Meet Andrea Kirby | Digital Creator, Model, & Writer – Founder of Poised with Purpose Co.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Kirby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I can recall a time in elementary school when I said the phrase “I can’t” probably more than my peers. I knew I was intelligent, but I did not carry the confidence or motivation behind my work to try again or to keep going. If I did not get something right the first time, I felt like a failure and did not want to try again. But what kind of standard is that? Certainly not a healthy one. Perfectionism has always been attached to my being, and my fourth grade teacher pierced me to the core when she took notice of this. She told me to remove “I can’t” from my vocabulary, and that I needed to believe in myself because if I didn’t, other people wouldn’t either.

I carry that with me now. Giving up is the easy way out, though sometimes it can be necessary for certain situations and pursuits. I wanted to give up my passions, my gifts, and even things that were destroying my peace (the necessary kind of giving up). There is only One that I can lean on in those moments. When it comes to Poised with Purpose Co., I experienced several setbacks, failures, and disappointments that caused me to want to fallback and disappear. To destroy what I created on my platforms and never pick the pieces back up. But my Lord Jesus Christ lives in my heart, and He never lets me give up. When I remember that He never gives up on me, that in itself motivates me to keep going. So much so that I wrote an encouragement poem for one of my greeting cards called “Keep Going”.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I didn’t know what that word meant…”poise”. Growing up, I heard it all the time from individuals older than myself. They were acknowledging how eloquent and wise before my years I was, and that I had an empathetically old soul. There are many encounters that I will never forget. I also didn’t realize how impactful my writing was for those around me. I would write poems and notes to classmates, friends, administrators, and loved ones, just to brighten their day. I believe that my writing and creativity serves a greater “purpose” than just a hobby or passion project. This is Poised with Purpose Co.

Check out the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCICq4tmrsvpY-evcP-wZrdQ

My name is Andrea Kirby, and I am the Founder of Poised with Purpose Co. I am a filmmaker, artist, writer, performer, and spiritual encourager with an aspiration to uplift people around the world with my writing and creativity. I adore all things vintage, pastel, and alluringly elegant. My faith is the center of my life, and it is implemented throughout the majority of the work I produce.

~~Poised with Purpose Co. is a writing & poetry business with services intended to inspire, encourage, inform, and uplift others. On this platform, we hope to exude elegance and faith-based material through imagery, video content, and written word.~~

Products include: Journals, digital cards, greeting/encouragement cards, poems, prayer cards, and other stationery!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Eboni (hey hey if you’re reading this!) and I love a lot of the same things. Tea houses, bookstores, girly/feminine clothing shops, vintage stores, gardens and parks, etc. Since we live in different states, if I were to have her come to Ohio, I would take her to: The Cambridge Tea House (so we both can try it out for the first time!), the Asterisk Supper Club, Peacock Lane Worthington Antiques, the Franklin Park Conservatory, Biscotti Cookies & Cakes, and Vernacular!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I will always give credit of my success to God, so He is first above all. I also want to thank and recognize my family, loved ones, and close friends who have either intentionally or unintentionally inspired, encouraged, and motivated me to keep going on my journey!

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/poisedwithpurposeco

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@poisedwithpurposeco

Image Credits
Illustration by Pamela Chen B/W image Parisha Janelle