Conversations with Kinesha Harris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kinesha Harris.

Hi Kinesha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It all started in 2009, with a piece of paper, some glue and curiosity. The long journey to becoming the founder and creative director of a design and print studio, started out as a paper crafting hobby on a squeaky ironing board. Yes, an ironing board! After a brief introduction to the worlds of calligraphy and scrapbooking, I quickly found myself handcrafting greeting cards for co-workers, family and friends. Through the years, my card making hobby blossomed into a decade long, full-time passion, for creating expressive heartfelt sentiments, that I shared with my community and craft-lovers alike, through vibrant art festivals, craft shows and local fairs.

This was a passion I nurtured daily, until years later, I found myself captivated by the beauty and impressionable grace of letterpress printing. Embracing the art of letterpress, transformed my passion for paper, into bespoke stationery design and print. In 2020, I bought my first printing press, which is comprised of 1500 lbs. of solid steel, which needless to say, working from the ironing board was no longer a viable option. Moral of the story, passion is key no matter how big or small and always have faith in your dreams.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road from hobby to business, is anything but easy. I once heard the saying, “As an entrepreneur, you don’t own the business, the business owns you.” KSH Creations has had many starts and stops along the way. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as an entrepreneur is realizing that No, is often the default response you’ll get when you’re looking to expand and grow, beyond your humble beginnings. These days, when I hear No, I accept it, lean in to it, study it, dissolve it and then use it to ultimately create my Yes.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, KSH Creations is a boutique stationery design and print studio. At the core of our craftsmanship, is the timeless, artisan technique, of letterpress printing, on a centuries old Chandler & Price printing press, and the Original Heidelberg press dating back to the early 1970’s.

It is our mission to help our clients express the heartfelt emotions of life’s most momentous occasions with luxurious letterpress stationery and to bless the hearts and homes of those they hold dear with our one-of-a kind handmade greeting cards.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The city of Raleigh is a beautiful, vibrant, and culturally diverse city that offers all of the convenience of most major metropolitan areas, but with the added warmth of a small hometown and a healthy dose of southern charm. Raleigh has proven time and again to be ideal for small businesses like KSH Creations to build and thrive.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.kshcreations.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/kshcreations
• Facebook: facebook.com/kshcreations
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-QCkO4Ki-Yho6PzmfZRpjg
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ksh-creations-raleigh?osq=ksh+creations

Image Credits:
KSH Creations Terrence Jones Photography