For The Phenomenal People: Phenomenal Woman of The Month: Ke'Tara Marie Wells

Ke'Tara Marie Wells is a 23 year old young woman from Galveston, Texas. She is currently in graduate school studying Digital Media Production at Sam Houston State University and is an Assignment Desk Editor and Web Producer with CW39. I met her in high school in our Journalism/Yearbook class and she still has the ambition, class and sophistication that I remember. I know for a fact that we will see her on TV one day. Read more to find out about Ke'Tara Marie.

Ke'Tara Marie Wells

1. "What does "Phenomenal Woman" mean to you?"

I think it can mean many different things to different women. For me, if I had to sum up my journey for far? I would say it's FEARLESS. I think going into anything requires a bit of fear of the unknown, but it's how you handle it and not letting those obstacles get in your way. In my personal opinion, that's what makes a woman phenomenal. Always remembering that God made her fearfully in His image, and to live that is unspeakable.

2. "What is your brand and how did you get started?"

I often get this question, but I don't have a brand. Lol I'm honestly just being myself, and allowing people to see bits and pieces of my journey. I think just being myself, and focusing on being organic in my delivery created a brand itself. As far as how I started is all about just doing it. I started my blog in undergrad out of curiosity, and I found that I loved creating and organizing content. Once again, out of curiosity I invested in a camera and started shooting/editing things. Somehow, my mentor put me to work and saw how much I loved it, so I would get assigned to events. Through that, I was always meeting people and eventually people started to remember me. However, in 2017 I do plan on creating/revamping a brand for myself and my career. I actually have a few ideas I want to execute.

3. "What is your dream goal and how do you plan on achieving it?"

I think my dream goal is simply FREEDOM. I work hard everyday, and sometimes push myself beyond that because I crave freedom. I want to be able to wake up and work in my office from home, and not at a 9-5. I want to be able to travel without having to think about finances, and be able to take care of my parents. I want my children to have endless opportunities that I didn't have, which I'm still fighting for till this day. Freedom for me is overall wealth, till I want nothing else out of life. I think getting there is simply doing what you DON'T want to, in order to get what you WANT. How? Simple: Speed and execution.

4. "Name a moment that inspired you to feel more confident and inspired you to be comfortable in the skin you are in."

When I went to New York in May, that was the moment for me. Honestly, it wasn't even a physical thing...more spiritual I would say. Being in those streets, and watching everybody hustlin' just did something to me. It was my first time ever on a plane, stayed in a 4-5 star hotel, saw a Tony nominated play with an A-list celebrity and meet the cast along with the directors. I'm still sorting out my emotions and the memories from that trip. It just made me truly believe I could do and be anywhere if I imagine, speak it into existence and work hard. At the end of the day, God always hears our deepest desires. He knew I needed to be there...

5. "Name a person (dead or alive) that you look up to & why?"

I have three, which is my grandma Sandra Jacquo, my aunt Etta Marie Jacquo and my great grandmother Wilda Guient. My journey up until now, I lost my aunt and my great grandmother. What's so interesting is that, right before they passed we had deep conversations that I still remember. When I was struggling my freshman year, and I mean STRUGGLING...baby I had a 0.60 midterm GPA and you would swear I wasn't going to class! I had made the biggest jump of my life leaving Galveston, and my momma told me, "You wanna go off to college? You better figure it out when you get there." Keep in mind, we technically didn't have a stable home from Hurricane Ike at the time. My grandmother told me right before she passed, to always remain focused on goals and never let my circumstances get in the way of that. That's when my "hustle mentality" started to kick in, cause my granny didn't play that! Then I lost my aunt this year, and her advice to me for years has been to enjoy my life and stop living for others. I started feeling guilty when I couldn't deliver for others, my aunt always had to remind me that "I OWN THIS SHIT!" and most importantly, I'm in charge of my own happiness and creating the life I truly want. Now my grandma Sandra? Lord. I could give you a book because she raised me. Two things about her, if it ain't making me happy or it ain't making money...it gotta go! Secondly, she taught me how to stand up for myself in most the graceful way possible.

"I don't have to downgrade myself in order for those to FEEL me, because they will FEEL me when the time is right. The revenge will be so sweet, that it's a BLESSING in MY journey."

6. "When it comes to being a woman, what do you feel should be the three core values that a lady should uphold?"

Being fearless, grace and being a leader. When I say leader, it can mean many different things depending on what you apply it to. I always tell people that leadership is a journey, a tricky one at that.

7. "Favorite quote and what it means to you?"

I have two right now, it is:

"You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do." Henry F.

"I don't have to prove anything to anyone. I only have to follow my heart and concentrate on what I want to say to the world. I RUN MY WORLD!" Beyonce

The reason why I love those quotes is because, it's simply where I am in my life right now. My entire life has always been people telling what to do, or what they think I should do. God pushed me to a point of no return...I have to listen to Him and not the world. I have to learn how to run my OWN world, and by doing that? Once again, simple: speed and execution.

8. "Piece of advice that you would give to young girls who aren't confident with themselves?"

Stop thinking if you "fix this and fix that"...things will get better because it won't. Young women need to understand that SELF LOVE is an ongoing journey. One thing I've learned about my health this year is that our bodies know when we are disrespecting it. When you don't deal with trauma, you're disrespecting yourself with those internalized emotions, which are negative. When you're constantly doubting yourself, you're disrespecting yourself. But most importantly, when you look into the mirror and tell yourself repeatedly how worthless and ugly you are, not only are you disrespecting yourself and your body...but the temple that God blessed you with. No one makes us feel more insecure than ourselves, and yes...it is hard. But understand, the less you compete with yourself...love and appreciation will flow into your life. Self love is an OBLIGATION.