We recently had the chance to connect with TaKenya and have shared our conversation below.
Hi TaKenya, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity, then energy, and then intelligence.
Integrity is the foundation of building trust and earning respect. It’s not just what you do when people are watching, but rather what you do when no one will ever know.
It’s the choices you make when there’s nothing to gain but the satisfaction of knowing you did the right thing. Integrity is what allows strong, authentic relationships to grow, both personally and professionally.
Energy comes next because, as I always say, energy is real. You can feel when something’s off, and I’ve learned to lean into my intuition in those moments. It helps me quickly recognize when someone or something isn’t aligned with me, and to trust that feeling without second guessing it.
Intelligence is important, but it’s about the capacity to learn, and we all have different capacities for knowledge and understanding. But that doesn’t change a person’s value or the way they deserve to be treated. Intelligence can grow with time and effort, but integrity and energy? Those run much deeper.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m TaKenya Hampton — Educator, Web Designer, and Systems Simplifier, and the founder of Studio117 Creative, a WordPress design and support agency based here in Raleigh.
Studio117 Creative is a space where small business owners, especially Black-owned and women-led businesses, can find trusted, judgment-free support for the tech side of their business.
I help entrepreneurs build and maintain WordPress websites that work, not just look good. I bring strategy, clarity, and ongoing support so they feel empowered instead of overwhelmed by technology.
Whether it’s a full website design, setting up efficient back-end systems, or providing ongoing care and maintenance, my goal is always the same: make tech feel lighter, business feel easier, and share everything I know along the way.
What makes Studio117 Creative unique is the way I blend design, education, and empowerment. I don’t just build websites and walk away. I teach, guide, and make sure my clients have the tools and confidence to use what we’ve built together.
Right now, I’m especially excited about expanding into self-paced courses, DIY-friendly website options, and a membership community that will provide ongoing education, resources, and support for business owners who want to better understand and manage their tech, especially as tighter budgets make DIYing a necessity for staying afloat.
At the heart of it all, my mission remains the same: to simplify the complicated, empower the underserved, and help business owners get back to doing the work they actually love.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
Without a doubt, my mom.
She had me at 18, fresh out of high school, and all my life, I remember watching her work hard and continually work her way up. She never did anything halfway, and she expected the same from me. She didn’t make excuses, she made a way. She went after what she wanted with determination, and that became the blueprint for how I approach my own work.
Some of my earliest memories of “work” come from Saturdays when my mom had to go into the office. I was no more than nine years old, but I would tag along and try to help. Her boss noticed and started giving me little tasks, even setting me up with my own desk in the back. At the end of “our shift,” he would pay me for my help. Looking back, that was the start of understanding both the value of work and the satisfaction of contributing.
By the time I was in high school, my mom encouraged me to enroll in vocational business classes, even though I planned to go to college. Her thinking was simple: if I needed to, I could get an office job right out of high school instead of settling for lower-paying work.
That decision introduced me to my second great influence: my accounting teacher, Mrs. Guerini. She didn’t accept half-hearted effort and pushed us in a way that was both stern and caring. I didn’t realize it at the time, but she was also young, fresh out of college, and yet carried herself with the professionalism and passion of someone far more seasoned.
By senior year, I was attending school half a day and then heading to an office job where I earned credit while getting real-world business experience. That opportunity, along with the connections I made through it, became an early foundation for the work I do today — showing me the value of starting early, learning from those around you, and building on each opportunity that comes your way.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Several, honestly. But there are two moments that really shaped me.
The first was in college. I graduated high school and went to college at 17 as a first-generation student. My mom insisted I go, but she didn’t have the tools to guide me through getting there and being successful once I was in. That’s when I started having to figure things out on my own.
It took me eight years to finish my undergraduate degree.
In my fourth year, when most of my peers were graduating, I got pregnant with my daughter. I felt like a failure. But having her became my reason to finish, even when I wanted to give up.
What I didn’t know then was that my struggle in school wasn’t because I wasn’t smart. It was because of my undiagnosed neurodivergence. Freezing during tests made traditional success feel impossible. Years later, when I went to grad school, it was a completely different experience. Writing papers to demonstrate my comprehension played to my strengths, and I navigated the process almost effortlessly. That season taught me that sometimes it’s not about you being incapable, it’s about finding the right environment to thrive.
The second was in business. There have been multiple points where I’ve wanted to quit. Starting a business is hard. Everyone has advice that starts with “all you have to do is…” but the truth is, there’s no single formula for success.
I’ve always been determined to do work I love, not just work that makes money. I want my work to have an impact, not just a high price tag.
In both seasons, what kept me from giving up was the same thing: my why was stronger than my weariness. And when your why is clear, you can push through almost anything.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d like to say yes, but I’m always surprised when I start building a relationship with someone and they tell me what they initially thought of me.
When I was younger, people often assumed I was stuck up and unapproachable. In reality, I was just really unconfident, introverted, and socially awkward.
As I got older, the perception shifted. People would say I seemed like I had it all together, when in truth, I was making a ton of mistakes and just learning from them as I went.
These days, I’ve learned I can still come off as unapproachable (apparently my RBF game is strong), but the truth is I’m still socially awkward until I warm up to you.
So, is the public version of me the real me? Yes, but it’s only part of the story. The rest comes out once you get past the surface and we’ve had time to connect.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
LOL, absolutely.
There was a time in my life when I was just checking boxes, doing what I thought I was “supposed to do.” I’d get the thing, accomplish the goal, and then almost immediately be on to the next. And each time, I’d have that feeling of, “Wait… this is it?”
What I’ve learned is that the more I’ve deviated from what I was “supposed” to do, the more satisfied I’ve felt.
Choosing the path that actually fits me, even if others don’t understand or agree, has been way more fulfilling than chasing someone else’s version of success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://studio117creative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio117creative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studio117creative/
