Meet Karen Vick | Chief Guide

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

Hi Karen, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started Island Design Studio Inc. in 2007 for a number of reasons, but the most important was the desire to serve my community. I saw that small and micro-businesses needed consistency in their branding and set out to deliver this, beginning with website design & development. Then, I slowly added additional service offerings over time. Another reason was to have more freedom, flexibility, and time with my son.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As I mentioned before, Island Design Studio Inc. started from a need to serve my community. While this is still the same, it has evolved. I currently do business as Guiding Brands because I have come to realize that I am a guide. I love helping others and am always teaching, leading, and advising, so what better way to signify this than with the name Guiding Brands?

I consider my business a collaborative effort. Over the years, I have worked with many talented people like my friend Steven Sued of Four Quarters Agency, Sonia Morgan of Sonia Morgan Writes, and my son Jamil Vick, who is my idea man and sounding board. Working with others who are skilled in their own right has given me the flexibility to scale up or down and provide the results my clients need to reach their personal and business goals in unique ways.

My goal is to always find the answer to any question that gets thrown at me. I consider myself a problem solver, a guide 🙂

You asked if this has been easy, and I can say heck no! Even now, after almost 17 years, it is not easy. Some things have gotten easier, but there are always unknowns that will set back the most seasoned business owner; the trick is to keep on moving and work through the difficulties with people who have your best interest at heart and who want to see you succeed.

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?
Hmm… Food is at the center of every relationship, so I will list a few of my favorite places to eat.

Chef Rose Jamaican Cuisine in Sunrise is hands down my favorite. Chef Rose cooks fresh ingredients to order with his unique twist. My favorite dish is Jerk Salmon and Ackee with Pumpkin or Plantain Waffles. I take everyone who visits here first!

Temple Street Eatery is another favorite that I got to know because they have catered fundraisers for a charity that is near and dear to my heart – For Jamaica Inc. (forjamaica.org). The owner, Alex, works hard to provide the best Asian American food in a simple, casual setting.

Foxy Brown in Fort Lauderdale has evolved, but it’s still on the list of great food and atmosphere.

Beach House Pompano has a cool vibe right on the water, and the food is always good.

In terms of places to go, the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, for the shoppers in my life – Sawgrass Mills, and although this is not local, it is a favorite of mine – Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. It’s a nice drive with friends and such a peaceful and beautiful place.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many… My son, Jamil Vick, my family, my Mastermind Group – David I. Muir (aka Sexy Man), Susan Lycette Davis (aka Dr. Sue), and Dr. Simone French, and many more who are too many to mention but know who they are.

Website: www.guidingbrands.com

Instagram: @guidingbrands

Linkedin: /in/karen-vick

Youtube: @guidingbrands

Other: The Guiding Brands Podcast on Apple Podcasts – https://www.guidingbrandspodcast.com, Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2aEXtoodV97W80oGfExg4j?si=21a8b23168ef470b, and other podcast apps.

Image Credits
David I. Muir City of Miramar Marketing