, AND LAUNCHING EVERY BUSINESS, IS CHALLENGING AND I WOULD’NT HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY! WHEN I STARTED WRITING (WITH INTENT TO PUBLISH) THE WORLD WAS IN THE MIDST OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC. EVERY ONE WAS FEELING ISOLATED INCLUDING MY SELF. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FORESEE ANY POSITIVE OUTCOMES AND DARKNESS WAS SETTLING ON MY SOUL. MEDITATION HELPED ME OVERCOME. I MEDITATED MORE, I TOOK MORE TIME FOR SELF CARE, I SAT STILL FOR LONGER AND LONGER PERIODS OF TIME.
Could you share a pivotal moment or experience that taught you an important lesson about self-esteem or entrepreneurship?
WHEN I FIRST STARTED MY PUBLISHING COMPANY I TRIED TO TAKE THE SAME ROUTE AS WHEN I OPENED MY LAW FIRM (10 YEARS PRIOR) BUT THAT WOULD NOT BE FRUITFUL. I REMEMBER HAVING TO RETHINK EVERYTHING ABOUT HOW I DID BUSINESS – BOOK WRITING AND BANKRUPTCY LAW ARE WORLDS APART AND THE LAUNCH STRATEGIES WOULD HAVE TO BE, TOO. I RECALL A TIME I WAS PITCHING MY BOOK TO A LOCAL BOOKSTORE AND I HEARD MY SELF SPEAKING “LEGALESE” TO MY POTENTIAL PARTNER – THE COLLAB DID NOT TAKE PLACE (YET) BUT THE EXPERIENCE TAUGHT ME TO KEEP FOCUSED ON ONE TASK AT A TIME, AND ONE BUSINESS AT A TIME, TOO.
How do you stay motivated and inspired during challenging times?
CHALLENGING TIMES ARE THE MOTIVATORS! WITHOUT TROUBLE WE WOULD NEVER GET UNCOMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO DO DIFFERENT THINGS, OR AT LEAST TRY TO DIFFERENT THINGS SOMETIMES. PERSONALLY, I LOVE CHALLENGES – TEAM ARIES 🙂
What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with self-esteem issues or pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams?
FIRST OFF, I WOULD TELL THEM THAT SELF ESTEEM ISSUES IS NORMAL. WE ALL HAVE TO REFRESH OUR PERCEPTION OF OUR SELF VALUE ON A DAILY BASIS – WHICH IS THE PURPOSE OF HET HRU PUBLISHING’S TOOL-BOOKS – SHORT & SWEET ENOUGH TO BE READ DAILY AND CARRIED WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. IT IS SIMPLE TO RAISE OUR SELF ESTEEM ONCE WE RECALL OUR TRUE SELVES. BREATHE. JUST BREATHE. THAT’S STEP ONE. SLOW INHALES AND SLOWER EXHALES. FROM THERE WE CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING! DRINK WATER, GET SOME SUN & FORGIVE SOMEONE, TOO, FOR BEST RESULTS!
Can you share a memorable success story or achievement related to your work?
MY FIRST TOOL-BOOK LAUNCH WAS A HUGE SUCCESS – IT INSPIRED ME TO KEEP GOING FOR SURE. IT STATED AT A NATURAL SANCTUARY IN PORTLAND, JAMAICA WITH A SMALL GROUP OF LIKE-MINDED YOGIS AND THEN CONTINUED IN MY HOMETOWN OF BROOKLYN, NY AT PROSPECT PARK WITH MY ENTIRE TRIBE OF FAMILY, FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS
What role do you think self-esteem plays in achieving personal and professional success?
SELF ESTEEM IS A PILLAR OF SUCCESS. WITHOUT INNATE, UNDENIABLE TRUST IN OUR OWN ABILITIES WE CAN ONLY GET SO FAR. WITH A CLEAR VISION OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE ARE TRULY WORTH, WE ARE LIMITLESS.
How do you balance your creative projects, business responsibilities, and personal life?
IT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO BALANCE WORK AND LIFE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A BLENDED FAMILY OF 5 CHILDREN & 5 GRANDCHILDREN! IT TAKES SERIOUS PLANNING, AND STRATEGY, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO MAINTAIN A LEVEL OF COMFORT WITH HOW AN ENTREPRENEUR’S TIME IS SPENT. THERE ARE DAYS THAT I DO NOTHING BUT SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTERS LALA & LIZZY. THERE ARE DAYS I DO NOTHING BUT HELP LEGAL CLIENTS GET THE RELIEF THEY DESERVE. THERE ARE DAYS I JUST DO ME. IT IS AN INTUITIVE CHOICE WHERE TO BE AND WHAT TO DO TO KEEP BALANCE IN MY SELF FIRST, THEN IN MY OUTER WORLD.
What future goals or projects are you excited about, and how do they align with your overall mission and vision?
I AM SUPER DUPER EXCITED ABOUT MY NEXT TOOL-BOOK, WHICH WILL COMPLETE THE TRILOGY OF TOOL-BOOKS FOR SELF EMPOWERMENT.
1. MEDITATION MADNESS What You Say to Your Self Matters The Most – 2021
2. NO.CELEBRITIES.ALLOWED. A Modern Primer on Self Esteem – 2023
3. ???????? – 2025
STAY IN LOOP ON ALL HET HRU PUBLISHING TOOL-BOOK RELEASES AND UPCOMING EVENTS AT HETHRUPUBLISHING.COM
