Elyse Kennard

“I’m Every Woman!”

Hello Golden Divas!

I’m so excited about March for so many reasons beginning with this being ‘My Birthday Month’ and the next time that I will be chatting with you I will be 53 years old. To God be the glory! I’m also happy about this month because we are celebrating ‘Women’s History Month’ where we get to highlight some women from our past and our future. Women who were pioneers and women who are trailblazers, who are continually making a difference in this world. Women who are inspiring, motivating and elevating other women to live their best lives!

On February 28, 1980, President Jimmy Carter wrote:

“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this Nation. Too often, the women were unsung, and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed.”

Women’s History Week in 1980, (now Women’s History Month) marked the beginning of a new chapter in American history; one in which recognition of women and their work, and the promotion of their rights became a more explicit concern. With so many unrecognized women that paved the way in our history with their extraordinary work, ‘Women’s History Month’ is the perfect time to celebrate my exceptional guest for my Golden Diva Interview. This Golden Diva is leaving an undeniable blueprint in this world by pushing the artistic envelope with uniqueness, integrity, and creativity. Her creative nature has left a visual impact on individuals and corporations in the world of graphic design around the state of Illinois and abroad. She is also a woman who is holding it down on the forefront at home with her supportive husband balancing marriage and work!

I had the pleasure of meeting this lovely lady last year in the theater world where she frequently partakes in plays with her husband. Our introduction came about at Goodman Theatre where Rick and I were reviewing a play. Although this picture was taken at Drury Lane where we were reviewing Mama Mia! Most people know that I love jewelry and I have no problem telling another woman who is wearing some beautiful pieces that they are looking good in their chosen statement pieces. I noticed her statement necklace and her infectious personality drew me into her world and from that point a blossoming friendship developed. The Golden Diva’ that commands a room is beautiful inside and out, and I found myself admiring her as a woman that I would like to know better. She is a woman who represents class, elegance, and style, a woman who makes the ordinary, extraordinary just by showing up to make it happen. This lovely gem is making a difference in our creative world, and she is a woman who I love to call my friend, and she is ‘Someone You Should Know!’

Let’s celebrate “Women’s History Month’ with my ‘I’m Every Woman’ hero the vibrant wife, entrepreneur and socialite Elyse Kennard.

MEET ELYSE KENNARD

Elyse is 66 years old, she has been married to her husband Walter for 32 years, they have no children, and her religious affiliation is Lutheran (ELCA). Her father was a Lutheran Minister, and her hobbies include gardening and photography. As president of Elyse Kennard & Associates, located in Glen Ellyn, IL, Elyse has created a business that has a varied clientele, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Nielsen Company, Firman Community Services, Bradley University, Aurora Economic Development, Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Conservation and RE/MAX ACTION. That partial list of clients impressed by her diligence and attention to detail––describe her as one who consistently demonstrates an ability to rise to meet all significant challenges.

Elyse is dedicated to dynamic, results-oriented visual and written communication. She creates visual impact and branding for her clients using illustration and graphic design. Whether its design and illustration or copywriting and product launches, she is dedicated to keeping your project on time and on budget. Elyse has years of comprehensive knowledge and experiences that will assist her in pushing the creative envelope to provide clients with a finished product, unlike any others. From creating your business logo to designing your company’s brochure, Elyse will incorporate various ideas to create a cohesive theme that establishes a distinct identity for your business. In the end, no matter the nature of your business, its branding will project uniqueness, integrity, and creativity.

Elyse graduated from Bradley University with a degree in graphic design then took design classes at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Next, she attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago and received another degree in Graphic Design. Later she received a certificate in advertising from the Institute of Advanced Advertising Studies at Northwestern University. Currently, Elyse continues to take classes at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn to stay abreast of the many changes in the industry. Elyse has been actively involved and made major contributions to a number of organizations and has assisted in various fund-raising activities. Formerly associated with the Chicago Lying-in Hospital (board member), the American Foundation for the Blind (women’s board member), the Chicago Urban League (women’s board member), the Chicago Lighthouse (president and women’s board member) and the Gateway Foundation (board member), she is currently a member of the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce (Vice Preside of Marketing and Public Relations), the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce (membership committee), the Women’s Initiative in Itasca, the American Institute of Graphic Design (AIGA) and the DuPage Art League. Additionally, she is a member of the Honorary Board of the NAACP DuPage County Illinois ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics), member of the Lakeshore (IL) Chapter of the Links, Inc. and a member of the Western Suburbs Giving Circle.

Golden Divas before you read this dynamic interview that will empower you and uplift you, listen to this powerful song by one of my favorites Whitney Houston!  

I’M EVERY WOMAN

IN CONVERSATION WITH ELYSE KENNARD

C50: Can a woman high-status career such as being the President of her company hurt or enhance her marriage?

EK: Being the President of her own company can enhance her marriage. She will be bringing more income (in sizable amounts) which is always a good thing. If things are going well with the business, she will have a positive attitude which would transfer over to her marriage feeling good about herself feeling good about her husband. She is doing what she loves to do and is being successful at it. The only problem I see is if the husband is not on her same level with what she does, and he might become jealous, envious or worried that she will think less of him and this would be bad for the relationship. (Her business grows, and she outgrows her husband) She thinks she is all of that and she doesn’t need her husband anymore. She wants to be the man. That won’t work if her husband is a real man!

C50: How do you make your marriage work when you own your own company?

EK: You need to allow your husband to understand what is going on with your business…share information about your business with him. Don’t spend all of your time working, forgetting that you DO have a husband when you have deadlines to meet. Granted, you must get your work done but let your husband understand what’s going on. If you have concerns about your business, talk these concerns over with your husband. Keep him in the loop. Even though he’s not involved in the business, keep the lines of communication open.

C50: What is the one thing that is detrimental in your marriage to keep it flourishing?

EK: What can be detrimental to your marriage is if you do not communicate with your spouse. You must communicate! If you don’t, you are lost. He needs to know what’s going on in your world just as you need to know what’s going on in his world. This is key to a solid marriage. I think that both parties need to know that they are wanted and needed. This should be expressed in some form or fashion. You know your husband and what works for him.

C50: Although, you run your own business do you feel your husband views and values of you equate you to being an equal partner in your marriage?

EK: I believe that if everything were equal (the money that I made from my business equaled or came close to my husband’s income) things would be equal, an equal partnership. But if that is not the case, I don’t believe that he would see things as being equal.

C50: Do you or your husband feel that your career has taken too much time away from your marriage?

EK: My husband, Walter, never has given me the impression that he believes that my career has taken too much time away from our marriage. If anything, he has been very instrumental and supportive in helping me grow my business. When I first started, after we got married, I don’t know how my business would have made it without his financial help. Because I didn’t have to worry about money I was able to work on growing my business, getting new clients, which is not an easy task. This was very reassuring to me when things weren’t always going my way. He is very understanding of my work. If my business does well he does well!

C50: When you decided to start your own business was your husband supportive of your dream?

EK: I had only been dating my soon-to-be husband, Walter when I decided to start my own business. I was an art director with CNA Insurance Company when I met Walter. I had also been doing freelance illustrations for Ebony Jr. Magazine. Walter was as an associate editor for Ebony Magazine. That’s where I met him. He did not speak negatively about me quitting my day job to start my own business full time.

C50: Why is it essential to have a balance of marriage and work?

EK: Balance is essential if you want things to work. You can’t just be a workaholic and forget about everything else. I know that when you have your own business that your work never ends because in my case, I am my business. The buck stops with me. But, you can’t forget that there is life outside of your business. You must find time to be with your husband and discuss things that are going on in his life (his business or job). It’s not ALL ABOUT YOU when you’re married.

C50: Has the workplace changes (working a lot of hours) affected your household roles?

EK: Yes and No. It depends on the job and the client. And after being in the business for some time, as I have been, you learn to adjust. I’ve had jobs that were a breeze. The client tells you what they need, and you do it, and maybe you might need to make minor adjustments, and you’re done.

Then, there are the other jobs and the other clients that have you working day and night to come up with exactly what they want. I remember once my husband and I were going to Memphis, Walter’s home, and he had to go without me because I had to make changes on a job that needed to be made before going to press. I had to take a later flight. But that‘s the nature of the beast. In that case, work came first. I had to get the job done, and I did.

The final product was just what my client wanted. Walter understood; however, I didn’t say that he liked it. I still have a copy of that ELCA poster. It still looks good! And household roles…no, except for maybe sometimes Walter will make dinner when I’m busy working…now that’s a real treat!

C50: Do you feel that women who hold a high-status job or own their own business might impact the quality of their marriages?

EK: I think that because of the woman’s position as owner of her own business or high-status job, she expects that she is on the same level as her spouse. It should improve the quality of their marriage because they should both be bringing in comparable salaries, which is always a good thing.

C50: Do you feel that your husband provides emotional, instrumental and tangible support, such as helping with domestic responsibilities?

EK: Walter does provide emotional support. He even helps me with my work. Often-times I will ask him for advice regarding a client’s requests. He is an editor, so if I have copy issues, I ask for his advice and or assistance. He knows that if he assists me with my business concerns, it can only help facilitate him. I won’t be stressed out or worried, which relates to a happy wife and the sooner that I complete my jobs, the sooner that I can work on my domestic responsibilities, which aren’t that many. And that works for Walter. Walter doesn’t ask for much; he’s pretty self-sufficient! As he often says, “I can do it myself.” He makes life EASY!!!

Bonus Question

C50: What is your take on wives with higher status positions; do you feel that they exert long-term effects on their marriages?

EK: It can exert long-term effects on your marriage. There could be resentment, jealousy, and envy because of your success if you don’t know how to work it. You have to know your spouse and what triggers negative behavior. In the end, it’s just you and your husband. If you want your marriage to work, to last, you must, as I said before, “COMMUNICATE,” with your husband. If anything, when your business does well, you’re happy, your husband is happy for you and life is GOOD!!!

There you have it Golden Divas the balance between marriage and work and how it all came together for this enchanting lady Elyse Kennard!