067: Kim Alexis Newton On Hallmark, Quilting, and Why It’s Never Too Late to Pursue Your Dreams

Gen X Amplified with Adrion Porter

On this episode of Gen X Amplified, I am joined by the wonderful and amazing Kim Alexis Newton.

Kim is a former Hallmark Cards Inc. corporate executive, quilt artist, board member, and also my fellow Vanderbilt Business School alumni! She is also one of the featured phenoms in the #FabulousOver40 Spotlight Series on LinkedIn.

During this episode, Kim and I chat about her 20-plus years experience working for Hallmark Cards – which was her dream job coming out of business school. And also why and how she decided to leave corporate after many years to pursue her dreams of creating magic and meaningful impact with her art.

About Kim

Kim is a seasoned global marketing executive, board director, advisor, quilt artist, and entrepreneur.

She is also the creator of the Intentional Pause™ Project, a media, product and experience platform helping women embrace “pausing” as a powerful way to achieve their dreams.

Prior to her entrepreneurial journey, Kim spent 20+ years as an executive leader for one of the most iconic brands in the world, Hallmark Cards. During her Hallmark tenure, Kim directly influenced global corporate strategy, and led transformation across a $4B diversified portfolio of top brands.

She has also been recognized multiple times as a top African-American in corporate America.

However, it was toward the end of her stint at Hallmark when Kim reached a mid-career “malaise” inflection point. — and felt complacent, unsatisfied, and overwhelmed with an empty feeling of unfulfilled dreams.

Therefore, Kim transformed that feeling of malaise into mid-career “mastery” — and began maximizing her impact on the world by bringing to life all of her passions including an art studio, The Intentional Pause™ Project, and her line of special handcrafted gift quilts positioned as extraordinary keepsakes for self or others.

Her first piece was actually given to Ms. Oprah Winfrey!

Kim also has 20 years of non-profit board experience, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Big Lots Stores.

Kim is also a proud member of the The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., The Links, Incorporated, and the 2017 Class of Henry Crown Fellows within the Aspen Global Leadership Network at The Aspen Institute.

She also received her BA in Accounting from Fisk University and her MBA from Vanderbilt University, and lives in Kansas City with her husband, Nikki, and their daughter Piper.

Kim’s story is definitely a beacon of inspiration for anyone who is feeling stressed and stuck in their career…

And who desires to weave together their purpose, passions, and professional experiences into a meaningful path forward at any age.

Kim’s Personal Theme Song

• “Bigger” by Beyonce

Thank you for listening!

Thank you so very much for listening to the podcast. There are so many other shows out there, so the fact that you took the time to listen in really means a lot!

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